AlixLabs
AlixLabs is a Swedish semiconductor equipment company that develops Atomic Layer Etching-based APS™ pitch splitting and patterning technology, selling its Sax Forma 300 mm equipment platform to leading-edge logic foundries, memory manufacturers, and GaN/SiC power electronics producers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersLund, Sweden
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What AlixLabs does
AlixLabs AB is a Swedish semiconductor equipment company founded in 2019 as a spin-off from Lund University and headquartered in the RISE Pronano laboratories in Lund, with additional R&D and production operations in the Netherlands. The company develops Atomic Layer Etching (ALE)-based processes and equipment, with its flagship being APS™ (ALE Pitch Splitting), which uses sequential, self-limiting chemical reactions combined with plasma-based ion bombardment and exploits topographical selectivity to split nanoscale features into even smaller structures (sub-10 nm critical dimensions, ~12 nm half-pitch demonstrated) without requiring additional lithography steps. The technology platform extends to ALE Pattern Shaping for line edge roughness reduction and ALE Surface Smoothening for GaN and SiC power electronics, and is bundled under the Power ALE™ trademark.
In June 2026 AlixLabs launched Sax Forma, its first commercially available 300 mm APS™ equipment platform (Beta system), built on the Brooks Automation Marathon 2™ LEAP platform with Kontron AIS Tool Commander® automation and industrialized in partnership with VDL ETG Projects. The company sells direct to semiconductor manufacturers on a quote-based, multi-year contract basis, supplemented by APS™ process licensing and EU-funded collaborative R&D (e.g., ALL2GaN with Infineon, PhotonHub Europe with imec, ASCENT+ with NSS Water and Fraunhofer IPMS). It targets leading-edge logic foundries and IDMs (Intel, UMC), memory manufacturers, GaN/SiC power electronics makers (Infineon), and mid-tier foundries without EUV access. The company has 12 full-time employees plus approximately 15 international semiconductor advisors, and as of Q1 2026 has raised approximately €15 million in Series A funding on top of prior SEK rounds and a Vinnova grant.
AlixLabs firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- AlixLabs
- Legal name
- AlixLabs AB
- Website
- https://alixlabs.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- AlixLabs is a Swedish semiconductor equipment company that develops Atomic Layer Etching-based APS™ pitch splitting and patterning technology, selling its Sax Forma 300 mm equipment platform to leading-edge logic foundries, memory manufacturers, and GaN/SiC power electronics producers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
AlixLabs industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Semiconductor Etching Equipment
- NAICS
- Semiconductor Machinery Manufacturing (333242)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Amplifiers & Comparators (HDAHAIAC)
Keywords
Where AlixLabs is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lund
- HQ country
- Sweden
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
AlixLabs business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Equipment sales (Sax Forma APS™ system): Sale of the Sax Forma APS™ equipment platform, AlixLabs' first commercially available APS system (Beta) targeting IDMs and foundries; industrialized with VDL ETG Projects. Full-scale manufacturing deployment targeted for 2027, with a planned Gamma platform in 2028.
- Process licensing and demo/evaluation services: License APS™ process technology to leading-edge semiconductor manufacturers; conduct customer demonstrations at AlixLabs' Lund cleanroom (300 mm APS Beta) returning processed wafers to customers for metrology/electrical verification.
- Collaborative R&D and EU-funded project participation: Revenue/consortia contributions from participation in EU programs including ALL2GaN (Infineon-led), PhotonHub Europe (imec-led), and ASCENT+ (with NSS Water and Fraunhofer IPMS).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Equipment purchase (Sax Forma APS™ system) - quote-based |
| Other | — | APS™ process licensing to semiconductor manufacturers |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
AlixLabs product offering
Product offeringCore offering
AlixLabs develops and commercializes APS™ (ALE Pitch Splitting) technology and the Sax Forma APS™ System equipment platform for advanced semiconductor nanostructure fabrication. The company sells its 300mm wafer processing equipment to integrated device manufacturers and foundries, while also licensing its proprietary ALE-based process technology. Beyond equipment and licensing, it offers customer evaluation services, demo wafer processing, and participates in EU-funded collaborative R&D projects.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- APS™: Atomic Layer Etching Pitch Splitting — the company's flagship semiconductor patterning technology and equipment platform, including the Sax Forma APS™ System.
- Power ALE™
- Sax Forma
Products and services
- Sax Forma APS™ System A semiconductor equipment platform that performs maskless ALE Pitch Splitting on full 300mm wafers, integrating a 300mm wafer APS module into an OEM platform built with VDL ETG Projects, Brooks Automation, and Kontron AIS. Sold to foundries and IDMs for advanced logic, memory, photonics, and power device patterning.
- APS™ (ALE Pitch Splitting) Process Technology A proprietary maskless ALE-based pitch splitting process technology protected by an expanding patent portfolio. Licensed to chip manufacturers for integration into their own production equipment, enabling sub-7nm pitch splitting, SAQP, and patterning cost reduction.
- Power ALE™ A trademarked brand of AlixLabs that extends ALE-based process technology beyond pitch splitting into the full semiconductor value chain, including memory and power device applications such as ALE Surface Smoothening for GaN and SiC.
Quantifiable outcome
- 25 nm → 12.5 nm half-pitch demonstrated on Intel FinFET test silicon (3 nm class)
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use AlixLabs
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
AlixLabs technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature6 records
AlixLabs partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship - core industrialization partner for aps™ equipment manufacturing, core - automation platform foundation for the 300 mm aps beta system, core - automation backbone for aps™ platform, minor - sustainability project partnership, major customer / technology partner, major customer / technology partner via test vehicle program, major research collaboration, major research consortium partner, minor - equipment development partner, core - lead partner in all2gan eu consortium and minor - metrology collaboration.
- VDL ETG Projects (VDL Groep)flagship - core industrialization partner for aps™ equipment manufacturingMemorandum of Understanding signed April 7, 2026 to advance production of APS™ (Atomic Pitch Splitting) equipment. VDL ETG Projects will develop and manufacture industrial APS™ tools, leveraging its expertise in system integration and high-tech equipment manufacturing. Partnership aims to transition APS™ from advanced R&D into robust, production-ready systems for semiconductor fabs.
- Brooks Automationcore - automation platform foundation for the 300 mm aps beta systemInstallation of Brooks Automation Marathon 2™ LEAP platform and MagnaTran® LEAP™ vacuum robot for AlixLabs' APS™ 300 mm Beta platform, enabling fully automated, fab-ready wafer handling and 24/7 processing qualification with leading semiconductor manufacturers.
- Kontron AIScore - automation backbone for aps™ platformKontron AIS Tool Commander® software provides the automation backbone for AlixLabs' APS platform, offering standardized and modular control architecture for process modules, robotics, and fab automation systems; fully compliant with SECS/GEM and EDA standards, supporting Industry 4.0 and smart manufacturing.
- NSS Waterminor - sustainability project partnershipCollaboration (~€28k project value, co-financed by ASCENT+) to develop sustainable ultrapure water (UPW) and nano-pure water (NPW) management solutions for chip production, with Fraunhofer IPMS providing metrology. Aims to reduce costs, environmental footprint, and enhance water recycling.
- United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC)major customer / technology partnerUMC supplied 300 mm production wafers on which APS™ successfully halved pitch vs. industry benchmarks without EUV lithography, introducing flexibility to vary pitch and critical dimensions within the same wafer area. Co-presented SPIE Advanced Lithography 2026 paper on extending APS toward self-aligned quadruple patterning.
- Intelmajor customer / technology partner via test vehicle programIntel Test Vehicle Program provided leading-edge grade test silicon to enable APS™ demonstration of 25 nm full metal pitch comparable to 3 nm class technology on Intel's Low Global Warming Potential Etch Test Vehicle. Reduced half-pitch from 25 nm to 12.5 nm on Intel FinFET test silicon.
- Linköping Universitymajor research collaborationResearch collaboration with Professor Henrik Pedersen in inorganic chemistry at Linköping University to explore joint research in gallium nitride (GaN) and indium nitride (InN) deposition and etch, with parallel plasma etch equipment enabling synchronized research.
- imec (via PhotonHub Europe)major research consortium partnerPhotonHub Europe (imec-led, EU Horizon 2020) R&D collaboration with total project value ~€197k (PhotonHub contributing €58.5k) to evaluate, prototype, and benchmark AlixLabs' ALE process in imec's photonics laboratories for ring resonator surface quality.
- Nanovacminor - equipment development partnerSwedish equipment partner that developed AlixLabs' 300 mm wafer processing tool with modular design concepts; to be installed in summer 2024. CEO Thomas Engstedt led the design effort.
- Infineoncore - lead partner in all2gan eu consortiumPartner in the ALL2GaN EU project led by Infineon, applying AlixLabs' low-damage Atomic Layer Etch process technology to gallium nitride power electronics for EU climate-neutrality by 2050. Includes partners across the European semiconductor ecosystem.
- Fraunhofer IPMSminor - metrology collaborationInstitute for Photonic Microsystems providing metrology expertise in advanced defect and contamination control for the NSS Water ultrapure water management project (co-financed by ASCENT+).
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
AlixLabs competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Lam Research: Largest pure-play etch equipment supplier to global semiconductor fabs, with deep relationships across IDMs and foundries at sub-7 nm nodes. AlixLabs competes directly in the advanced etch/pitch-splitting workflow that Lam dominates, but as a sub-scale specialist rather than a broad equipment portfolio.
- Applied Materials: Global semiconductor equipment giant with a broad etch, deposition, and inspection portfolio that overlaps directly with AlixLabs' ALE pitch-splitting territory. Notably, AlixLabs board member Gary Miner is ex-CTO of Applied Materials' Front End Product Group, reflecting the strategic adjacency.
- Tokyo Electron (TEL): Major Japanese supplier of etch and deposition systems to leading-edge foundries and memory makers. Competes with AlixLabs in advanced etch modules used at sub-7 nm logic and DRAM nodes.
- Hitachi High-Tech: Supplies etch and metrology systems to global semiconductor manufacturers, with strong presence in Asian fabs. Overlaps with AlixLabs in advanced patterning and surface-treatment applications.
- SPTS Technologies (KLA): KLA's etch division (SPTS) provides plasma etch solutions for power, MEMS, photonics, and advanced packaging — segments that overlap with AlixLabs' GaN/SiC and photonics surface-smoothening applications.
Emerging players
- Oxford Instruments: UK-based supplier of atomic layer deposition (ALD) and etch tools for research and specialty production, with overlap in atomic-scale processing for compound semiconductors and photonics — a closely adjacent technology category to AlixLabs' ALE focus.
- Plasma-Therm: Specialist in plasma etch and deposition equipment for compound semiconductors (GaN, SiC) and photonics — directly overlapping with AlixLabs' Power ALE™ and GaN/SiC surface-smoothening use cases.
- Veeco Instruments: Supplies MOCVD and atomic layer deposition systems for compound semiconductor and photonics production, intersecting with AlixLabs' atomic-scale processing tools for GaN/SiC power and integrated optics.
- Beneq: Finland-based specialist in atomic layer deposition (ALD) equipment, closely related to AlixLabs' ALE technology family. Strategic investor Stephen Industries' Kustaa Poutiainen previously scaled Picosun (a comparable ALD specialist), underscoring the technology adjacency.
Others
- ASML: Dominant lithography supplier whose EUV and High-NA EUV systems set the capex baseline that APS™ pitch splitting partially offsets. Not a direct competitor, but AlixLabs' cost advantage is benchmarked against ASML-enabled lithography roadmaps, and AlixLabs' advisory board includes former ASML director Arthur van der Poel.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
AlixLabs social profiles
Digital presenceAlixLabs financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
AlixLabs leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles17 records
AlixLabs subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
AlixLabs funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors7 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
AlixLabs M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about AlixLabs
What does AlixLabs do?
AlixLabs develops and commercializes APS™ (ALE Pitch Splitting) technology and the Sax Forma APS™ System equipment platform for advanced semiconductor nanostructure fabrication. The company sells its 300mm wafer processing equipment to integrated device manufacturers and foundries, while also licensing its proprietary ALE-based process technology. Beyond equipment and licensing, it offers customer evaluation services, demo wafer processing, and participates in EU-funded collaborative R&D projects.
Is AlixLabs a public or private company?
AlixLabs is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was AlixLabs founded?
AlixLabs was founded in 2019. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is AlixLabs based?
AlixLabs is headquartered in Lund, Sweden, in the Europe region.
How does AlixLabs make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Equipment sales (Sax Forma APS™ system) is the primary driver. The others are process licensing and demo/evaluation services and collaborative R&D and EU-funded project participation.
Who are AlixLabs's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Lam Research, Applied Materials, Tokyo Electron (TEL), Hitachi High-Tech and SPTS Technologies (KLA). Emerging players are Oxford Instruments, Plasma-Therm, Veeco Instruments and Beneq. ASML is listed as an others.
Does AlixLabs have an API?
No public API is recorded for AlixLabs.
What industry is AlixLabs in?
AlixLabs's product category is Semiconductor Etching Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAHAIAC, Amplifiers & Comparators. Its NAICS code is 333242.