Imec.xpand, an independent fund, has partnered with Belgian research giant imec in order to make strategic investments. Founded in 2017, the fund has gained a loyal base of investors and recently closed their second fund with €300m aimed at investing in transformative semiconductor and nanotechnology innovations.
In 2020, imec.xpand made an investment in Celestial AI, one of their early investments. Celestial AI, a US company, is developing optical interconnects in silicon to address the memory bandwidth issue. Working closely with imec, the fund focuses on investing in deep tech and health tech startups globally, regardless of their location. By leveraging imec’s expertise and ecosystem of partners, imec.xpand strives to minimize technological risks and identify promising opportunities.
Jonathan Fajardo Cortes, a principal at imec.xpand, emphasizes the importance of understanding deep tech and the path to market success. He believes that European deep tech startups suffer from a lack of financial support compared to their US counterparts. By investing globally, imec.xpand aims to provide European companies with exposure to North American and Asian markets to enhance their growth potential.
With a focus on technology, imec.xpand aims to educate investors about the challenges and opportunities in deep tech investments. Leveraging imec’s extensive research capabilities and manufacturing expertise, the fund provides valuable insights and support to startups in scaling their technologies successfully. This unique combination of expertise in deep tech and supply chain management sets imec.xpand apart from other VC funds.