Asomlei Closes $5M Bridge Round to Deploy CNT-Based EUV Pellicle Membrane Production Line

Asomlei, a South Korean startup specializing in carbon nanotube (CNT)-based membranes and fiber materials, has closed a SeriesB bridge round worth approximately $5.0 million (KRW 7.5 billion) and built a dedicated cleanroom production line for EUV pellicle membranes at its facility in Anyang, Gyeonggi Province.

The company announced the closing on August 10, 2026.

The round was co-led by S&S Investment—the investment arm of S&S TECH, a manufacturer of photomasks and EUV pellicles—and WONIK Investment Partners. WONIK Investment Partners and Hanwha Investment & Securities participated through a defense-focused fund they jointly manage as co-GPs. Additional participating investors include REINVESTMENT, L&S Venture Capital, K-Net Investment Partners, Union Investment Partners, and Ascendo Ventures.

Asomlei will use the proceeds to stabilize production of EUV pellicle membranes, enhance its quality-management system, and fulfill customer supply commitments. The new production line marks Asomlei’s transition from a research-focused operation to a commercialization-stage materials supplier. The company is currently conducting customer evaluations and expects to begin initial shipments and generate revenue following evaluation completion.

EUV (extreme ultraviolet) lithography is a cutting-edge photolithography technology used to manufacture advanced semiconductors. A pellicle is a protective film that shields the photomask—which carries the circuit pattern—from airborne contaminants during the exposure process. EUV pellicles must exhibit high transmittance and withstand significant thermal stress. Asomlei’s CNT-based membrane is engineered to be thin, lightweight, and heat-resistant, positioning it as a leading candidate for next-generation pellicles capable of operating in high-power EUV environments.

Asomlei views the participation of a pellicle manufacturer, semiconductor materials and equipment firms, and financial investors as validation of both the technical merit and commercial potential of its CNT-based pellicle membrane. The involvement of the defense-sector fund jointly managed by WONIK Investment Partners and Hanwha Investment & Securities has also drawn attention to the broader applicability of CNT fibers and membranes in aerospace and defense markets.

Asomlei has been awarded a 36 billion-won (approximately $24 million) deep-tech development contract in the pellicle category from the Ministry of SMEs and Startups. The company has also been selected for the Korea Credit Guarantee Fund’s Unicorn Bridge program, securing a 600-million-won (approximately $400,000) grant and eligibility for technology-based credit guarantees of up to 200 billion won (approximately $133 million). The combination of private capital and government R&D support enables Asomlei to pursue technology refinement and commercialization in parallel.

To accelerate commercialization, Asomlei has strengthened its leadership team with industry veterans. Sung-chul Hong, a senior executive at S&S Investment, joined Asomlei’s board as an outside director in March 2026. Hong, who previously worked at Samsung Electronics, brings extensive experience in semiconductor photomask and pellicle development and is supporting customer evaluation and technical response. Dr. Dong-wook Lee joined as Chief Product Officer in February 2026 and oversees the pellicle business unit. Lee led new-materials commercialization initiatives at LG Chem and EcoPro BM.

In March 2026, Asomlei signed an investment agreement with Jeju Special Self-Governing Province and relocated its headquarters to Route330 inside the Jeju Science and Technology Park. Designated as a listing-support company by the provincial government, Asomlei has begun selecting an IPO underwriter and preparing for preliminary technology evaluation. The company plans to pursue a technology special-listing on KOSDAQ in 2028, contingent on the successful completion of customer evaluations and the commencement of initial shipments.

“Asomlei possesses differentiated technology and commercial readiness in CNT-based pellicle membranes,” said Sung-chul Hong, senior executive at S&S Investment and outside director at Asomlei. “Now that the company has established its production line and entered the customer-evaluation phase, we will support the build-out of a stable supply system and successful market entry.”

Se-hoon Kim, CEO of Asomlei, said, “This production-line launch and funding round mark an important milestone in Asomlei’s evolution from an R&D-centered organization to an advanced-materials supplier capable of serving customers. We will complete customer evaluations successfully, accelerate the commercialization of CNT-based EUV pellicle membranes, and secure a competitive position in the global semiconductor materials market.”

Materials startups in South Korea have attracted increasing investor interest in recent months. AI semiconductor IP specialist ArtieChron was selected for the Ministry of SMEs and Startups’ Scale-up TIPS program, securing a total of 4 billion won (approximately $2.7 million) over three years to accelerate on-device AI semiconductor development. Defense RF module manufacturer JLABS closed a pre-IPO Series B round worth 12 billion won (approximately $8.0 million).