Dutch Chip Inspection Firm Raises $380M, Hits Unicorn Status

Nearfield Instruments, a Rotterdam-based semiconductor metrology company, has raised $380 million in a Series D round led by Fidelity Management & Research Company, with participation from Temasek, Qatar Investment Authority, and others. The raise is the largest ever by a Dutch company, pushing Nearfield's valuation to $1.6 billion. The company develops 3D scanning equipment that inspects microscopic chip structures during manufacturing, helping chipmakers detect defects in real time and improve production yields. As AI drives demand for increasingly complex chip architectures, Nearfield plans to use the funds to expand production capacity and establish global research centers with major semiconductor manufacturers.