Semiconductor Intellectual Property (IP) Core Licensing Market Size, Share, Opportunities, And Trends By IP Core Type (Hard IP Core, Soft IP Core), By Design Type (Processor IP, Memory IP, Interface IP, Others), By End User (Consumer Electronics, Telecommunication & Data Centres, Automotive, Aerospace & Defence, Others), And By Geography – Forecasts From 2025 To 2030

Semiconductor Intellectual Property Core Licensing Market Size:

The semiconductor intellectual property (IP) core licensing market is anticipated to expand at a high CAGR over the forecast period.

The semiconductor intellectual property (IP) core licensing market is experiencing strong growth due to the increase in complexity of chip designs. Another factor expanding the market is he accelerating demand for customised, high-performance semiconductor solutions across industries. Companies have started using more advanced System-on-Chip (SoC) and Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) designs. These IP cores also cover areas such as processors, interconnects, memory, multimedia, and security. It will also allow semiconductor firms to focus on innovation while building on proven, modular building blocks.

Furthermore, this made the reuse of pre-verified IP cores essential to reduce time consumption and development cost. The licensed IP cores cover areas such as processors, interconnects, memory, multimedia, and security. The rapid adoption of technologies such as AI, machine learning, 5G, and IoT is also expanding the market. The semiconductor IP core licensing model enhances design flexibility and accelerates innovation. It also helps in standardising essential functions across the global semiconductor ecosystem.IP core licensing is considered a key driver of scalability and competitiveness in the semiconductor industry.

Semiconductor Intellectual Property (IP) Core Licensing Market Overview & Scope:

The semiconductor intellectual property (IP) core licensing market is segmented by:

• IP Core Type: Hard IP cores hold a significant share of the semiconductor IP core licensing market. This is because they offer optimised and silicon-verified performance. They are also essential for high-speed, high-reliability applications. They are also used in advanced chips where area, power, and timing everything is neatly controlled.
• Design Type: Processors IP holds a significant share of the semiconductor IP core licensing market. This is because processors are the fundamental building blocks of almost all modern electronic devices. It is used in all kinds of devices such as smartphones, automotive systems, smart appliances, industrial equipment, or data centres.
• End User: Consumer electronics hold a significant share of the semiconductor IP core licensing market because they have high production volumes and rapid innovation cycles. Devices such as smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, wearables, and gaming consoles require highly integrated and specialised semiconductor solutions
• Region: The Asia-Pacific semiconductor IP core licensing market is rapidly expanding due to the region has a booming semiconductor industry. Another factor leading to the growth of this market is increasing government support and the rapid growth of advanced technologies. Countries like China and India have become hubs for semiconductor innovation.

Top Trends Shaping the Semiconductor Intellectual Property (IP) Core Licensing Market

• Rise of RISC-V-Based IP Cores: A trend in the semiconductor IP core licensing market is the rise in the adoption of open-source RISC-V architecture. Companies like Andes Technology and SiFive are providing RISC-V processor IP cores for ASIC designs. This shift supports cost-effective, customizable solutions for AI, IoT, and automotive applications
• Increased Focus on Security-Focused IP- Another significant trend is that the semiconductor IP core licensing market is growing concerns over cybersecurity in IoT, automotive, and defence applications.  This increases demand for IP cores with embedded security systems.
• Demand for High-Bandwidth Interface IPs: IP cores, such as PCIe, Ethernet, and SerDes, have an increase in demand due to he expansion of 5G, AI, and data centre applications. These IPs enable ASICs to handle massive data structures.

Semiconductor Intellectual Property (IP) Core Licensing Market Growth Drivers vs. Challenges:

Drivers:

• Rising Demand for Advanced Consumer Electronics: One of the key drivers of the semiconductor IP core licensing market is the rising demand for advanced consumer electronics. The adoption of smartphones, wearables, tablets, gaming consoles, and smart home devices fuels demand for high-performance, energy-efficient semiconductor IPs. IP core reduces development time and costs for consumer device manufacturers. According to NITI Aayog’s report on “Electronics: Powering India’s Participation in Global Value Chains”, India’s electronics market is forecasted to grow from USD 101 billion in 2023 to USD to USD 278 billion by 2030.
• Expansion of 5G and IoT Technologies: Another key driver of the semiconductor IP core licensing market is the growing adoption of  5G and IoT technologies. Companies are now able to offer video scalers, high-efficiency AV1 codecs, and high-speed communication blocks. This market is helping 5G and IoT experiences by integrating advanced multimedia processing and real-time data communication into compact, power-efficient chips. According to 5G Americas, in 2024, 5G had 2.25 billion connections worldwide. By the end of the year 2024, the United States and Canada combined accounted for 182 million 5G connections, showing a 20% increase from the prior year.

Challenges:

• IP Theft and Counterfeiting Risks: One of the major challenges of the semiconductor IP core licensing market is the risk of intellectual property theft and counterfeiting. It threatens both the integrity and value of licensed IP. IP cores have high commercial and technological value, which makes them attractive targets for unauthorised replication or misuse. Regions with inconsistent enforcement of IP protection laws are considered highly. The companies that invest heavily in digital rights management and licensing controls are hugely impacted.

Semiconductor Intellectual Property (IP) Core Licensing Market Regional Analysis:

• North America: North America’s semiconductor (IP) core licensing market is witnessing strong growth due to the rise in demand for custom chip designs and the rise in complexity in semiconductor manufacturing. Innovation in sectors such as automotive, consumer electronics, AI, and telecommunications is another factor that is pushing the market demand. In the United States, this market is expanding due to the presence of leading semiconductor companies, robust R&D ecosystems, and high adoption of advanced technologies. Companies are increasingly licensing IP cores for processors, memory interfaces, security features, and connectivity solutions.

Semiconductor Intellectual Property (IP) Core Licensing Market Competitive Landscape

The market has many notable players, including. Imagination Technologies, Silvaco Inc., Andes Technology Corporation, Ceva Inc., MIPS Technologies, SiFive Inc., Arteris Inc., Menta S.A.S., Zipcores, Allergo DVTamong others                                            

• Product Launch: In May 2025., Siemens announced the launch of Solido IP validation Suite Software. This software will help reduce the consumption of time by validating IP across various types of platforms and formats.
• Product Launch: In March 2024, Arteris announced the launch of Ncore cache coherent network-on-chip (NoC) IP, leading to the acceleration of system-on-chip (SoC) creation. Ncoe helps in the fast integration of hardware accelerators into a coherent domain. Ncore can support multiple processor IPs such as RISC-V and Armv9 Cortex.

Semiconductor Intellectual Property (IP) Core Licensing Market Segmentation:

By IP Core Type

• Hard IP Core
• Soft IP Core

By Design Type

• Processor IP
• Memory IP
• Interface IP
• Others

By End User

• Consumer Electronics
• Telecommunication & Data Centres
• Automotive
• Aerospace & Defence
• Others

By Region

• North America
  • USA
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• South America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Others
• Europe
  • United Kingdom
  • Germany
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Others
• Middle East & Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE
  • Others
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • Thailand
  • Others

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

2. MARKET SNAPSHOT

2.1. Market Overview

2.2. Market Definition

2.3. Scope of the Study

2.4. Market Segmentation

3. BUSINESS LANDSCAPE

3.1. Market Drivers

3.2. Market Restraints

3.3. Market Opportunities

3.4. Porter’s Five Forces Analysis

3.5. Industry Value Chain Analysis

3.6. Policies and Regulations

3.7. Strategic Recommendations

4. TECHNOLOGICAL OUTLOOK

5. Semiconductor Intellectual Property (IP) Core Licensing  Market  by IP CORE type

5.1. Introduction

5.2. Hard IP  Core

5.3. Soft IP Core

6. Semiconductor Intellectual Property (IP) Core Licensing  Market BY Design TYPE

6.1. Introduction

6.2. Processor IP

6.3. Memory IP

6.4. Interface IP

6.5. Others

7. Semiconductor Intellectual Property (IP) Core Licensing  Market BY End-user

7.1. Introduction

7.2. Consumer Electronics

7.3. Telecommunication & Data Centres

7.4. Automotive

7.5. Aerospace & Defence

7.6. Others

8.  SEMICONDUCTOR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (IP) CORE LICENSING  MARKET BY GEOGRAPHY

8.1. Introduction

8.2. North America

8.2.1. USA

8.2.2. Canada

8.2.3. Mexico

8.3. South America

8.3.1. Brazil

8.3.2. Argentina

8.3.3. Others

8.4. Europe

8.4.1. United Kingdom

8.4.2. Germany

8.4.3. France

8.4.4. Italy

8.4.5. Spain

8.4.6. Others

8.5. Middle East & Africa

8.5.1. Saudi Arabia

8.5.2. UAE

8.5.3. Others

8.6. Asia Pacific

8.6.1. China

8.6.2. India

8.6.3. Japan

8.6.4. South Korea

8.6.5. Thailand

8.6.6. Others

9. COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT AND ANALYSIS

9.1. Major Players and Strategy Analysis

9.2. Market Share Analysis

9.3. Mergers, Acquisitions, Agreements, and Collaborations

9.4. Competitive Dashboard

10. COMPANY PROFILES

10.1. Imagination Technologies

10.2. Silvaco Inc.

10.3. Andes Technology Corporation

10.4. Ceva Inc.

10.5. MIPS Technologies

10.6. SiFive Inc.

10.7. Arteris Inc

10.8. Menta S.A.S

10.9. Zipcores

10.10. Allergo DVT

11. APPENDIX

11.1. Currency

11.2. Assumptions

11.3. Base and Forecast Years Timeline

11.4. Key benefits for the stakeholders

11.5. Research Methodology

11.6. Abbreviations

Imagination Technologies

Silvaco Inc.

Andes Technology Corporation

Ceva Inc.

MIPS Technologies

SiFive Inc.

Arteris Inc

Menta S.A.S

Zipcores

Allergo DVT