EpiGaN nv of Hasselt, near Antwerp, Belgium, which supplies gallium nitride on silicon (GaN-on-Si) and gallium nitride on silicon carbide (GaN-on-SiC) epitaxial wafers for power switching and RF devices as well as sensors, says that the Belgium Federal Holding and Investment Company (FPIM/SFPI) has joined its group of investors to fund its product portfolio expansion and global strategy execution. Joining the capital increase, existing investors LRM and Capricorn Cleantech Fund have re-confirmed their support for EpiGaN’s market and technology strategies.
EpiGaN notes that gallium nitride has started to revolutionize key market segments such as the energy sector, where it enables smaller, lighter and more energy-efficient power conversion systems, such as consumer power supplies, and data servers. GaN is also the key technology enabler for wireless communication, offering the capability for a larger data exchange capacity, low latency, and enhanced mobile broadband communication, as required for transitioning from LTE/4G to 5G, as well as autonomous driving and the Internet of Things (IoT).
EpiGaN was founded in 2010 as a spin-off from Belgian micro- and nano-electronics research center imec. Over the past few years it has released product solutions for epitaxial GaN layer structures deposited on 150mm and 200mm silicon substrates, in particular with its in-situ silicon nitride (SiN) passivation, which is said to enable more robust high-performance devices. The firm’s product portfolio spans solutions for low-loss power switching, next-generation 5G radio-frequency/mobile communication and sensor applications.
“This investment will support our efforts to execute our strategy towards offering turn-key solutions and services to our global customer base,” says co-founder & CEO Dr Marianne Germain. “FPIM and our initial investors share our views about the vast opportunities ahead for EpiGaN,” she adds.
“We are very pleased to support a Belgian high-tech company like EpiGaN during their global expansion and strategy execution phase,” comments FPIM’s CEO Koen Van Loo. “EpiGaN has developed a unique expertise and differentiating technology, and we expect the company to capture a significant share of these high-growth markets.”
