Europe is on a mission to enhance its domestic semiconductor sector, with Black Semiconductor leading the charge for next-gen chip technology. The startup has just secured 254.4 million euros ($274 million) in investments, predominantly from the German government. This significant funding injection signals a growing commitment from Europe towards bolstering its semiconductor capabilities.
The German Ministry of Economic Affairs and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany have poured 228.7 million euros of public funds into Black Semiconductor. Additionally, Porsche Ventures and venture capital firm Project A have contributed 25.7 million euros in equity financing. This financial backing will fuel the establishment of a pilot production facility in Aachen, Germany, with plans for full-scale manufacturing by 2031. Black Semiconductor also aims to ramp up its team size from 30 to 120 employees by 2026.
The investment in Black Semiconductor highlights Europe’s aspiration to stay competitive with the U.S., where substantial funding has been allocated to bolster chip manufacturing domestically. While Europe is home to key semiconductor players like ASML in the Netherlands, it has historically lagged behind in manufacturing capabilities compared to leading Asian companies such as TSMC and Samsung.
Daniel Schall, the CEO of Black Semiconductor, emphasized the importance of Europe carving out its space in semiconductor technology. He pointed out Europe’s strength in chip design and highlighted the company’s focus on next-generation technologies. By utilizing graphene to enable chip communication through light transmission instead of electricity, Black Semiconductor is poised to revolutionize chip efficiency and speed.
Schall reiterated the significance of the German government’s investment in Black Semiconductor, citing the company’s innovative approach and advanced technology. With a strategic emphasis on leveraging graphene’s properties as a lightweight, robust material and efficient conductor of electricity, Black Semiconductor is pushing the boundaries of chip technology in Europe.
Source: [CNBC – Black Semiconductor Secures $274 Million in Investment for Its European Semiconductor Expansion Efforts](https://www.cnbc.com/2024/06/12/black-semiconductor-raises-274-million-in-funding-in-europe-chip-push.html)
