IMS CHIPS
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1983
- HeadquartersStuttgart, Germany
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
IMS CHIPS firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- IMS CHIPS
- Legal name
- Institut für Mikroelektronik Stuttgart (IMS CHIPS) Stiftung des bürgerlichen Rechts
- Website
- https://ims-chips.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1983
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
IMS CHIPS industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Microelectronics Research and Manufacturing Services
- NAICS
- Semiconductor and Related Device Manufacturing (334413), Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing (3344)
- SIC
- Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827), Electromedical & Electrotherapeutic Apparatus (3845)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Sensors, MEMS & Imaging ICs (HDAHAAAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Optoelectronics & Photonics (LED/Laser/Optical ICs) (HDAHAAAH), Custom/ASIC & Foundry-Adjacent IDM Services (HDAHAAAL), Power Management & Power Conversion ICs (PMIC/DC‑DC/AC‑DC/Gate Drivers) (HDAHABAE)
Keywords
Where IMS CHIPS is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Stuttgart
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
IMS CHIPS business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Contract Research and Manufacturing: B2B contract research and manufacturing services for industrial partners. IMS CHIPS supplies high-precision microelectronic and nano-optical components as well as complex microsystems with IECQ certification. Revenue generated through development contracts and production services.
- Publicly Funded Research Projects: Participation in EU-funded projects (Chips JU, ECSEL), BMBF projects, and Baden-Württemberg government funded research. Examples include P4Q (€50M total budget), All2GaN (€60M total budget), and multiple other quantum and microelectronics projects.
- Technology Transfer Services: Technological transfer to industry through the innBW Innovation Alliance, providing access to funding programs for innovative SME projects and collaborative development.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
IMS CHIPS product offering
Product offeringCore offering
IMS CHIPS delivers B2B contract research and small-series manufacturing of microelectronic and nano-optical components as well as complex microsystems. The institute operates four business areas — Integrated Circuits & Systems, Silicon Photonics, M(E)MS Technologies, and Nanostructuring — supported by IECQ-certified cleanroom facilities that provide near-complete design-to-manufacturing capability under one roof for industrial partners and SMEs.
Product overview
IMS CHIPS (Institut für Mikroelektronik Stuttgart) is a research institute offering a comprehensive portfolio of microelectronics and nanotechnology solutions. The core offerings include four main technology pillars: Integrated Circuits & Systems, Silicon Photonics, M(E)MS Technologies, and Nanostructuring. These are supported by semiconductor process services providing complete design and manufacturing capabilities, including certified cleanroom facilities. The portfolio includes specialized components such as germanium-on-silicon photodetectors for quantum applications, Thin-Film Lithium Niobate (LNOI) platforms for quantum optics, GaN power electronics for energy efficiency, and silicon carbide quantum sensors. For industrial AI applications, IMS CHIPS develops proprietary AI sensors through the DoRiE project that evaluate sensor data at the edge. Medical technology products include smart catheters with multi-channel signal readout, the PanaMEA blood glucose implant, and flexible Hybrid Systems-in-Foil (HySiF) sensor systems. Additional offerings encompass HDRC high-dynamic-range image sensors, Optical Phased Array LiDAR systems, and photonic quantum processors for measurement-based quantum computing.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Contract Research and Small-Series Manufacturing Services
- Semiconductor Process Services
- IECQ-Certified Cleanroom Manufacturing Services
- HDRC CMOS Image Sensors with Global Shutter
- Germanium-on-Silicon SPAD Photodetectors
- Optical Phased Array (OPA) Solid-State LiDAR
- DoRiE Edge-AI Sensors
- PanaMEA Blood Glucose Implant
- Smart Catheters and POSITION-II Open Technology Platforms
- Hybrid Systems-in-Foil (HySiF) Flexible Sensor Foils
- PhotonQ Measurement-Based Photonic Quantum Processor
Quantifiable outcome
- GaN chips can improve energy efficiency by 30% compared to common semiconductor solutions, potentially saving 218 million tons of CO2 worldwide
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use IMS CHIPS
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles7 records
IMS CHIPS technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability9 records
Feature6 records
IMS CHIPS partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Germanium Quantum DetectorscoreThe start-up Germanium Quantum Detectors works closely with IMS CHIPS to develop and manufacture innovative germanium-on-silicon photodetectors at IMS CHIPS cleanroom facilities. The technology based on Single-Photon Avalanche Diodes (SPADs) targets quantum communication, medical technology, and autonomous driving applications.
- Q.ANTcorePartnership with Q.ANT for development of photonic AI processors. IMS CHIPS provides manufacturing capabilities for photonic chips while Q.ANT brings quantum photonics expertise for energy-efficient AI hardware solutions. Featured in SZ Dossier and national news coverage.
- European CommissionmajorEuropean Commission representatives visited IMS CHIPS for exchange on research, innovation, and technology transfer. IMS CHIPS participates in EU-funded projects including Chips Joint Undertaking initiatives.
- Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism Baden-WürttembergmajorClose collaboration with the state ministry on innovation and technology transfer initiatives. Minister Dr. Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut symbolically handed over €1.3M funding check for Photonic AI project.
- Innovationsallianz Baden-Württemberg (innBW)coreIMS CHIPS is a member of the Innovation Alliance Baden-Württemberg, engaging in technological transfer to industry. The alliance comprises 13 non-university research institutes supporting technology transfer from research to industry in Baden-Württemberg.
- University of StuttgartcoreClose partnership enabling PhD studies at the university. IMS CHIPS combines university research with industrial applications. Collaboration on QSens quantum sensor cluster.
- microTEC SüdwestcoreTechnology network bringing together industry, research, and development to drive innovation. IMS CHIPS actively involved with Ulrike Passlack elected to Board of Directors.
- Institute for Nano- and Microelectronics INESminorResearch network partner focused on nano- and microelectronics.
- Infineon AustriamajorLead partner in All2GaN project (€60M budget) for affordable smart GaN IC solutions for greener applications, involving 45 partners from 12 countries.
- University of Stuttgart (Institute for Robust Power Semiconductor Systems)coreENSPECT project partner investigating radiation effects on GaN-based power electronics for space applications.
- Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State PhysicsminorENSPECT project partner collaborating on GaN power electronics reliability for space.
- TESAT-Spacecom GmbH & Co KGminorENSPECT project partner, leading international supplier of satellite electronics, exposing GaN components to simulated space radiation.
- mfd Diagnostics GmbHminorPanaMEA project partner developing intelligent blood sugar monitoring implants. IMS CHIPS responsible for ASIC development.
- CorTec GmbHminorPanaMEA project partner for intelligent blood sugar monitoring implant development.
- NMI Natural and Medical Sciences InstituteminorPanaMEA project partner from University of Tübingen for medical implant development.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
IMS CHIPS competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- CEA-Leti: French microelectronics R&D institute doing contract research in CMOS, MEMS, photonics, and power electronics with industrial pilot lines. Highly comparable in business model and technology breadth, though significantly larger in scale.
- CSEM (Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique): Swiss applied research center providing contract R&D in microelectronics, MEMS, photonics, and quantum sensing for industrial customers. Closely aligned business model, technology portfolio, and customer type.
- Fraunhofer IZM: German Fraunhofer institute specializing in electronic packaging, system integration, and MEMS-based microsystems. Comparable in semiconductor contract R&D services with cleanroom infrastructure and industrial customer focus.
- Tyndall National Institute: Irish research institute specializing in microelectronics, photonics, and semiconductor device fabrication with industry contract research services. Directly comparable in mission, technology scope, and operating model.
- Fraunhofer IPMS: German Fraunhofer institute specializing in photonic microsystems, MEMS, and integrated sensor systems with cleanroom-based contract research services. Directly comparable in technology portfolio (photonics + MEMS) and contract research business model.
- IMEC: Belgian semiconductor research center with extensive cleanroom infrastructure and contract R&D services across advanced ICs, photonics, MEMS, and quantum technologies. Direct peer in business model and technology scope, though at much larger scale.
- IHP GmbH – Leibniz Institute for High Performance Microelectronics: German Leibniz Institute doing microelectronics R&D and contract manufacturing in Frankfurt (Oder), with a similar public-funded research model focused on silicon germanium, photonics, and wireless systems. Closely comparable operating model and customer base to IMS CHIPS.
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland: Finnish government-owned contract research organization offering microelectronics, photonics, MEMS, and quantum technology R&D services with cleanroom facilities. Similar public-funded applied research model serving industrial customers.
Broad incumbents
- Infineon Technologies: Global semiconductor leader and lead partner of the All2GaN consortium alongside IMS CHIPS. Comparable in GaN power electronics and semiconductor manufacturing, but operates at much larger commercial scale with broader product portfolio.
Emerging players
- Vanguard Automation: German startup and IMS CHIPS consortium partner on the PhotonQ project, developing hybrid integration and packaging for photonic quantum computing. Comparable emerging player in silicon photonics manufacturing tooling.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
IMS CHIPS social profiles
Digital presenceIMS CHIPS financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
IMS CHIPS leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
IMS CHIPS funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
IMS CHIPS 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 IMS CHIPS
What does IMS CHIPS do?
IMS CHIPS delivers B2B contract research and small-series manufacturing of microelectronic and nano-optical components as well as complex microsystems. The institute operates four business areas — Integrated Circuits & Systems, Silicon Photonics, M(E)MS Technologies, and Nanostructuring — supported by IECQ-certified cleanroom facilities that provide near-complete design-to-manufacturing capability under one roof for industrial partners and SMEs.
Is IMS CHIPS a public or private company?
IMS CHIPS is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was IMS CHIPS founded?
IMS CHIPS was founded in 1983. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is IMS CHIPS based?
IMS CHIPS is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does IMS CHIPS make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Contract Research and Manufacturing is the primary driver. The others are publicly Funded Research Projects and technology Transfer Services.
Who are IMS CHIPS's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are CEA-Leti, CSEM (Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique), Fraunhofer IZM, Tyndall National Institute, Fraunhofer IPMS, IMEC, IHP GmbH – Leibniz Institute for High Performance Microelectronics and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland. Infineon Technologies is listed as a broad incumbent. Vanguard Automation is listed as an emerging player.
Does IMS CHIPS have an API?
No public API is recorded for IMS CHIPS.
What industry is IMS CHIPS in?
IMS CHIPS's product category is Microelectronics Research and Manufacturing Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAHAAAG, Sensors, MEMS & Imaging ICs, with a secondary code of HDAHAAAH, Optoelectronics & Photonics (LED/Laser/Optical ICs). Its NAICS code is 334413 and its SIC code is 3823.