Imec.xpand has co-led a $7m seed round for Pharrowtech, which is commercialising millimeter wave wireless technology based on research at Imec and Vrije Universiteit Brussel.
Pharrowtech, a Belgium-based developer of high-speed wireless chips and antennas spun out of Imec, today raised a €6m ($7m) seed round co-led by Imec.xpand, a venture fund affiliated with the research institute.
Investment company Bloc Ventures co-led the round, while Imec also participated separately. The round was filled out by financial services firm KBC through its Focus Fund.
Pharrowtech is developing chips and antennas that exploit the 60GHz licence-free millimetre wave spectrum to enable high-speed wireless applications.
The technology, which could eventually bring gigabit-per-second speeds to consumers, has applications in areas including 5G as well as augmented and virtual reality. It was developed at Imec, with contributions from Vrije Universiteit Brussel.
The cash will allow Pharrowtech to further enhance the capabilities of its products and gear up for mass production.
Pieter Vorenkamp, former senior vice-president at semiconductor company Broadcom and software producer Cadence, has joined the board as independent chairman.
Peter Vanbekbergen, partner at Imec.xpand said: “We are investing in companies that have the potential to become global players by disrupting the domain they are active in.
“We are convinced that the Pharrowtech team, also thanks to the close co-operation with Imec, has all the tools, skills and expertise to disrupt the fixed wireless access market.”
Thierry Heles
Thierry Heles is editor-at-large of Global University Venturing and Global Corporate Venturing, and host of the Beyond the Breakthrough podcast.
