QuantumDiamonds Raises $99M for Chip Inspection Tech

Jan de Vries · 2026-07-09

Munich-based startup QuantumDiamonds (QD) just closed a massive funding round worth about $99 million. They're using the cash to ramp up production of their quantum-based semiconductor inspection technology. ### The Funding Breakdown The financing is a two-part deal. There's a $16.3 million equity round led by World Fund, with big participation from Bayern Kapital and existing investors like IQ Capital, Earlybird, and others. On top of that, QD secured $82.7 million in non-dilutive funding approved under the European Chips Act, backed by the German Federal Ministry and the Free State of Bavaria. ### Why This Matters Chipmakers are hitting a wall with traditional inspection tools. As chips get more complex and pack more layers in 3D architectures, old methods can't spot hidden defects buried deep inside. That's a huge problem because even a tiny flaw can wreck yields. Kevin Berghoff, CEO and co-founder, put it plainly: "The response from leading chipmakers has been clear: they see our technology as essential for solving yield challenges that today's systems can't address." He noted that deployments are already live in the U.S. and Taiwan, with serial production ramping up in Munich. ### How It Works QD's tech is pretty wild. It uses atomic-scale defects in synthetic diamonds to detect magnetic fields with extreme precision. Think of it as a microscope for electric currents. Their first commercial system, the QDm.1, gives non-destructive 3D current imaging at the nanoscale. It pinpoints the exact location and depth of chip defects without damaging the chip. According to the company, a single percentage point improvement in yield can be worth millions of dollars a week for a high-volume device. That's the kind of value they're bringing to the table. ### Global Expansion QD isn't just staying in Europe. In March 2026, they set up a regional hub in Taiwan and brought in industry veteran Peter Lemmens to lead Asia operations. The following month, they installed their first U.S. system at Eurofins EAG Laboratories in Sunnyvale, California. They also completed their first Asian deployment at Integrated Service Technology (iST) in Hsinchu, Taiwan. ### The Big Picture Europe has a serious semiconductor gap. The region uses about 20% of the world's chips but only produces 10%. Berghoff sees this as a strategic weakness. "That gap is exactly where our strategic power leaks away," he said. QD wants to become Europe's next ASML, building a first-of-a-kind technology in a $104 billion equipment market that the entire AI industry depends on. They've already announced plans to invest about $165 million in what they call the world's first production facility for advanced chip-testing systems. ### What's Next The new facility in Munich will include sensor production lines for quantum-grade diamond substrates, cleanroom integration of QDM inspection systems, and joint development labs with semiconductor partners. The first operational section is expected to open later this year. For U.S. professionals watching the EU startup scene, this is a company worth tracking. It shows how European innovation is stepping up in critical tech sectors, backed by strong government support and private investment.