Black Semiconductor, a startup developing innovative chip-connecting technology using graphene, has secured €254.4 million ($273 million) in funding. This marks one of the largest investments in a European semiconductor startup to date.
The funding, comprising private and public sources, will support Black’s R&D, the construction of a pilot production facility in Aachen, and global recruitment. The startup aims to produce its first commercial products by 2031.
Germany’s federal government and North-Rhine-Westphalia contributed €228.7 million of the total, under the “Important Project of Common European Interest” provision, which supports significant technological advancements. The remaining €25.7 million came from an equity round led by Porsche Ventures and Project A Ventures, with participation from several other investors, including previous backers like Vsquared Ventures and Onsight Ventures.
Co-founded by brothers Daniel and Sebastian Schall, Black Semiconductor emerged from the University of Aachen. The company focuses on improving chip connectivity, leveraging graphene for photonics, which could significantly enhance efficiency in data centers and cloud computing environments.
Daniel Schall highlighted the strategic importance of this funding in advancing Europe’s technological sovereignty, emphasizing the novelty and potential of their technology. The startup is in discussions with major European chip manufacturers and hyperscaler tech companies to align its development with industry needs.
