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Black Semiconductor
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Graphene photonics enable optical chip interconnects
Black Semiconductor
Work Here?
Graphene photonics enable optical chip interconnects
Overview
Black Semiconductor develops chips that combine graphene-based photonics with traditional electronics to enable optical chip-to-chip communication. Its process embeds optical components into the outer layers of CMOS-like chips, allowing electrons to be converted to photons and back via graphene acting as a translator. This integration aims to overcome interconnect bottlenecks, enabling multiple chips to act as a single faster, more energy-efficient system for AI hardware, data centers, HPC, and autonomous driving. The company plans wafer-scale fabrication with a 300mm FabONE in Aachen, targeting pilot production by 2027 and mass production by 2031, supported by European funding and equity investors.
About Black Semiconductor
Industries
Hardware
Industrial & Manufacturing
AI & Machine Learning
Company Size
51-200
Company Stage
Growth Equity (Non-Venture Capital)
Total Funding
$287.4M
Headquarters
Aachen, Germany
Founded
2020
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Graphene photonics overcomes bandwidth, heat, and latency limits of silicon, targeting AI, data centers, and autonomous driving.
- The CMOS-compatible process reduces manufacturing steps by 60%, significantly cutting costs and improving yield for optical interfaces.
- Secured €254.4M Series A funding in June 2024 to scale production and create ~120 high-tech jobs in Aachen by 2028.
What critics are saying
- Graphene quality and scalability failure in FabONE pilot production within 12–18 months has 40–60% probability and high impact.
- Direct competition from Lightelligence and Teramount with superior silicon photonics market traction has 50–70% probability in 9–15 months.
- IPCEI ME/CT public funding delayed or reduced due to EU budget cuts has 25–45% probability in 12–18 months, crippling development.
What makes Black Semiconductor unique
- Black Semiconductor uniquely integrates graphene photonics directly onto CMOS wafers, eliminating traditional electronic interconnects.
- The company's IGP technology enables chips to compute with electricity and communicate with photons on a single chip.
- Black Semiconductor is the only firm enabling native photonics integration onto glass panel interposers for limitless data throughput.
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Funding
Total Funding
$287.4M
Above
Industry Average
Funded Over
4 Rounds
Industry standards
Benefits
Health Insurance
Flexible Work Hours
Stock Options
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↑ 3%1 year growth
↑ 4%2 year growth
↑ 4%Black Semiconductor acquires material specialist Applied Nanolayers to accelerate technology development of energy-efficient, high-performance chip technology.
Black Semiconductor, a chip connectivity pioneer integrating photonics and electronics on the same wafer, has announced the acquisition of Applied Nanolayers (ANL).
Black Semiconductor is Hiring for 20 Jobs on Simplify!
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About Black Semiconductor
Industries
Hardware
Industrial & Manufacturing
AI & Machine Learning
Company Size
51-200
Company Stage
Growth Equity (Non-Venture Capital)
Total Funding
$287.4M
Headquarters
Aachen, Germany
Founded
2020
Black Semiconductor is Hiring for 20 Jobs on Simplify!
Find jobs on Simplify and start your career today