STR Group
STR Group develops physics-based simulation software and consulting services for crystal growth, epitaxy, and semiconductor device modeling, serving 200+ materials, device, and equipment manufacturers plus academic researchers worldwide through wholly-owned offices in five countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1990
- HeadquartersErlangen, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What STR Group does
STR Group is a privately held, founder-owned provider of specialized simulation software and consulting services for modeling crystal growth, epitaxy/deposition, and semiconductor devices. Founded in 1990 (originally as Semiconductor Technology Research d.o.o. Beograd) and headquartered in Erlangen, Germany, the company serves materials, device, and equipment manufacturers, plus academic researchers, with a customer base exceeding 200 organizations worldwide.
The company operates four product lines — crystal growth from melt/solution (CGSim with Flow Module), bulk crystal growth from vapor phase (Virtual Reactor with Threading Dislocation and Unsteady Modules), deposition and epitaxy (CVDSim3D, PolySim, STREEM, DiaDeMo, IProS 2D), and optoelectronic/electronic devices (SimuLED platform comprising SiLENSe, SpeCLED, RATRO, plus BESST, FETIS, PVcell). Underlying technology is physics-based multi-scale simulation rooted in computational fluid dynamics, heat transfer, dislocation dynamics, drift-diffusion, and k·p band-structure models, validated through peer-reviewed publications and joint research with institutions including ZAE Bayern, On Semiconductor, Michigan State University, and Fraunhofer USA.
Commercialization occurs through software licensing (recurring) and professional consulting services, delivered via wholly-owned subsidiaries in the USA (Virginia), Serbia (Belgrade), Germany (Erlangen), Japan (Yokohama), and China (Suzhou), supplemented by regional distributors in Taiwan (Global Precise Instrument, QUANTUMTEK) and Korea (Paultec, INFOTECH). Go-to-market is primarily enterprise field sales, reinforced by active participation in compound-semiconductor conferences (CS International, CS ManTech, Compound Semiconductor Week, ALD Conference, ICSCRM).
STR Group firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- STR Group
- Legal name
- STR
- Website
- https://str-soft.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1990
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- STR Group develops physics-based simulation software and consulting services for crystal growth, epitaxy, and semiconductor device modeling, serving 200+ materials, device, and equipment manufacturers plus academic researchers worldwide through wholly-owned offices in five countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
STR Group industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Semiconductor Process Simulation Software
- NAICS
- Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing (33441)
- SIC
- Semiconductors & Related Devices (3674)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Deposition Equipment (CVD/PVD/ALD/Epitaxy) (HDAHAEAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Thin-Film Deposition Materials (PVD/CVD/ALD Targets & Precursors) (HDAHAGAH)
Keywords
Where STR Group is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Erlangen
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices5 records
Markets served
STR Group business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Software Licensing: STR generates revenue through licensing of their specialized simulation software products including CGSim, Virtual Reactor, CVDSim3D, SimuLED suite, and other tools for crystal growth and semiconductor device modeling
- Consulting Services: STR provides specialized consulting services for modeling of crystal growth, epitaxy/deposition and semiconductor devices, backed by comprehensive research and peer-reviewed publications
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels4 records
STR Group product offering
Product offeringCore offering
STR Group develops and licenses specialized multi-physics simulation software for modeling bulk crystal growth (Czochralski, Bridgman, PVT, HVPE), epitaxy and chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD, CVD, ALD), and semiconductor optoelectronic/electronic devices (LEDs, laser diodes, HEMTs, solar cells). The company also provides complementary consulting services backed by peer-reviewed research, serving material, device, and equipment manufacturers across the global semiconductor supply chain.
Product overview
STR Group develops a comprehensive suite of specialized software packages for modeling of crystal growth, epitaxy/deposition, and semiconductor devices. The product portfolio is organized into four main categories: (1) Crystal Growth from melt/solution (CGSim with Flow Module), (2) Bulk Crystal Growth from vapor phase (Virtual Reactor with Threading Dislocations and Unsteady Modules), (3) Deposition and Epitaxy (CVDSim3D, DiaDeMo, PolySim, STREEM), and (4) Optoelectronic and Electronic Devices (SimuLED platform comprising SiLENSe, SpeCLED, RATRO, plus BESST, FETIS, PVcell). CGSim handles Czochralski, LEC, VCz, and Bridgman growth; Virtual Reactor focuses on PVT and HTCVD of SiC, AlN, and GaN; CVDSim3D provides 3D CVD reactor modeling; SimuLED integrates LED/LD design tools. Over 200 companies and academic institutions worldwide use these software packages.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- CGSim: Software for modeling Cz, DSS, Kyropoulos, Bridgman crystal growth from the melt (Si, m-Si, UMG-Si, GaAs, InP, SiGe, Ge, Sapphire, YAG, and more)
- Virtual Reactor (VR)
- CVDSim3D
- PolySim
- SimuLED
- SiLENSe
- SpeCLED
- RATRO
- BESST
- FETIS
- PVcell
- DiaDeMo
- STREEM
- IProS 2D
Products and services
- CGSim (Crystal Growth Simulator) Specialized simulation software for Czochralski (Cz), Liquid Encapsulated Czochralski (LEC), Vapor Pressure Controlled Czochralski (VCz), and Bridgman growth of semiconductor crystals including Si, m-Si, UMG-Si, GaAs, InP, SiGe, Ge, sapphire, and YAG. Provides heat transfer, melt/convective flow, crystal shape evolution, stress, dislocations, and impurity transport analysis. Used by material and equipment manufacturers to optimize crystal growth processes.
- Virtual Reactor (VR) Two-dimensional software family for simulation of epitaxy and long-term growth of bulk crystals from the vapor phase. Analyzes growth-related phenomena, crystal shape evolution, source evolution, and defect dynamics for SiC, AlN, and GaN via PVT (Physical Vapor Transport) and HVPE (Hydride Vapor Phase Epitaxy).
- CVDSim3D Physics-based 3D modeling software for chemical vapor deposition processes including heat transfer, gas flows, and chemical reactions. Used for MOCVD of Si/SiGe, CVD of SiC, and MOVPE of III-Nitrides by compound semiconductor manufacturers.
- SiLENSe Software tool for 1D simulation of active regions of LEDs and laser diodes made of cubic III-V compounds and wurtzite III-nitrides. Provides band diagram, carrier concentrations, recombination rates, IQE dependence on current density, and emission spectra. Used by LED and laser diode designers.
- SpeCLED Software for 3D modeling of current spreading and heat transfer in planar and vertical LED chips. Simulates distribution of current density, internal quantum efficiency, and temperature over the active region. Used by LED chip designers and manufacturers.
- RATRO Ray-tracing simulator of light propagation for modeling light extraction from LED chips. Performs ray-tracing simulation of light propagation, absorption, and extraction through n- and p-contact layers and the wafer. Used by LED manufacturers to optimize light extraction efficiency.
- SimuLED Umbrella integrated software package for LED and laser diode design and optimization combining SiLENSe, SpeCLED, and RATRO via a multi-scale approach integrating drift-diffusion, current spreading, heat transfer, and light extraction models.
- STREEM (AlGaN) Specialized software for self-consistent modeling of evolution of stress, bow, and dislocation dynamics during growth and cooling of (0001) III-Nitride heterostructures by MOCVD on silicon and sapphire wafers. Used by III-Nitride epitaxy process engineers.
- STREEM (InGaN) Specialized software for modeling characteristics of InGaN-based device heterostructures grown by MOCVD, focusing on InGaN-based active regions with quantum wells and barriers. Addresses indium incorporation, composition profiles, and strain distribution.
- DiaDeMo Diamond deposition modeling tool for analysis of MPCVD (Microwave Plasma Assisted Chemical Vapor Deposition) reactors. Provides electric field, plasma density, temperature distribution, species transport, and single-crystal diamond growth rate analysis. Used by synthetic diamond manufacturers.
- PolySim Software suite including PolySim and PolySim 3D for simulation of polysilicon deposition by the Siemens process. Provides turbulent gas flow, resistive rod heating, thermal radiation, gas-phase and surface chemistry, and particle formation modeling for polysilicon production process engineers.
- BESST (Bandgap Engineering Superlattice Simulation Tool) Simulation tool for optoelectronic devices based on group-III nitride superlattices. Calculates electronic structure, carrier transport, and emission spectra for short-period superlattice (SPSL)-based devices. Used by III-nitride device researchers.
- FETIS (Field Effect Transistor Integrated Simulator) Integrated simulator for modeling of group-III nitride-based high electron-mobility transistors (HEMTs). Includes 1D simulator of band diagram and potential distribution with quasi-classical and quantum-mechanical carrier confinement. Used by RF power device designers.
- PVcell Software for modeling of semiconductor solar cells including simple p-n junction and tandem solar cells made of Si, Ge, III-V compounds, III-nitrides, and II-oxide wurtzite semiconductors. Used by photovoltaic cell designers and manufacturers.
- IProS 2D Multi-scale simulation software for Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) of dielectrics and metals in single wafer and batch reactors, coupling reactor-scale and feature-scale simulations. Used by ALD process engineers and equipment manufacturers.
- Semiconductor Modeling Consulting Services Specialized consulting for modeling of crystal growth, epitaxy/deposition, and semiconductor devices. Backed by comprehensive research and peer-reviewed publications, with capabilities validated through physical models and approaches. Serves material, device, and equipment manufacturers.
Quantifiable outcome
- Improved crystal quality through optimized growth parameters
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use STR Group
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
STR Group technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature11 records
STR Group partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered regional and research.
- Global Precise Instrument Corp.regionalOfficial distributor of CGSim software in Taiwan. Provides local sales and support for STR's crystal growth modeling software.
- 寬輔科技 QUANTUMTEK INNOVATIVES CORPORATIONregionalOfficial distributor of STR products in Taiwan, offering local distribution and support services.
- Paultec Co., Ltd.regionalDistributor of Virtual Reactor, CGSim and PolySim software in Korea. Provides local sales and support for STR's vapor phase crystal growth and melt growth modeling tools.
- INFOTECH Co.regionalDistributor of CVDSim, SimuLED, FETIS, and BESST software in Korea. Provides local distribution and technical support for STR's device modeling products.
- Bavarian Center for Applied Energy Research (ZAE Bayern)researchCollaboration on development of CVD system for epitaxial growth of silicon layers on large-area substrates (43 cm x 43 cm), results published in Journal of Crystal Growth (2008) 310(6) 1112-1117
- On SemiconductorresearchJoint research on mechanism of direct or reverse growth starvation in Si epitaxy trenches, published in collaboration describing trench shape evolution mechanisms
- Michigan State UniversityresearchCollaboration on roles of gas-phase and surface kinetics of CxHy in diamond CVD, including experimental and simulation studies presented at Hasselt Diamond Workshop 2025
- Fraunhofer USAresearchCollaboration on diamond CVD kinetics research with Michigan State University and STR Belgrade on gas-phase and surface kinetics studies
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
STR Group competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Synopsys: Synopsys offers Sentaurus TCAD for semiconductor process and device simulation, directly competing with STR's CVDSim3D, SiLENSe, and FETIS in the device-physics modeling space. As a broad EDA incumbent, Synopsys has vastly larger resources but STR is more specialized in crystal growth and III-nitride physics.
- ANSYS: ANSYS Fluent and ANSYS multiphysics tools compete with STR's CGSim and CVDSim3D for CFD and heat-transfer simulation in crystal growth and CVD reactor design. As a broad multiphysics incumbent, ANSYS has wider market reach but less depth in semiconductor-specific crystal growth physics.
- Siemens EDA (formerly Mentor Graphics): Siemens EDA's Calibre and Tanner tools, along with acquired TCAD capabilities, position it as a broad EDA incumbent with semiconductor process simulation capabilities that overlap with parts of STR's device and process modeling portfolio.
- Lam Research (via SEMulator3D): Lam Research's SEMulator3D virtual process platform competes with STR's CVDSim3D for deposition and etch process simulation among semiconductor equipment manufacturers. As a major equipment OEM, Lam has both internal modeling capability and customer-facing software that overlap with STR's deposition modeling tools.
- COMSOL: COMSOL Multiphysics competes with STR's CGSim, Virtual Reactor, and CVDSim3D for general-purpose reactor and process modeling. COMSOL's flexible platform is used by semiconductor researchers but lacks STR's specialized models for crystal defects, dislocations, and III-nitride heterostructures.
Direct peers
- Silvaco: Silvaco's Victory TCAD platform (ATHENA/ATLAS) provides semiconductor process and device simulation tools, making it a direct competitor for device modeling (SiLENSe, BESST, FETIS) and process simulation (CVDSim3D). Like STR, it serves both academic and industrial semiconductor customers.
- Crosslight Software: Crosslight specializes in III-nitride and III-V device simulation (APSYS, LASTIP, PICS3D) - the most direct head-to-head competitor to STR's SiLENSe, BESST, and FETIS products. Both companies target LED, laser diode, and HEMT design customers globally.
- Nextnano: Nextnano provides quantum-mechanical simulation for semiconductor heterostructures, directly overlapping with STR's SiLENSe and BESST for III-nitride and III-V quantum well/wire modeling. Both target advanced optoelectronic and power device R&D teams at universities and manufacturers.
Emerging players
- Global TCAD Solutions: Global TCAD Solutions (GTS) provides specialized TCAD tools for silicon and power device simulation, offering some overlap with STR's PVcell and FETIS products, particularly for solar cell and power semiconductor customers.
- Simucal: Simucal offers LED and solid-state lighting simulation software with overlap to STR's SiLENSe, SpeCLED, and RATRO products. It is a smaller, more focused competitor in the LED design segment where STR has its SimuLED platform.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
STR Group social profiles
Digital presenceSTR Group financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
STR Group leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
STR Group subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries5 records
STR Group funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
STR Group 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 STR Group
What does STR Group do?
STR Group develops and licenses specialized multi-physics simulation software for modeling bulk crystal growth (Czochralski, Bridgman, PVT, HVPE), epitaxy and chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD, CVD, ALD), and semiconductor optoelectronic/electronic devices (LEDs, laser diodes, HEMTs, solar cells). The company also provides complementary consulting services backed by peer-reviewed research, serving material, device, and equipment manufacturers across the global semiconductor supply chain.
Is STR Group a public or private company?
STR Group is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was STR Group founded?
STR Group was founded in 1990. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is STR Group based?
STR Group is headquartered in Erlangen, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does STR Group make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Software Licensing is the primary driver. The others are consulting Services.
Who are STR Group's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Synopsys, ANSYS, Siemens EDA (formerly Mentor Graphics), Lam Research (via SEMulator3D) and COMSOL. Direct peers are Silvaco, Crosslight Software and Nextnano. Emerging players are Global TCAD Solutions and Simucal.
Does STR Group have an API?
No public API is recorded for STR Group.
What industry is STR Group in?
STR Group's product category is Semiconductor Process Simulation Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAHAEAB, Deposition Equipment (CVD/PVD/ALD/Epitaxy), with a secondary code of HDAHAGAH, Thin-Film Deposition Materials (PVD/CVD/ALD Targets & Precursors). Its NAICS code is 33441 and its SIC code is 3674.