Nearfield Instruments: Leading the Charge in Semiconductor Innovation with €135 Million Funding

July 18, 2024, 9:32 pm
Nearfield Instruments
Nearfield Instruments
3DB2CDesignDevelopmentElectronicsMarketProductionResearchScienceService
Founded date: 2016
Total raised: $161.98M
Nearfield Instruments, a prominent player in the semiconductor manufacturing industry, recently announced the successful closure of a landmark €135 million Series-C funding round. This significant achievement underscores the company's commitment to advancing state-of-the-art Metrology & Inspection (M&I) solutions for the semiconductor sector. The oversubscribed funding round, led by esteemed investors Walden Catalyst and Temasek, along with co-investor M&G Investments, showcases the industry's confidence in Nearfield's innovative approach to addressing the growing complexities in advanced semiconductor manufacturing.

Nearfield's cutting-edge QUADRA 3D metrology system stands out as a game-changer in the industry, offering non-destructive, high-throughput, and high-resolution metrology capabilities. With this technology fully integrated into the first major high-volume semiconductor manufacturing fab, Nearfield has solidified its position as a trailblazer in critical metrology for leading-edge nodes. The company's strategic partnerships and collaborations with major chip manufacturers globally have further reinforced its position as a key player in the semiconductor equipment market.

Dr. Hamed Sadeghian, Co-Founder and CEO of Nearfield Instruments, expressed his enthusiasm for the successful integration of the QUADRA 3D metrology system and highlighted the company's readiness to meet the escalating demand for Metrology & Inspection solutions in the coming years. The substantial funding secured in this round will enable Nearfield to enhance its production capacity, expand its product portfolio, and strengthen its foothold in the semiconductor industry.

The recognition of Nearfield's achievements extends beyond the funding round, with industry experts acknowledging the company's pivotal role in advancing semiconductor manufacturing. As the second largest capital raise in the semiconductor fabrication equipment market in Europe and the US in the past five years, Nearfield's success is a testament to its dedication to innovation and excellence.

Young Sohn, Founding Managing Partner at Walden Catalyst, emphasized the importance of advanced semiconductors in driving global innovation and growth. With the industry moving towards Advanced Lithography and 3D Integration, the demand for new process control tools to enable higher yield and throughput is more critical than ever. Nearfield's metrology solutions are poised to address these challenges and accelerate the growth of next-generation semiconductor devices.

Situated in the thriving Dutch ecosystem of semiconductor innovation and investments, Nearfield is well-positioned to capitalize on the industry's projected growth, expected to reach USD 1 trillion in global revenue by 2029. The company's deep-tech investment round in the Netherlands not only highlights its leadership in the semiconductor sector but also underscores the country's prominence in semiconductor technology on a global scale.

Eric Meurice, Chairman of the Nearfield Instruments Supervisory Board, commended the company's efforts in providing unique solutions to meet the industry's metrology and inspection needs for the most advanced nodes. The continued support of shareholders and the addition of new industry-leading investors further solidify Nearfield's position as a leader in Metrology & Inspection.

Nearfield Instruments, a spin-off of Dutch research institute TNO, is at the forefront of bridging the semiconductor industry's metrology and inspection challenges with innovative process control nanometrology solutions. Their groundbreaking technology, which combines high-resolution with high-throughput capabilities, is essential for the production of advanced semiconductor nodes. With headquarters in Rotterdam and offices in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, and Pyeongtaek, South Korea, Nearfield is poised to drive the future of semiconductor manufacturing.

In conclusion, Nearfield Instruments' recent funding success marks a significant milestone in the company's journey towards shaping the future of semiconductor manufacturing. With a focus on innovation, collaboration, and excellence, Nearfield is set to lead the charge in advancing critical metrology solutions for the semiconductor industry.