Semiconductors & Photonics

TLDR

Belgium's semiconductor and photonics sector is anchored by imec in Leuven, producing spin-offs like Swave Photonics and Vertical Compute backed by imec.xpand.

Overview

Belgium punches well above its weight in semiconductors and photonics, owing almost entirely to imec, the world-leading nanoelectronics research center based in Leuven. With over 1,000 dedicated researchers and four strategic research centers, imec generates a steady stream of spin-off companies commercializing breakthrough chip, photonics, and sensor technologies.

imec.xpand, the independent fund linked to imec, provides the primary capital vehicle for these spin-offs, with EUR 300M under management in Fund II (2024). QBIC also participates in university deep tech spin-offs that touch this sector.

Portfolio companies like Swave Photonics (holographic displays), Vertical Compute (semiconductor architecture), and Eyeo (optoelectronics) represent the current generation of imec-adjacent ventures. The cluster is Leuven-centered but has global commercial reach.