Together with imec, imec.xpand is looking to transform the global early stage, deep tech venture capital landscape. Independently managed the imec.xpand fund invests in start-ups that benefit significantly from imec’s infrastructure in the development of their technology. All imec.xpand portfolio companies are based on unique technologies that are deemed to give them a competitive advantage in the domains they are active in.
The investments made by imec.xpand are often a catalyst for start-ups to raise additional funding from investors. The first imec.xpand fund invested in 16 companies that, so far, have raised close to EUR 350 million in additional financing. The fund is ranked amongst the top 5 percent most promising early-stage funds in the world.
As of today, the portfolio counts one unicorn, PsiQuantum, and several minicorns. Recent successful capital rounds in PsiQuantum, Spectricity, Celestial AI, Fabric8labs and Axelera AI have highlighted the enormous potential of those innovative semiconductor companies.
Commenting Tom Vanhoutte of imec.xpand said, “It shows that our unique partnership with imec and our ability to raise large rounds of financing in the early stages of development are widely recognised as success drivers for ambitious semiconductor start-ups. This is the first step towards our target of EUR 250 million which will solidify imec.xpand as a major player in the deep tech venture capital ecosystem. We are grateful for the vote of confidence by our existing investors and by the new investors who joined the imec.xpand II fund.”
“Our partnership with imec.xpand helps us to bring breakthrough imec innovations to the market through venturing”, explained Luc Van den hove, CEO of imec. “To turn a revolutionary idea into a commercial success, entrepreneurs need access to advanced infrastructure, expertise, and growth capital. With imec.xpand, we bring these ingredients together to create a breeding ground for the unicorns of tomorrow. The successful first closing of imec.xpand II demonstrates the value of our unique approach.”
