How many investments has TEL Venture Capital, Inc. made?

TEL Venture Capital, Inc. has 46 tracked investments, 1 of which have exited, including 4 dated in the last 24 months.

What stage does TEL Venture Capital, Inc. invest at?

TEL Venture Capital, Inc. invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C, Growth stages.

What sectors does TEL Venture Capital, Inc. focus on?

TEL Venture Capital, Inc. focuses on AI & Machine Learning, Cleantech, Deep Tech, Energy, Hardware, IoT, Medical Devices, New Materials, Quantum Computing, Robotics, Sector Agnostic, Semiconductors.

Where is TEL Venture Capital, Inc. located?

TEL Venture Capital, Inc. is headquartered in Fremont, US.

Who does TEL Venture Capital, Inc. co-invest with?

TEL Venture Capital, Inc. most often shares deals with Intel Capital, Anzu Partners, Cisco Investments, among 91 tracked co-investors.

TEL Venture Capital, Inc.

Corporate VC

Fremont · Pre-Seed–Growth · 26 people tracked

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Investment thesis

TEL Venture Capital invests in innovative technologies that create synergies with Tokyo Electron's semiconductor and display equipment businesses, as well as adjacent fields and other silicon-processing technologies. It treats portfolio companies as partners, pursuing joint development and collaboration to realize win-win relationships. Beyond financial capital, it supports companies with technical and business development expertise, global business experience, and Tokyo Electron's technology resources and industry network. The firm is particularly interested in companies making ultra-compact sensors and real-time sensors for closed environments (measuring pressure, temperature, gas, flow, humidity, plasma characteristics) that could be integrated into cutting-edge semiconductor manufacturing equipment, and welcomes startups at any stage.

Source: firm website, verified Sep 27, 2026.

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Stage

Pre-Seed–Growth

Fremont, US

Instruments

Equity

Last 12 months

1 investment

Tracked investments

Unicorns

Acquisitions

Team · 26 people

from the firm's website & curated

Hidenori Sato· Vice President & General Partner

Joined Tokyo Electron in 1992 as an etch process engineer, later serving as a process manager for the U.S. market with deep expertise in etching equipment, 3D integration and packaging. Holds a bachelor's degree in physical chemistry from Sophia University.

Koki (Bobby) Shirai· President· US

Joined Tokyo Electron in 1985 and moved into the semiconductor production equipment business, building customer partnerships in the U.S. across product marketing and account sales roles. Also serves as President of Tokyo Electron U.S. Holdings and Chairman of Tokyo Electron America. Holds a B.A. in Economics from Keio University.

Brent Elliot· Investment Director· USin

Joined TEL Venture Capital in 2021 with 40 years of experience founding, funding and selling technology companies in front-end semiconductor capital equipment. Holds over 100 U.S. and international patents.

Jacques Berg· Investment Director· Grenoble, France

Joined TEL Venture Capital in 2015 with over 30 years in the semiconductor industry. Has been with Tokyo Electron since its European operations opened in 1994, holding sales, marketing and business development leadership roles including head of worldwide sales for TEL Solar. Based in Grenoble, France with an electronic engineering background.

Koichiro (Kobe) Araki· Investment Director· Japan

Joined TEL Venture Capital in 2017, exploring startups with technical synergies with TEL and serving as controller for investments in Japan. Previously worked in Tokyo Electron's IR and Information Systems divisions. Holds a master's degree in electronic information engineering from Yokohama National University.

Ted Hirose· Investment Director· Silicon Valleyin

Joined TEL in 1997 and moved to TEL Venture Capital (US) in 2007, with 20 years of experience in venture investment, strategic alliances, and new business planning. Based in the Silicon Valley office covering semiconductor process, display technology, new materials, AI, industrial tech, and medical devices.

Tetsuo (Ted) Hirose· Investment Director· Silicon Valley

Joined TEL in 1997 and moved to TEL Venture Capital in 2007, bringing 20 years of venture investment and corporate planning experience. Based in Silicon Valley, he leads U.S. startup scouting, due diligence and portfolio management across semiconductor, display, advanced materials, AI, industrial and med tech.

Todd Mihara· Investment Director· Silicon Valleyin

Joined TEL Venture Capital in 2012 and is based in Silicon Valley, focused on innovation through startup collaboration. Has investment experience across Israel, Canada, Japan, and the US, plus over 10 years in semiconductor lithography business planning and sales. Holds a degree from Sophia University.

Tsuyoshi (Todd) Mihara· Investment Director· Silicon Valley

Joined TEL Venture Capital in 2012 and is based in Silicon Valley, focused on investment in Asia and Israel. Has broad venture investment experience across Israel, Canada, Japan and the U.S., plus a background in semiconductor business planning and lithography. Holds a B.A. in economics from Sophia University.

Raphaella Ricciardi· Investment Director· United Statesin

Raphaella Ricciardi works on corporate restructuring across the U.K. and international jurisdictions, concentrating on the finance, banking, energy, shipping, and retail industries. Her work has included advising on Avation PLC's bond restructuring and Voyager Aviation Holdings' Chapter 11 cases, acting as plan administrator for the US$1.19 billion China Fishery Group restructuring, and representing CATCo Reinsurance Opportunities Fund Ltd. in Bermuda. She holds a J.D. and M.B.A. from Cornell University, an M.A. from Columbia University, and a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania, and is admitted to practice in England & Wales and New York.

Dave Hurley· Investment Director· Europein

Joined TEL Venture Capital as a Senior Venture Partner in 2023, handling investments and startup engagement in Europe and supporting TEL Europe's EU Chips Act activities. Previously founded and led TEL Magnetic Solutions as CEO. Holds a Ph.D. in physics from Trinity College Dublin.

Sergey Fedotov· Investment Manager· Silicon Valleyin

Joined TEL Venture Capital in 2023 as a Venture Partner focused on U.S. investments, with 10 years of experience growing, fundraising and acquiring startups in advanced displays, optics and electronics materials. Holds a B.Sc. in Economics from the London School of Economics.

Mark Fox· Venture Partner - Asia, Israel and US· Toronto, Ontario, Canadain

William Laxton· Venture Partner· London, England, United Kingdomin

Chief Executive Officer of Mactaggart Family & Partners and Managing Director of Mactaggart Heritable Ltd and Mactaggart Hotel Holdings. A real estate professional focused on UK city-centre office and hotel developments, transaction origination and capital raising.

Alan Park· Investment Manager· Korea

Joined TEL Venture Capital in 2024 as a researcher in Korea after seven years at TEL Korea. Has over 20 years of experience with equipment, parts and materials at a major Korean semiconductor chip maker. Majored in mechanical design at Hanyang University.

Ariel Buczak· Legal staff

Provides legal review of investment transactions, commercial agreements and IP protection strategies for TEL Venture Capital, with experience representing emerging companies and VC investors in seed-to-growth financings, M&A and corporate matters. Also supports TEL Group's U.S. manufacturing operations.

Ken Matsuse· Accelerator

Joined TEL Venture Capital in 2013 as a senior researcher, evaluating startups and their markets from a technical perspective. Experienced in energy storage and solar PV, previously TEL's PV business development director, with over 20 years in the semiconductor industry. Holds a master's from Osaka University.

Kimihiro (Ken) Matsuse· Accelerator

Joined TEL Venture Capital in 2013 as a senior researcher, studying startups and their markets from a technology perspective. Has over 20 years of semiconductor industry experience in sales, marketing and process engineering, especially CVD and PV. Holds a master's degree in fluidics simulation from Osaka University.

Maria Alonso· Legal staff

Advises TEL Venture Capital on due diligence and CFIUS clearances for investment transactions, and serves as an international trade and compliance attorney for Tokyo Electron U.S. Holdings covering EAR, sanctions and customs matters.

Richard "Rick" Turner· Corporate Secretary & Treasurer· Austin

Serves as Secretary & Treasurer of TEL Venture Capital and as EVP, CFO and GM Administration for Tokyo Electron U.S. Holdings, with over 35 years in finance and operations in the semiconductor equipment industry. A CPA with multiple certifications, he holds degrees from Virginia Tech, Christopher Newport University and St. Edward's University.

Sandra Rifai· Regional Advisor· Boston & East Coast

Regional advisor for the Boston and East Coast area with a career consulting for startups across sensors, biotech, advanced materials and electronics as a technology and market intelligence specialist. Former MIT postdoctoral fellow with a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from the University of Ottawa.

Takenao (Takee) Nemoto· Technical Fellow

Joined TEL Venture Capital in 2016 with over 10 years in CVD marketing and business development plus management roles in CVD and etching systems. Former associate professor at Tohoku University, where he earned his Ph.D. in engineering.

Tomohiko (Tomo) Niizeki· Investment Manager· Japanin

Joined TEL Venture Capital in 2022, focused on investment in Japan and technical staff work. Has over 10 years of academic research experience and led development of high-density plasma HARC etching equipment. Holds a Ph.D. in applied physics from Tohoku University (2005).

Willy Chen· Researcher· Taiwan

Joined TEL Venture Capital in 2025 as a researcher based in Taiwan, focused on investment there, after four years in TEL Taiwan's procurement team. Has over 20 years of experience across chip manufacturing, equipment customization and business development. Holds a B.S. in chemical engineering from Yuan-Ze Institute of Technology.

Yusaku (Zack) Yamada· Investment Manager· Japanin

Joined TEL Venture Capital in 2024, responsible for scouting startups in Japan. Previously worked in Tokyo Electron's business planning department on market analysis and partnerships. Holds a B.A. in sociology from Tsuru University.

Joseph Orozco· Venture Capitalist· Greater Toronto Area, Canada

What they invest in

from 21 of 46 portfolio companies

Deep Tech ×14Hardware ×14Semiconductors ×13AI & Machine Learning ×8Advanced Manufacturing ×6New Materials ×5Cleantech ×3Enterprise Software ×2

HQs:United States×13Japan×6Germany×2France×2Australia×1

Who they back

founder profiles across 14 portfolio companies

57%

solo founders

8 of 14 mapped founding teams

Founding team size:solo founder×82 founders×54+ founders×1

What their founders studiedfrom 10 founders with field-of-study data

Engineering ×3Physics ×3

Investments · 46 tracked

founders shown can be your intro path

By year:2026 · 1 2025 · 3 2022 · 1 2020 · 1 2017 · 1 2014 · 4 2013 · 112 dated

Adaptive Surface Technologiesadaptivesurface.techFeb 2022

Cambridge, US

Jimmy Williams Jr.(Director)Grant Tremelling(Executive Officer)David Ward(Executive Officer, Director)Joanna Aizenberg(Director)Curtis Maas(Director)Andrew Stevenson(Director)

Co-investorsAnzu Partners

Alediaaledia.com in

Aledia develops next-generation MicroLED display technology based on 3D nanowires grown on silicon, operating a pilot line and high-volume production facility.

Deep TechHardwareSemiconductorsGrenoble, FR

philippe GILET(Founder)in

Co-investorsBraemar Energy Ventures Intel Capital Demeter Ingka Investments Sofinnova Ventures Supernova +3 more

Applied Nanolayersappliednanolayers.com

Black Semiconductor develops integrated photonics and electronics chip technology using graphene to enable energy-efficient, high-speed data communication for AI, robotics, autonomous driving, and high-performance computing applications.

AI & Machine LearningDeep TechSemiconductorsAachen, DE

Dr. Daniel Schall(Co-founder & CEO)Sebastian Schall(Co-founder)in

Cellidcellid.com in

Cellid is a fabless company developing AR glasses displays (waveguides) and spatial recognition engines for next-generation devices.

AI & Machine LearningDeep TechHardwareRoppongi, JP

Ken Shirakami(Representative Director & CEO)SATOSHI SHIRAGA(Founder)inKen Shiragami(Representative Director & CEO)

Co-investors15th Rock Global Brain Techstars Development Bank of Japan FFG Venture Business Partners IMM Investment +2 more

ChEmpowerchempower-corp.comApr 2025 · $18.7M

ChemPower develops an abrasive-free chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) technology and materials for advanced semiconductor chip manufacturing.

Advanced ManufacturingCleantechNew MaterialsSemiconductorsBeaverton, US

Sudhanshu Misra(CEO)inSV Babu(CTO)

Board SCOTT SHAW(Director)inOWEN LOZMAN(Director)JESSICA FREYER(Director)inBABU SURYADEVARA(Director)

Co-investorsFoothill Ventures In-Q-Tel Intel Capital M Ventures Pangaea Ventures Us Inc.Portland Seed Fund +3 more

Enthoughtenthought.com in 𝕏

Enthought provides scientific computing services, enterprise scientific software development, and digital transformation for science, applying Python, AI/machine learning, and simulation to research and R&D problems.

AI & Machine LearningDeep TechEnterprise Software

Eric Jones(Founder, Chairman & CEO)in

Floadiafloadia.com in 𝕏

Floadia develops and licenses non-volatile embedded memory IP, including manufacturing process technology and circuit designs, to semiconductor makers and foundries.

AI & Machine LearningDeep TechHardwareSemiconductorsKodaira, JP

Kosuke Okuyama(President & CEO)

Co-investorsIDATEN Ventures Marubeni Ventures Inc.Miyako Capital UMC Capital UntroD Capital

FMCferroelectric-memory.com in

FMC is a semiconductor company developing non-volatile memory solutions, spun from EU research institutions with R&D and manufacturing operations across Europe, the US, Japan, and Taiwan.

Deep TechHardwareSemiconductorsDresden, DE

Thomas Rueckes(Chief Executive Officer)in Ayman Abouelwafa(Chief Product Officer)inNorm Armour(Chief Operating Officer)in Raj Jammy(President Global BU & CTO)in

Co-investorsBosch Ventures DeepTech & Climate Fonds imec.xpand HV Capital M Ventures Universal Materials Incubator +2 more

Fortaegis Technologiesfortaegis.com inAug 2025

Fortaegis is a security-focused technology company that builds foundational infrastructure for securing AI, quantum, and advanced computing systems.

AI & Machine LearningCybersecurityDefense Tech

Co-investorsAccess Ventures (New York)Serendipity Capital

Genalytegenalyte.com in 𝕏

Genalyte develops Merlin, a real-time diagnostic system that performs laboratory testing directly in clinical settings and integrates results with electronic health records.

Digital HealthHardwareHealthtechMedical DevicesSan Diego, US

Cary Gunn(Founder)in

Co-investorsBioBrit Boutique Venture Partners Claremont Creek Ventures CLI Ventures FusionX Ventures HBM Healthcare Investments +7 more

Hinaleahinaleaimaging.com in 𝕏

Hinalea Imaging builds hyperspectral imaging systems that pair spectral and spatial imaging hardware with custom AI/machine learning software for real-time analysis.

AI & Machine LearningDeep TechHardware

Co-investorsPangaea Ventures Us Inc.

Hprobehprobe.com inFeb 2020

Hprobe designs, manufactures, and markets automated wafer-level testing equipment for magnetic devices such as MRAM and magnetic sensors, using a patented 3D magnetic field generator technology.

Deep TechDeveloper ToolsHardwareSemiconductorsGrenoble, FR

Siamak Salimy(Founder)in

Co-investorsHigh Tech Gruenderfonds BNP Paribas Développement HTGF

Light Polymerslightpolymers.com inJul 2017 · $5M

Light Polymers develops lyotropic liquid crystal materials and coatable polarizer solutions for displays and optical applications in electronics, mixed reality headsets, automotive displays, and microLED technologies.

Deep TechHardwareNew MaterialsSanta Clara, US

William Bandelin

Luxteraluxtera.comOct 2013

Global leader in silicon photonics, first to achieve direct 'fiber to the chip' integration on CMOS.

Carlsbad, US

Eli Yablonovitch(Director)Greg Young(Executive Officer, Director)inTom Foody(Executive Officer)Axel Scherer(Founder)

BoardAndy Rappaport(Director)Rohini Chakravarthy(Director)in

Co-investorsATEL Ventures August Capital Cisco Investments OUP (Osage University Partners)New Enterprise Associates (NEA)

Molecular Imprintsmolecularimprints.comApr 2014

Market and technology leader in nanopatterning using Jet and Flash Imprint Lithography (J-FIL) technology (acquired).

Austin, US

David Gino(Executive Officer, Director)

BoardDaniel I. Rubin(Director)Wilbert van den Hoek(Director)Edward Grady(Director)

Co-investorsOwl Capital

Nanosysnanosys.com inAcquired

Nanosys develops Quantum Dot technology and materials, providing samples, R&D collaboration, and scaled production for partners building display and other advanced-material products.

Advanced ManufacturingDeep TechHardwareNew MaterialsSemiconductorsMilpitas, US

Jason Hartlove(Executive Officer, Director)inJian Chen(Executive Officer)in Russell Kempt(Executive Officer)inNoland Granberry(Executive Officer)inDr. Martin Devenney(Co Chief Executive Officer and Assistant Secretary)Dr. Hirokazu Sasaki(President & CEO and Treasurer, Shoei Electronic Materials, Inc. • Operating Officer & Division Manager QD Business Dept., Shoei Chemical, Inc.)

Co-investorsArcher Capital Group Archer Venture Capital Prospect Venture Partners Structural Capital Venrock ARCH Venture Partners +4 more

Nanteronantero.com

Nantero develops NRAM, a carbon nanotube-based nonvolatile random access memory, plus other nanotube semiconductor technologies.

Woburn, US

Greg Schmergel(Executive Officer, Director)

Board Dave Fachetti(Director)Bruce Sachs(Director)Jennifer Fonstad(Director)Margaret Seif(Director)OB Bilous(Director)

Co-investorsBantam Group Cisco Investments Dell Technologies Capital Globespan Capital Partners ZMT Capital Draper Fisher Jurvetson (DFJ)

Numat Technologiesnumat.com in 𝕏

Numat develops metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and manufactures them at industrial scale through an integrated campus with ISO 9001:2015 certified quality management.

Advanced ManufacturingCleantechDeep TechNew MaterialsIllinois, US

Ben Hernandez(Founder and Chief Executive Officer)inDr. Omar Farha(Founder and Chief Scientific Officer)

BoardT. Jay Collins(Director)Bill Kroll(Director)Luka Erceg(Director)Jeff Klunzinger(Director)

Co-investorsGlobal Brain GOOSE Capital Rapha Capital Management, LLC Universal Materials Incubator

Opt Creationoptc.co.jp

A service that recruits customers seeking orthodontic braces through social media and refers them to dental clinics.

B2B MarketplacesBiotechHealthtechMedical DevicesTokyo, JP

Phosiophosio.com inMar 2026

Phosio develops UV-curable metal oxide precursors that enable low-temperature deposition for optical and electronic components used in smart glasses, semiconductors, and display technologies.

Advanced ManufacturingHardwareNew MaterialsSemiconductorsCorvallis, US

Omid Sadeghi(Chief Executive Officer)in

Board Bryn Pilney(Director)inAndrew Greenville(Director)Joe O'Keeffe(Director)

Co-investorsElevate Capital MESH Silicon Catalyst Sierra Ventures

Pivotal Systemspivotalsys.com inDec 2014

Pivotal Systems develops gas flow control equipment for semiconductor wafer manufacturing, combining flow measurement and control valve technology to improve performance beyond current industry standards.

Advanced ManufacturingAI & Machine LearningHardwareSemiconductorsFremont, US

John Hoffman(Executive Officer, Director)Omesh Sharma(Executive Officer)inJoseph Monkowski(Executive Officer, Director)

Board Kevin Landis(Director)in

Co-investorsAnzu Partners Firsthand Technology Value Fund Firsthand Capital

Preferred Networkspreferred.jp in 𝕏

Preferred Networks vertically integrates computer science technologies from semiconductors and computing infrastructure to solutions and applications, developing AI/machine learning systems including the domestically-built large language model PLaMo and the MN-Core AI processor series.

AI & Machine LearningDeep TechEnterprise SoftwareSemiconductorsTokyo, JP

西川徹(Co-founder)岡野原大輔(Co-founder)

Co-investorsTBS Innovation Partners Development Bank of Japan Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Mitsui & Co Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank

PSI Quantumpsiquantum.com in 𝕏May 2025

PsiQuantum builds fault-tolerant quantum computers using photonic qubits and semiconductor manufacturing processes.

Deep TechHardwareQuantum ComputingSemiconductorsMoreton Bay, AU

Prof. Terry Rudolph(Co-founder & Chief Architect)Dr. Pete Shadbolt(Co-founder & Chief Scientific Officer)inProf. Mark Thompson(Co-founder & Chief Technology Officer)Jeremy O'Brien(Co-founder & Executive Chairman)in Victor Peng(Chief Executive Officer)inMark Thompson(Founder)

Co-investorsAtomico Blackbird Ventures C4 Ventures Cold Start Ventures FOG Ventures Founders Fund +38 more

ネクスファイ・テクノロジーnexfi-tech.com

NexFi Technology Inc. develops, manufactures, and sells high-voltage power equipment using next-generation SiC (silicon carbide) power devices.

CleantechDeep TechEnergyHardwareSemiconductorsOsaka, JP

Takashi Nakamura(代表取締役社長 (President & CEO))

Co-investorsOSAKA University Venture Capital

筑波精工tsukubaseiko.co.jp

Tsukuba Seiko develops electrostatic chuck technology using electrostatic fields, including fixed in-equipment chucks and its "Supporter" tool that addresses wafer warping and cracking during thin-wafer semiconductor manufacturing.

Advanced ManufacturingHardwareSemiconductors

Other

Tracked investments with no reachable website or further public details — typically companies that wound down, renamed, or were absorbed.

ANMSCelestryCrystal SolarEN2CORE TechnologyEnerVaultINVARIUMLiolaMioxNaidunNanoGramNexFi TechnologyPMLQromisQuantum14SBA MaterialsUnidymVista TherapeuticsWooptixアドテックスビジネスプラン提案はこちら東京エレクトロンとのシナジーがある革新技術について貴社のプランをお聞かせください。

Portfolio news

latest coverage across their companies

Phosio Corporation Secures $4.0 | Signalbase

Phosio · trysignalbase.com · Jun 3, 2026

FMC Raises €100M in Funding

FMC · finsmes.com · Nov 14, 2025

PFN Raises Additional Fund in Latest Extension Round - Preferred Networks, Inc.

Preferred Networks · preferred.jp · Jun 30, 2025

ChEmpower Raises $18.7M in Funding

ChEmpower · finsmes.com · Apr 24, 2025

Cellid Raises Over $7.5M in Series C Extension

Cellid · finsmes.com · Apr 16, 2025

Frequently asked questions

How many investments has TEL Venture Capital, Inc. made?: TEL Venture Capital, Inc. has 46 tracked investments, 1 of which have exited, including 4 dated in the last 24 months.
What stage does TEL Venture Capital, Inc. invest at?: TEL Venture Capital, Inc. invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C, Growth stages.
What sectors does TEL Venture Capital, Inc. focus on?: TEL Venture Capital, Inc. focuses on AI & Machine Learning, Cleantech, Deep Tech, Energy, Hardware, IoT, Medical Devices, New Materials, Quantum Computing, Robotics, Sector Agnostic, Semiconductors.
Where is TEL Venture Capital, Inc. located?: TEL Venture Capital, Inc. is headquartered in Fremont, US.
Who does TEL Venture Capital, Inc. co-invest with?: TEL Venture Capital, Inc. most often shares deals with Intel Capital, Anzu Partners, Cisco Investments, among 91 tracked co-investors.