Advancing Vertical Compute’s technology using Europe’s 300mm semiconductor pilot lines

Vertical Compute is a European semiconductor hardware company recently spun-off from Imec. Vertical Compute develops and will bring to market a unique vertical integrated memory technology to support the next-generation of AI-compute workloads, from Generative to Agentic or Physical AI.

Any semiconductor hardware startup will have to prove its technology on (300mm) silicon before serious engagement with high volume foundries can happen. In this respect, the European RTOs are already unique places in the world where startups can develop new technologies relatively independent from the giants. Using Imec’s pilot line to demonstrate Vertical Compute’s technology was a no-brainer. With the further investment in the Nano-IC pilot lines, capabilities are expected to grow, ensuring faster, smoother and more reliable outcome, which is critical in this fast paced semiconductor innovation sector.

Being able to jumpstart a new semiconductor technology from concept to pilot production is certainly a unique and increasingly critical asset for Europe - especially in the current geopolitical and industrial context - , which is taking steps to strengthen it further. On the flip side, developing 300mm semiconductor technologies is capital intensive. In parallel to capabilities, reducing the cost of access and of sustained development at the RTOs for startups is important. This will be key in maximizing Europe’s chance of building new semiconductor leaders. seeing emerge, in Europe, new competitive semiconductor solutions.