Exnodes
Exnodes Inc. licenses its patented Computational Parallel Inspection (CPI) technology, a visible-light unpatterned wafer inspection platform achieving 8.9 nm sensitivity at 120 wph, to semiconductor manufacturers and equipment builders in the SEMI ecosystem.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersFremont, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Exnodes does
Exnodes Inc. is a privately held semiconductor metrology company, founded in 2014 and based in Fremont, California, that has developed and now licenses its proprietary Computational Parallel Inspection (CPI) technology to semiconductor manufacturers and equipment builders in the SEMI ecosystem. CPI is a visible-light, unpatterned wafer inspection platform that uses wide-field computational imaging and an information-theory approach, rather than brute-force short-wavelength illumination, to achieve 8.9 nm defect sensitivity with simultaneous detection from 8.9 nm to 100 nm, at a throughput of 120 wafers per hour at 20 nm SiO2 sensitivity. The compact footprint of the technology allows it to be embedded as onboard modules for cluster tools, enabling real-time process feedback loops targeted at 3 nm node volume manufacturing without the cost and wafer-damage burden of DUV-based inspection. The technology is protected by 10 granted patents and incorporates AI models for defect detection, classification, and root-cause analysis.
Exnodes monetizes exclusively through technology and patent licensing rather than direct equipment sales, with inquiries directed to [email protected] and the company explicitly stating it 'licenses technology to industry leaders in SEMI.' The customer base is concentrated among leading semiconductor manufacturers and equipment builders, with XPro publicly validating the platform across a wide range of defect sizes. The company is backed strategically by Samsung Ventures and SK Hynix, who co-led a $2 million financing round in November 2016, and is led by founder and chief scientist Michael Varney alongside a team that includes optical and computational imaging figures such as Joseph W. Goodman and Gordon Eubanks. With only 1-10 employees and no disclosed recurring revenue, Exnodes operates as a capital-light IP licensor whose value depends on converting its CPI patent estate into OEM design wins inside next-generation cluster tools.
Exnodes firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Exnodes
- Legal name
- Exnodes Inc.
- Website
- https://exnodes.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Exnodes Inc. licenses its patented Computational Parallel Inspection (CPI) technology, a visible-light unpatterned wafer inspection platform achieving 8.9 nm sensitivity at 120 wph, to semiconductor manufacturers and equipment builders in the SEMI ecosystem.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Exnodes industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Semiconductor Wafer Inspection Technology
- NAICS
- Semiconductor Machinery Manufacturing (333242), Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables (334513), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)
- SIC
- Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Measuring & Controlling Devices, Nec (3829)
- akta.pro primary industry
- NDT/NDE Inspection Equipment (Ultrasonic, eddy current, radiography, thermography) (IMAGAFAI)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Industrial Quality Inspection & Metrology (Machine Vision) (IMAIAMAF)
Keywords
Where Exnodes is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Fremont
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Exnodes business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Technology Licensing: Exnodes licenses its Computational Parallel Inspection (CPI) technology and patents to semiconductor industry leaders. The company generates revenue through licensing agreements with semiconductor equipment manufacturers and wafer inspection system integrators.
- Patent Licensing: Backed by 10 patents, the company licenses its patented technology to industry players in the SEMI (Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International) ecosystem.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels3 records
Exnodes product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Exnodes licenses its patented Computational Parallel Inspection (CPI) technology to semiconductor manufacturers and equipment makers. CPI is a visible-light unpatterned wafer inspection platform that delivers 8.9 nm sensitivity and detects 20 nm defects at 120 wafers per hour, with AI-enabled detection, classification, and root cause analysis. The compact module footprint allows integration as onboard modules on cluster tools for real-time process feedback in 3 nm node volume manufacturing, eliminating the cost and wafer-damage issues of DUV-based inspection.
Product overview
Exnodes offers a single unified product called Computational Parallel Inspection (CPI), which is a wafer inspection technology licensed to semiconductor industry leaders. The system provides onboard modules for cluster tools, utilizing visible light computational imaging for unpatterned wafer inspection at 20 nm sensitivity and 120 wafers per hour throughput, with integrated AI-powered detection, classification, and root cause analysis capabilities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Computational Parallel Inspection (CPI) A visible-light computational imaging wafer inspection platform for semiconductor manufacturers that delivers 8.9 nm sensitivity and detects 20 nm defects at 120 wafers per hour, with AI-enabled detection, classification, and root cause analysis, packaged as compact onboard modules for cluster tools to support real-time process feedback loops in 3 nm node volume manufacturing.
Quantifiable outcome
- 120 wph throughput at 20 nm SiO2 sensitivity
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Exnodes
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Exnodes technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability4 records
Feature5 records
Exnodes partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.
- XProflagshipXPro represents a validated industry partner that has validated the Exnodes inspection technology across a wide range of defect sizes, demonstrating the technology's effectiveness for semiconductor manufacturing applications.
- Industry Leaders in SEMIcoreExnodes licenses its computational parallel inspection technology to semiconductor industry leaders in the SEMI ecosystem, enabling them to incorporate the technology into their manufacturing processes and equipment.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Exnodes competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- KLA Corporation: Dominant wafer inspection equipment maker serving leading-edge logic and memory fabs. Directly comparable to Exnodes as both target nanoscale defect detection, though KLA is the entrenched incumbent across unpatterned and patterned inspection.
- Onto Innovation: Provides macro defect inspection and metrology for semiconductor manufacturers. Comparable to Exnodes as a competing supplier of wafer inspection technology to advanced node fabs, including unpatterned wafer inspection.
- Nova Ltd: Israel-based provider of metrology and process control solutions for the semiconductor industry, including optical and x-ray-based inspection. Directly comparable to Exnodes as an inspection/metrology vendor competing for the same leading-edge fab customers.
- Lasertec Corporation: Specializes in photomask and wafer inspection systems using deep ultraviolet and EUV technologies. Comparable to Exnodes as a specialist inspection vendor serving leading-edge semiconductor manufacturers with sensitivity-and-throughput trade-offs.
- Camtek Ltd: Provides inspection and metrology systems for the semiconductor industry, including 2D/3D inspection for advanced packaging and front-end applications. Comparable to Exnodes as a focused wafer/inspection equipment vendor serving leading-edge fabs.
Broad incumbents
- Hitachi High-Tech: Major semiconductor metrology and inspection equipment supplier, part of the broader Hitachi industrial portfolio. Comparable to Exnodes in wafer inspection, but offers a much wider metrology and electron-microscopy portfolio alongside the inspection business.
- ASML: Dominant lithography equipment maker for advanced semiconductor nodes, with growing inline metrology/inspection ambitions. Comparable to Exnodes as a strategic semiconductor equipment incumbent whose fab relationships shape the inspection ecosystem.
Emerging players
- UnitySC: European developer of advanced optical inspection and metrology solutions for semiconductor and related industries. Comparable to Exnodes as a smaller specialist pursuing optical/computational inspection at advanced nodes.
Others
- Samsung Semiconductor (Samsung Ventures investee ecosystem): Samsung Semiconductor is both an investor in Exnodes and a major customer of inspection technology. Relevant as a strategic investor/partner that shapes Exnodes' commercialization pathway and provides anchor market demand.
- SK hynix (Strategic Investor): SK hynix is both an investor in Exnodes and a leading memory manufacturer using advanced inspection systems. Relevant as a strategic investor/partner and potential anchor customer for Exnodes' CPI technology.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Exnodes social profiles
Digital presenceExnodes financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Exnodes leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Exnodes funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Exnodes 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 Exnodes
What does Exnodes do?
Exnodes licenses its patented Computational Parallel Inspection (CPI) technology to semiconductor manufacturers and equipment makers. CPI is a visible-light unpatterned wafer inspection platform that delivers 8.9 nm sensitivity and detects 20 nm defects at 120 wafers per hour, with AI-enabled detection, classification, and root cause analysis. The compact module footprint allows integration as onboard modules on cluster tools for real-time process feedback in 3 nm node volume manufacturing, eliminating the cost and wafer-damage issues of DUV-based inspection.
Is Exnodes a public or private company?
Exnodes is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Exnodes founded?
Exnodes was founded in 2014. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Exnodes based?
Exnodes is headquartered in Fremont, United States, in the North America region.
How does Exnodes make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Technology Licensing is the primary driver. The others are patent Licensing.
Who are Exnodes's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are KLA Corporation, Onto Innovation, Nova Ltd, Lasertec Corporation and Camtek Ltd. Broad incumbents are Hitachi High-Tech and ASML. UnitySC is listed as an emerging player. Others are Samsung Semiconductor (Samsung Ventures investee ecosystem) and SK hynix (Strategic Investor).
Does Exnodes have an API?
No public API is recorded for Exnodes.
What industry is Exnodes in?
Exnodes's product category is Semiconductor Wafer Inspection Technology. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAGAFAI, NDT/NDE Inspection Equipment (Ultrasonic, eddy current, radiography, thermography), with a secondary code of IMAIAMAF, Industrial Quality Inspection & Metrology (Machine Vision). Its NAICS code is 333242 and its SIC code is 3823.