Turning nanotechnology into business - Interview with Tom Vanhoutte

In this interview, we delve into the world of cutting-edge technology with Tom Vanhoutte, Founding Partner at imec.xpand. This independent global VC fund fuels transformative innovations in semiconductors and nanotechnology.
imec.xpand operates independently from imec, one of the largest global centers for semiconductor research. However, a strong partnership exists as imec is the fund’s biggest stakeholder and all the fund’s portfolio companies collaborate with imec’s R&D center. In this interview, Tom Vanhoutte sheds light on initiatives like the imec.istart accelerator and cooperation with the imec innovation team that’s responsible for creating high-quality investment opportunities for the fund.
Imec.xpand stands out as one of the few European early-stage VC funds with a global reach. Backed by a diverse international investor base, they focus on ventures transforming the semiconductor landscape in industries like AI, life sciences, and smart industries.
In this interview, Tom Vanhoutte explains their investment approach, including typical deal sizes, target geographies, and the specific characteristics they seek in their ideal investment candidate (hint: it involves groundbreaking chip technology!).
As a hyper-specialized VC fund, imec.xpand benefits greatly from participating in the EIC Scaling Club, which lets it keep a finger on the pulse of the European deep-tech landscape. Through regular updates on emerging players and their progress, imec.xpand can efficiently identify promising investment targets. Additionally, the Club facilitates face-to-face interaction with founders from across Europe, fostering valuable connections and deal flow.