Tiptek

What Tiptek does

Tiptek is a privately held U.S. manufacturer founded in 2011 and headquartered in Savoy, Illinois, specializing in precision nanoprobes used for diagnostics and fault-testing of microelectronic devices. Its core product line targets failure analysis and quality verification of semiconductor components at the nanoscale, exploiting an accuracy- and precision-led nanoprober technology platform that is positioned as the firm's primary technical differentiator. The company operates with a headcount in the 11–50 band and has historically been funded through U.S. federal SBIR/STTR programs, including a $839,296 National Science Foundation award in March 2013 and subsequent U.S. Department of Energy funding actions.

The firm's commercial focus is the vertical customer segment of U.S. Department of Energy National Laboratories, where its nanoprobes support failure diagnostics on microelectronics in research and mission environments. In 2022, Tiptek was awarded the DOE SBIR/STTR Small Business of the Year in recognition of product innovation milestones and a significant expansion in production capacity, which enabled support for DOE missions across two national laboratories the same year. Pricing, distribution channels, and broader go-to-market mechanics are not publicly disclosed.

The business model centers on small-batch, high-precision hardware sales and contract work into federally funded research programs. Revenue mechanics are not disclosed in the available source material; the company has not reported funding rounds from commercial investors, has no disclosed parent company or M&A activity, and has not made public marketing or channel investments. Operating geographies, named commercial customers beyond national labs, partnerships, certifications, and leadership roster are also not disclosed in the inputs.

Name

Tiptek

Legal name

Tiptek

Website

https://tiptek.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Tiptek is a U.S. manufacturer of precision nanoprobes used for diagnostics and fault-testing of microelectronic devices, primarily serving U.S. Department of Energy national laboratories and federally funded semiconductor research missions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Semiconductor Test Equipment

NAICS

Semiconductor Machinery Manufacturing (333242), Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515), Research and Development in Nanotechnology (541713)

SIC

Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Semiconductors & Related Devices (3674)

akta.pro primary industry

Test, Probe & Burn-In Equipment (Wafer Sort/Final Test) (HDAHAEAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Failure Analysis, Reliability & Qualification Services (HDAHADAH)

Keywords

• Nanoprobe manufacturing
• Microelectronic diagnostics
• Semiconductor fault testing
• Nanoscale probes
• Failure analysis equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Savoy

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Core offering

Tiptek manufactures precision nanoprobes used for diagnostics and fault-testing of microelectronic devices. The nanoprobes enable failure analysis and quality verification of semiconductor components at the nanoscale, supporting research and testing missions at U.S. Department of Energy national laboratories.

Product overview

Tiptek is a U.S. manufacturer specializing in nanoprobes and nanoprober technology for diagnostics and fault-testing of microelectronic devices. The company's product portfolio centers on precision nanoprobing solutions used in semiconductor failure analysis and quality verification. Their core offerings include nanoprobes designed for microelectronic device testing and an associated nanoprober technology platform that supports DOE national laboratory missions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Nanoprobes

Quantifiable outcome

• Supported DOE missions in two national labs
• +1 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• FormFactor: FormFactor is the leading global supplier of advanced probe stations and nanoprobing solutions for semiconductor failure analysis and device characterization, directly competing with Tiptek in nanoprobe-based FA workflows.
• MPI Corporation: MPI manufactures advanced probe stations and analytical probes for semiconductor and microelectronic testing, making it a direct peer in the nanoprobe and probe-station category.
• Cascade Microtech (now part of FormFactor): Legacy Cascade Microtech pioneered the precision probe station category Tiptek competes in; its product line under FormFactor remains the closest commercial analog for nanoprobing-based failure analysis.

Broad incumbents

• Bruker Corporation: Bruker manufactures atomic force microscopy (AFM) and nanoscale characterization tools used for semiconductor fault isolation and nanoprobing, overlapping with Tiptek's nanoscale diagnostic use cases at the FA lab level.
• KLA Corporation: KLA is a dominant semiconductor process control and inspection equipment provider, including tools used for fault detection and yield management that overlap with Tiptek's microelectronic diagnostic applications.
• Onto Innovation: Onto Innovation supplies macro defect inspection and metrology tools used in semiconductor failure analysis and process control, providing a broader incumbent alternative to specialized nanoprobing tools.
• Cohu, Inc. Cohu is a major supplier of semiconductor test and handling equipment, addressing the broader test-cell workflow that includes nanoprobing-based FA steps served by Tiptek.
• Tokyo Electron (TEL): TEL supplies a wide range of semiconductor production and test equipment, including prober systems that intersect with Tiptek's nanoprobing niche within advanced packaging and FA.

Emerging players

• Park Systems: Park Systems manufactures research-grade AFM and nanoprobing systems used for nanoscale device characterization in semiconductor research labs, partially overlapping with Tiptek's nanoprobe-based diagnostics.
• Imina Technologies: Imina Technologies makes precision nanoprobing solutions and micro-positioning tools for failure analysis and microelectronic test applications, directly comparable to Tiptek's specialized nanoprobe offerings.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tiptek