Leuven, Belgium-based imec.xpand, an independent global venture capital fund, on Wednesday announced the launch of a new €300M fund to accelerate the growth of transformative semiconductor and nanotechnology innovations.
The fund has been established in collaboration with imec, the world-leading R&D and innovation hub in nanoelectronics.
Focusing on breakthrough technologies
With a focus on leveraging imec’s expertise, the fund targets breakthrough technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR), and photonics.
In the field of life sciences, the VC is looking for opportunities to advance cell therapy, sequencing, neuromodulation, and other applications that have the potential to revolutionise medical diagnostics and treatments.
“Imec.xpand is not just about funding startups, it’s about building companies that can lead the next wave of technological transformation,” says Tom Vanhoutte, partner at imec.xpand.
“With this fund, we are dedicated to advancing the semiconductor industry by empowering startups to bring innovative technologies to market faster. The combination of our venture capital and international network helps unicorns grow amid the global race for semiconductor supremacy,” adds Vanhoutte.
The VC’s portfolio companies benefit greatly from the environment, as they get access to the state-of-the-art cleanroom facility, which is worth over €2B, extensive network, leading multi-disciplinary expertise, and the possibility for low-volume manufacturing.
Some of the noteworthy portfolio companies include:
- Celestial AI is a Palo Alto-based company that recently raised $175M to advance its optical computing and memory fabric solution for AI infrastructure.
- PsiQuantum is a frontrunner in the race to develop the first practical quantum computer.
- Swave Photonics is developing a unique holographic extended reality chip technology designed to disrupt 3D holographic imaging and spatial computing.
imec.xpand: VC dedicated to early-stage semiconductor innovation
Imec.xpand is a global independent venture capitalist dedicated to early-stage semiconductor innovation.
The company’s funds target ambitious deep tech startups where the knowledge, expertise, and infrastructure of imec can play a determining role in their growth.
To date, the VC has invested in 23 companies that have raised almost €1.5B in financing, including two unicorns.
Read the orginal article: https://siliconcanals.com/news/imec-xpand-announces-300m-fund/
