Spacetek Technology Secures CHF 9.6M to Bring Swiss Space Tech to Global Semiconductors

In the global race for semiconductor dominance, yield and efficiency are the ultimate currency. As manufacturers push for nanometer precision, the margin for error effectively vanishes. Addressing this critical industrial challenge, Swiss deep tech startup Spacetek Technology AG has successfully closed a CHF 9.6 million financing round.

This capital injection marks a pivotal moment for the Swiss innovation ecosystem, demonstrating its ability to not only incubate complex technologies but to industrialize them for the world’s most demanding markets. For international investors and ecosystem actors, Spacetek’s trajectory, from space research labs to chip factories, exemplifies the high-value, outcome-oriented innovation defining Swiss deep tech.

From Space Labs to Semiconductor Fabs

Spacetek Technology is the definition of “Deep Tech.” A spin-off from the University of Bern’s renowned Space Research & Planetary Sciences Institute, the company’s core IP was originally developed to analyze planetary atmospheres in harsh space environments. Spacetek has successfully translated this expertise, characterized by high reliability and low maintenance, into a compact industrial solution: Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (TOF-MS).

Traditionally, mass spectrometry is a slow, lab-based process. Spacetek has miniaturized this technology, allowing semiconductors manufacturers to perform real-time gas analysis directly on the production line. This capability is critical for reducing scrap rates and improving yields in chip manufacturing, a sector where process control is synonymous with profitability.

Spacetek’s journey illustrates the robust support mechanisms within the Swiss ecosystem. Having leveraged the ecosystem’s early-stage support, the company has now established itself as a key supplier to the global industry. Their systems are currently installed in some of the world’s most advanced semiconductor manufacturing facilities, validating the technology’s readiness for high-volume industrial environments.

The Round: A Coalition of Swiss Industrial & Financial Strength

The CHF 9.6 million round is composed of a mix of equity and non-dilutive financing, signaling high confidence from diverse financial stakeholders.

The equity portion is backed by an interesting consortium of existing investors, including Swisscom Ventures and the Moonshot Fund of Spectrum Value Management (the Family Office of Thomas Schmidheiny). The continued backing of these heavyweights, representing both premier corporate venture capital and industrial heritage wealth, provides a strong signal of stability and long-term potential to the international market.

Complementing this equity is strategic debt financing, including a Growth Credit from UBS and a loan guarantee from the Technologiefonds. The involvement of the Technologiefonds is particularly significant for international observers. This federal instrument validates not just the business model, but the environmental impact of the technology. By enabling manufacturers to optimize processes and reduce waste, Spacetek’s units contribute to measurable reductions in CO2 emissions. This aligns perfectly with the growing mandate for “Green Fabs” in the global semiconductors industry.

Future Plans: Acceleration and Leadership

With this funding, Spacetek is shifting gears from validation to global acceleration. CEO Maximilian Rothenberger notes that the company is entering its “most critical phase of growth,” with a mandate to expand global deployments and technology roadmaps.

Christian Studer, Chairman of the Board of Directors, commented, “This milestone financing and the strengthening of our leadership team mark a major step forward in Spacetek’s journey. We are proud to support a company that is not only pushing technological limits but also delivering measurable environmental impact.”

For Swiss researchers with aspirations to enter entrepreneurship, Spacetek represents the ideal case study: a company that utilized Swiss academic excellence and ecosystem support to build a product that solves a tangible, high-value global problem.