An independent global venture capital fund, Imec.xpand, recently unveiled its latest initiative – a €300 million fund aimed at accelerating the development of groundbreaking semiconductor and nanotechnology solutions.
In partnership with the nanoelectronics R&D powerhouse imec, the fund will channel investments into startups poised to disrupt the global market in their respective domains.
This new fund is poised to push the boundaries of semiconductor applications, propelling next-generation technologies that are anticipated to be a decade ahead of the curve.
Imec.xpand has a global reach, investing in ventures at various stages to transition semiconductor and nanotechnology innovations from concept to commercial reality.
Leveraging imec’s world-renowned expertise, the fund is scouting for groundbreaking advances in areas such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, augmented and virtual reality, photonics, and life sciences. These include fields like cell therapy, sequencing, neuromodulation, and medical diagnostics and treatments that hold the potential to redefine the medical landscape.
Tom Vanhoutte, partner at imec.xpand, expressed the fund’s broader mission:
Imec.xpand is not just about funding startups; it’s about nurturing companies poised to spearhead the next technological revolution.
We’re committed to fostering semiconductor industry progress by enabling startups to launch their innovative technologies rapidly. Our venture capital support coupled with our international network positions unicorns for growth in the intense competition for semiconductor leadership,Vanhoutte explained.
The inception of the first imec.xpand fund in 2017 marked the start of a strategic endeavor. To date, imec.xpand has infused capital into 23 companies, which collectively have secured nearly €1.5 billion in financing, including two unicorns.
The portfolio of imec.xpand is composed of companies at the forefront of technology, developing unique technologies that secure them a competitive edge on the global stage. Notable examples from the portfolio include Swave Photonics, Pulsify Medical, and Spectricity.
