Imec.xpand, an independent global venture capital fund, today announced the launch of a new €300 million fund aimed at accelerating the growth of transformative semiconductor and nanotechnology innovations. Launched as a collaborative effort with imec, the world-leading R&D and innovation hub in nanoelectronics, this fund will invest in startups that have the potential to be globally disruptive within their target domains. The fund was also launched to fuel semiconductor innovation beyond traditional applications and drive the next-generation technologies ten years ahead.
The team is characterized by high technological expertise and a hands-on approach. And with connections to imec, this places xpand in the perfect position to assess technology risk in early-stage deep tech companies.
Imec.xpand invests globally across all stages, transforming semiconductor and nanotechnology innovations into market-ready solutions. Focused on utilizing imec’s expertise, the fund targets breakthrough technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR), and photonics. For life sciences, imec.xpand seeks opportunities to advance cell therapy, sequencing, neuromodulation and other applications that will revolutionize medical diagnostics and treatments.
imec.xpand’s fund was launched in 2017 with the strong support of imec. Since then, imec.xpand has attracted a loyal base of international financial and strategic investors. Over the last few years, imec.xpand has built a strong track record of investing in game-changing companies. So far, imec.xpand has invested in 23 companies that have raised nearly €1.5 billion in financing, including two unicorns.
Imec.xpand’s portfolio companies are developing cutting-edge, differentiated technologies that give them a global competitive advantage in their respective markets. And noteworthy imec.xpand portfolio companies include Celestial AI, a Silicon Valley company that recently raised $175 million to advance its optical compute and memory fabric solution for AI infrastructure; PsiQuantum, a frontrunner in the race to develop the first practical quantum computer; and Swave Photonics, developing a unique holographic extended reality chip technology designed to disrupt 3D holographic imaging and spatial computing.
KEY QUOTE:
“Imec.xpand is not just about funding startups, it’s about building companies that can lead the next wave of technological transformation. 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.”
– Tom Vanhoutte, partner at imec.xpand
