The EU wants to strengthen Europe’s semiconductor industry through the Chips Act. Billions are being poured into infrastructure like Max IV, Pronano, and NanoLund in Lund — one of the few European cities seriously trying to challenge Asia. But without private capital, the effort risks stalling.
Three Lund-based companies show both the promise and the problem.
AlixLabs has developed technology to shrink semiconductors like transistors and memory. They are building a pilot facility in Lund to handle wafers for global players like Intel and Taiwan’s UMC. But their SEK 165M round has proven hard to fill in Europe. “Interest in Asia is much greater,” says CEO Jonas Sundqvist, who keeps the round open for overseas investors.
A few blocks away, NordAmps is raising SEK 65M for nanowire transistors that boost analog circuits with higher speed and lower energy use.
“The Chips Act is good, but it has not really broken through with investors here,” says CEO Jan Andersson. Finland, he notes, shows more interest than Sweden.
Neighboring Hexagem has shifted to micro-LED technology for advanced displays. CEO Mikael Björk agrees that capital is scarce: “Investors are just as cautious as before.” Most of their funding so far has come from EU grants, but those sources are drying up.
The paradox is clear: Europe has the labs, the policy, and the technology. Yet Asian investors are quicker to act, leaving Lund’s startups caught between global opportunity and local hesitation.
This is a summary of the article in Rapidus, read the article here (in Swe)
