- Nearfield Instruments has raised $148 million in Series C funding as the AI boom drives demand for the industry.
- The company planned to use the funding to expand its R&D capabilities and accelerate the development of new semiconductor tools.
OUR TAKE
Nearfield Instruments, a Dutch company specialising in metrology and inspection solutions for the semiconductor industry, recently raised $148 million in a Series C funding round. This investment, led by US-based Walden Catalyst Management and Singapore’s state-owned investment firm Temasek Holdings, reflects the growing demand driven by the artificial intelligence boom. The influx of capital puts Nearfield Instruments on a promising path to becoming a unicorn by 2026, as co-founder and CEO Hamed Sadeghian pointed out. Given the company’s strategic expansions and innovative contributions to a critical sector, this round of funding not only underscores Nearfield’s potential, but also indicates robust confidence in the growth of the semiconductor industry driven by AI advancements.
—Heidi Luo, BTW reporter
What happened
Dutch chip machine maker Nearfield Instruments has raised $148 million in a Series C funding round to ramp up production and bring several tools to market faster as the artificial intelligence boom drives demand for the industry.
The investment was led by Walden Catalyst Management, a US-based venture capital firm, and Temasek Holdings, a prominent investor from Singapore. The funds will be used to expand the company’s research and development capabilities in the semiconductor industry and to bring several new products to market.
“Nearfield Instruments expects to benefit from increasing demand from AI users in the semiconductor industry. The company is on track to become a unicorn by 2026,” said co-founder and chief executive officer Hamed Sadeghian.
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Why it’s important
Nearfield Instruments has carved out a niche in the highly competitive market for chip manufacturing equipment, traditionally dominated by industry giants such as ASML and Applied Materials. As a rare startup in this sector, Nearfield’s advanced tools measure and inspect silicon wafers to meet the stringent standards required for AI processors. This technology is essential as chip manufacturing becomes increasingly complex.
The company’s strategic engagements with major manufacturers such as Samsung Electronics also highlight its growing influence and critical role in the industry. This is reinforced by the expanding market for AI chips, which is expected to grow by 120% this year to around $110 billion, according to research by the Yole Group.
Founded in 2016, Nearfield now employs 170 staff and is establishing presence in South Korea. As chip production becomes more complex, demand for Nearfield’s inspection equipment is expected to increase.
