Diamfab Raises €8.7 Million in Funding Round

April 1, 2024 : Diamfab, a Grenoble-based startup specializing in diamond semiconductor technology, has secured €8.7 million in its first round of funding. This significant investment round marks a crucial milestone for the company as it progresses towards commercializing its innovative technology.

The funding round was led by Asterion Ventures, which manages the French Tech Seed fund on behalf of the French government as part of the France 2030 initiative. This initiative spearheads French technological and industrial advancements. Additional participants in the funding round included Kreaxi, with the Avenir Industrie Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes regional fund, Better Angle, Hello Tomorrow, and Grenoble Alpes Métropole.

Diamfab was established as a spin-off from the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) after 30 years of research and development into synthetic diamond growth. Diamonds possess unique properties that make them highly suitable for semiconductor applications. These properties include exceptional thermal conductivity, high chemical resistance, and the ability to withstand extreme voltages. Diamfab’s technology focuses on developing wafer-thin diamond substrates to serve as a foundation for next-generation power semiconductors.

The €8.7 million raised will empower Diamfab to establish a pilot line for production using standardized wafer sizes. This pilot line will serve a dual purpose: first, it will enable the pre-industrialization of the company’s technology, taking a significant step towards commercial viability. Second, it will expedite the development process, allowing Diamfab to optimize its production techniques and refine its product offerings.

Looking towards the future, Diamfab anticipates that its diamond semiconductor technology will be used in various sectors. These sectors include automotive manufacturing, renewable energy production, and the burgeoning field of quantum technologies. The successful utilization of diamond in these applications has the potential to revolutionize various industries by enabling the development of more efficient, powerful, and durable electronic devices.

The investment in Diamfab reflects a growing global interest in exploring alternative materials for semiconductor production. While silicon remains the dominant material in the industry, its limitations are becoming increasingly apparent as technological advancements demand even greater performance and efficiency. With its superior properties, Diamond is poised to emerge as a viable alternative, and Diamfab is at the forefront of this technological shift.