Hummink has raised €15 million in new funding to accelerate the global deployment of its micronic precision printing technology, positioning the Paris-based deep-tech company as a pivotal player in the future of semiconductor and advanced display manufacturing. The round was co-led by KBC Focus Fund, Cap Horn, and Bpifrance, with historic backers including Elaia Partners, Sensinnovat, Beeyond, and the French Tech Seed fund, managed by Bpifrance on behalf of the French government as part of France 2030. The European Innovation Council Fund also participated.
As microelectronics become increasingly central to artificial intelligence and high-performance computing, the cost of sub-micron defects in chips and displays has grown exponentially. Even minute flaws can compromise entire production batches, resulting in billions of euros in annual losses. Hummink is addressing this challenge with its patented High-Precision Capillary Printing technology, which enables manufacturers to print metals and functional materials with unprecedented accuracy while simultaneously repairing microscopic defects in real-time.
Founded in 2020 as a spin-off from École Normale Supérieure – PSL and CNRS, Hummink was created by materials scientist Amin M’Barki and hardware startup operator Pascal Boncenne. Its technology, often described as operating like the world’s smallest fountain pen, writes at the nanoscopic level through a precisely controlled flow of material. This process enables the construction and correction of circuitry directly at the sub-micron scale, opening significant opportunities in semiconductor packaging, emerging memory technologies, and next-generation displays.
While traditional lithography remains critical in electronics manufacturing, it inevitably generates a proportion of defects that limit yields and increase material waste. Hummink’s tools act as nanoscopic surgical instruments that complement lithography by detecting and correcting those flaws. The company’s approach enhances output, minimizes scrap, and promotes more sustainable production practices.
Hummink’s first primary commercial application targets OLED displays for smartphones and laptops, a category in which up to 30 percent of annual production is discarded due to microscopic imperfections. These losses are estimated at €16 billion and represent widespread inefficiency in the display ecosystem. Early testing indicates that Hummink’s system can correct a majority of these defects and deliver approximately a 10 percent improvement in manufacturing yields.
The company currently generates revenue through sales of its NAZCA demonstrator, a first-generation printing machine designed for R&D environments. NAZCA systems are installed in laboratories across Europe, Asia, and the United States, including Duke University, where researchers recently achieved the first fully recyclable, sub-micrometer printed electronics published in Nature Electronics. In addition to hardware, Hummink produces proprietary conductive inks customized for high-precision applications.
The deep-tech company operates with teams across the United States, Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea. It expects to double both revenue and workforce by 2026 as demand for its industrial modules and specialized inks accelerates. The latest investment will support commercial scaling, expansion of manufacturing capabilities, and the development of Hummink’s industrial printing module. The goal is complete integration of the technology into semiconductor and display fabrication lines worldwide.
As industry complexity increases, manufacturing success will increasingly hinge on the ability to operate at nanoscopic precision. Hummink aims to make its sub-micron printing platform a core component of global electronics production, transforming how defects are corrected and how advanced components are built for years to come.
KEY QUOTES
“Our mission is to bring precision where it has never been possible before. Microelectronics is at the heart of the AI revolution, and every micron matters.”
Amin M’Barki, Co-Founder and CEO of Hummink
“With HPCaP, we give manufacturers a practical way to improve yields, cut waste, and make advanced technologies more sustainable.”
Pascal Boncenne, Co-Founder and COO of Hummink
“Hummink stands out as an exceptional deeptech company that bridges academic excellence with industrial relevance. Their High-Precision Capillary Printing (HPCaP) technology is not only a breakthrough in nanofabrication—it’s a game-changer for defect repair in OLED and semiconductor manufacturing, where sub-5 micron precision is critical and unmet. We’re proud to support Hummink’s journey from lab to fab, and believe their scalable business model and strong team position them to become a key enabler of next-generation electronics manufacturing.”
Nuno Carvalho, Investment Director at KBC Focus Fund
“Yield improvement is becoming one of the most critical levers in advanced manufacturing. Hummink’s combination of precision, speed, and scalability makes it a foundational technology for the next generation of microelectronics.”
Francois Charbonnier, Investment Director at Bpifrance
“Breakthroughs like Hummink’s redefine what’s possible in manufacturing. Their ink-based nanoprinting platform unlocks a new paradigm of control and scalability, bridging the gap between research and industrial scale, a true cornerstone for the next wave of deeptech innovation.”
Flora Coppolani, Partner at CapHorn
