Solidigm could raise $15 billion in IPO, people familiar say
Held pitch meetings this week for IPO roles, people familiar say
SK Hynix said last month it was weighing steps to boost Solidigm competitiveness
NEW YORK, Sept 25 (Reuters) - Chipmaker SK Hynix's 000660.KS Solidigm is considering an initial public offering as early as next year that could value the US subsidiary at up to $150 billion, according to three people familiar with the matter.

Solidigm held pitch meetings this week with investment banks competing for roles on the IPO, in a process known as a "bake-off," one of the people and a fourth person said, marking a concrete step toward what could become the largest-ever US semiconductor listing.

The company could raise $15 billion in the IPO, the three people said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss confidential matters. The plans, including the size of deal and timing, remain at an early stage and could change depending on market conditions, they added.

The listing would rank as one of the largest semiconductor IPOs on record and could provide a standalone valuation for a business that has become a key part of SK Hynix's storage portfolio. It would also seek to tap strong investor demand for companies tied to artificial intelligence infrastructure, which has fuelled gains in semiconductor and hardware stocks.

Solidigm, based in Rancho Cordova, California, is the US-based NAND flash memory and solid-state drive (SSD) subsidiary of South Korea's SK Hynix Inc.

Solidigm declined to comment. SK Hynix did not immediately respond to a request for comment.