AlixLabs, a Lund-based semiconductor startup specializing in Atomic Layer Etching (ALE) technology, has successfully closed its €15 million Series A funding round in the first quarter of 2026. The milestone follows a strategic investment from Stephen Industries, strengthening the company’s position in next-generation semiconductor manufacturing.
Earlier, in November 2025, AlixLabs had announced that Global Brain, along with other key institutional investors, had committed €14.1 million to its Series A round. Subsequently, the company kept the remaining portion open and completed the full €15 million raise in early 2026.
“Stephen Industries brings deep industrial expertise and a proven ability to scale companies in adjacent technology domains. Kustaa’s experience with Picosun is especially valuable as we move from development toward broader commercialisation of our APS™ platform,” said Jonas Sundqvist, CEO of AlixLabs.
Founded in 2019, AlixLabs has positioned itself as the world’s only pure-play ALE company. The company originated as a spin-off from Lund University and continues to focus on making semiconductor production in the ångström (Å) era more accessible, sustainable, and cost-efficient.
Moreover, AlixLabs operates as a key supplier in the Swedish semiconductor ecosystem by offering advanced equipment and processes capable of producing nanostructures smaller than 20 nanometers. Through its proprietary APS™ (Atomic Pitch Splitting) technology, the company enables energy-efficient fabrication beyond the resolution limits of traditional optical and electron beam lithography.
As semiconductor complexity continues to rise, manufacturing and design costs have also increased significantly. However, AlixLabs addresses this challenge by offering ALE-based solutions that reduce the number of process steps while simultaneously improving throughput. Consequently, these innovations enhance efficiency across semiconductor fabrication workflows.
In addition, the company ensures that its solutions integrate seamlessly into existing production environments. This compatibility allows semiconductor manufacturers to transition toward the ångström era more affordably. Furthermore, by leveraging ALE technology, manufacturers can reduce power consumption, water usage, and overall emissions, thereby supporting sustainability goals within the semiconductor industry.
“AlixLabs’ processes are designed for use on 300 millimetre (12-inch) logic and DRAM silicon wafers, including FinFET and GAAFET (nanowire). They are equally at home in 150 and 200-millimetre wafers for power electronics on gallium nitride (GaN),” explained the company.
Notably, this investment represents a significant strategic milestone as AlixLabs continues to scale its proprietary ALE solutions, particularly its flagship APS™ technology. The company aims to deliver higher precision, improved efficiency, and cost-effective semiconductor fabrication solutions.
A critical component of this partnership involves Kustaa Poutiainen from Stephen Industries. His extensive experience in scaling deep-tech companies provides a strong strategic advantage. Previously, he played a pivotal role in the growth of Picosun, which emerged as a globally recognized Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) company. Since ALD and ALE technologies share strong technical parallels, his expertise aligns closely with AlixLabs’ long-term objectives.
“AlixLabs operates in a highly promising space within semiconductor process technology. Having seen firsthand how ALD evolved from a niche innovation to a critical industry standard, I see strong parallels with ALE. AlixLabs has the potential to follow a similar trajectory,” said Kustaa Poutiainen, Chairperson and President of Stephen Industries.
AlixLabs plans to deploy the newly raised capital to accelerate product development, expand its technical capabilities, and strengthen collaborations with semiconductor manufacturers worldwide. As a result, the company aims to solidify its role in shaping the future of semiconductor fabrication.
