- Black Semiconductor secures EUR 228.7mn in public funding from German Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action and state of North Rhine-Westphalia, alongside EUR 25.7mn in equity funding led by Porsche Ventures and Project A Ventures
- Founded in 2020, Black Semiconductor is developing graphene-based chip technology to enhance data communication, improve performance, energy-efficiency, and reduce manufacturing costs
- Aiming to enable mass production of graphene semiconductors in compliance with industry standards to facilitate chip-to-chip connections and address limitations in silicon chip architecture
- New technology targets transformative applications in data centers, AI, and autonomous driving by overcoming existing barriers in chip technology
- Funding to accelerate R&D initiatives, establish pilot line manufacturing in Aachen, create 90 new high-tech positions, and inaugurate pilot manufacturing facility by 2026
Black Semiconductor Funding: Revolutionizing Semiconductor Technology in Europe
In a groundbreaking move for the European semiconductor industry, Black Semiconductor has secured significant funding to propel the development and deployment of its cutting-edge chip technology. The company, known for its innovative approach to chip design using graphene, has announced a substantial EUR 228.7mn public funding injection from the German Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. This funding, provided over the next 7 years under IPCEI ME/CT, marks one of the largest funding rounds for a deep tech chip manufacturing company in Europe to date.
Revolutionizing Chip Networks with Graphene
Founded in 2020 by Dr. Daniel Schall and Sebastian Schall, Black Semiconductor is on a mission to revolutionize chip networks by leveraging the unique properties of graphene. The company’s innovative chip networks promise to accelerate data communication between chips, leading to enhanced performance, improved energy efficiency, and a significant reduction in manufacturing costs due to 60% fewer production steps required. By enabling mass production of graphene semiconductors while adhering to established industry standards, Black Semiconductor aims to set a new standard in the semiconductor industry.
Overcoming Silicon Chip Limitations for Transformative Applications
Black Semiconductor’s technology goes beyond conventional silicon chip architecture limitations, opening up new possibilities for transformative applications across various industries. From efficient data centers to generative and embedded AI, and even autonomous driving, the company’s innovative approach has the potential to reshape the technological landscape. The optical chip-to-chip connections facilitated by Black Semiconductor’s technology allow chips to seamlessly interact, paving the way for unprecedented levels of integration and performance.
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Driving Innovation and Growth in Europe
Dr. Daniel Schall, co-founder and CEO of Black Semiconductor, expressed gratitude for the support received from both the government and investors, emphasizing the importance of advancing novel technologies within Europe. The investment will enable the company to accelerate product development and establish a 300 mm wafer pilot production facility, driving innovation in computation towards faster, more powerful, cost-efficient, and energy-efficient solutions. As part of IPCEI, Black Semiconductor is committed to contributing to the semiconductor value chain in Europe and believes that this investment will inspire further participation from startups and industry players, fostering a culture of innovation and growth.
The lead investment in Black Semiconductor by Porsche Ventures and Project A Ventures signifies a significant opportunity to harness photonics technology seamlessly integrated into conventional chips for a wide range of industries and future AI applications. With a strong semiconductor business taking shape within Europe, supported by a combination of public and private investors, Black Semiconductor is poised to strengthen domestic competitiveness and bolster the European chip ecosystem.
With the new funding, Black Semiconductor is set to accelerate its research and development initiatives and establish pilot line manufacturing capabilities in Aachen, Germany. This strategic move is a crucial step towards realizing the company’s long-term vision of producing and implementing high-quality graphene in Europe. By planning to inaugurate a pilot manufacturing facility by 2026 and ramp up its workforce from 30 to 120 employees, Black Semiconductor is not only driving innovation but also creating high-tech job opportunities within the region.
Black Semiconductor’s success in securing substantial funding underscores the company’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of semiconductor technology in Europe. With a focus on graphene-based chip networks and a dedication to overcoming existing limitations, Black Semiconductor is poised to drive innovation, foster growth, and shape the future of the semiconductor industry on the continent.
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