QuantumDiamonds Secures €91 Million for Innovative Chip Inspection Technology
Munich, Germany – QuantumDiamonds, a startup based in Munich, has successfully raised €91 million to advance its groundbreaking diamond-based chip inspection technology. This funding includes €15 million in equity led by World Fund and €76 million in non-dilutive support from the EU Chips Act.
The young company has made headlines as the first startup to gain manufacturing funding from the Chips Act, which has mainly benefited well-established firms like GlobalFoundries and STMicroelectronics. This public funding was recently approved by the European Commission to help address the growing semiconductor needs in Europe.
Currently, Europe produces only 10% of the world’s semiconductors while consuming 20%. This discrepancy highlights the importance of supporting companies like QuantumDiamonds as they strive to enhance local production.
CEO and co-founder Kevin Berghoff stated, “Leading chipmakers have made it clear: they view our technology as essential for tackling yield challenges that traditional systems can’t solve.”
A Unique Opportunity for Startups
Unlike previous beneficiaries of the Chips Act, which include major industry players like Infineon and X-FAB, QuantumDiamonds stands out as a startup making waves in a heavily dominated market.
The semiconductor industry faces significant yield issues. As chips become more complex, spotting defects becomes increasingly difficult. Even a slight improvement in yield can result in substantial cost savings for manufacturers of high-volume chips.
The Role of Diamonds in Chip Inspection
Founded in 2022, QuantumDiamonds employs unique methods that use synthetic diamonds to detect electrical currents and magnetic fields within chips. This innovative approach enables the company to see not just the surface but also the inner workings of semiconductor devices.
Its flagship product, the QDm.1, offers non-destructive, three-dimensional imaging at the nanoscale, allowing manufacturers to quickly identify faults in chip packages without causing damage. What once took weeks to resolve in specialized labs can now be achieved in a matter of minutes.
Future Prospects and Competitive Landscape
In a competitive landscape, QuantumDiamonds faces off against established companies like KLA Corporation and Applied Materials, who focus on traditional inspection methods. Yet, with its unique quantum sensing technology, QuantumDiamonds provides insights that are unavailable through conventional means.
Looking ahead, the semiconductor inspection market is projected to expand from $10.9 billion in 2026 to $20.2 billion by 2035. According to Daria Saharova from World Fund, “Europe’s reliance on foreign technology can be bridged by firms like QuantumDiamonds, potentially making it a leader in this crucial sector.”
The startup has plans to establish a €152 million production facility in eastern Munich, set to open in the latter half of 2026. The big question, however, is whether QuantumDiamonds can secure profitable contracts before larger competitors show interest in acquiring its technology, as seen with the recent acquisition of its rival Qnami.
As QuantumDiamonds speeds ahead in its mission, the semiconductor industry watches closely to see how this innovative company will shape the future of chip production in Europe.
