Capital-E, a new venture fund closely related to the Belgian research centre for nanotechnology and nano-electronics IMEC, today announces a first capitalization of 35.5 million euros. Capital-E aims at two to three investment projects a year in micro- and/or nanoelectronics startups in various sectors. The fund wants to become the European reference in its domain.

On April 10, 2005 the Belgian research centre took the initiative to launch a new venture capital fund, called Capital-E. Eleven months later, the fund - together with its daughter fund Capital-E ARKiv - announces that it has gathered a total of 35.5 million euros. It is thereby ready to finance 'young potentials' within the micro- and nanoelectronics sector. Next to IMEC's contribution, injected through its daughter Fidimec NV, Capital-E secured additional investments from various (mainly institutional) Belgian players, including the Arkimedes fund of the Flemish government. In its domain, Capital-E is Belgium's largest fund that is also prepared to finance 'seed' initiatives. The management of the fund wants to become the reference in Europe in its domain.

On the short term, the focus is mainly on Flanders, but will gradually shift towards the whole of Western Europe. Before the end of 2006, Capital-E expects to announce a second close with also non-Belgian investors, bringing the total capital to 50 million euros. Capital-E specifically looks at 'early-stage' micro-electronics companies in a variety of sectors. A total of ten to fifteen projects are projected to be financed within the next five years. Capital-E will not only focus on IMEC spin-offs, but targets any microelectronics startup in various sectors such as healthcare, biotechnology...

The fund is uniquely positioned in several ways. First of all because of the privileged operational link with IMEC, a globally renowned research centre that has set up more than twenty successful spin-offs over the years. Besides this, Capital-E has a right of first refusal on IMEC spin-off incubation projects. Moreover, the managers of Capital-E partners stand out because of their entrepreneurial and industrial background, which ensures a natural fit with starting companies.

Gilbert Declerck, CEO of IMEC, announces: "Together with its daughter Fidimec NV, IMEC is very pleased to participate in Capital-E. It is our strong believe that through Capital-E, we will provide a solid base for future spin-off projects based on IMEC's intellectual property. The fact that Capital-E also invests in seed initiatives makes them an attractive partner. Capital-E allows for a fast, efficient and well-founded transition from a great idea towards a successful company."

For more information:

Capital-E
Pascal Vanluchene
mobile phone: +32 478 60 80 43
E-mail pascal.vanluchene@capital-E.be 

Wim De Graeve
mobile phone: +32 497 50 99 19
E-mail wim.degraeve@capital-E.be 

IMEC
Katrien Marent
Corporate Communication Manager IMEC
E-mail Katrien.Marent@imec.be
Tel: 016 28 18 80