Eindhoven Deeptech Startup inPhocal Raises €5M to Revolutionize Laser Marking Tech

The funding round was led by Cottonwood Technology Fund, with continued backing from DeepTechXL, Brabant Development Agency (BOM), and Tech Invest.

Cottonwood, based in Colorado, is an early-stage VC firm focused on investing in deep tech and hard science innovations.

Patrick Claessen from Cottonwood Technology Fund says “The potential impact of inPhocal’s technology is enormous, particularly in sectors where speed, precision, and sustainability are critical. We are proud to deepen our commitment to the company and support their scaling journey from a promising deeptech innovator to a global industrial player.”

The new funding will help inPhocal boost its production, especially for the food and beverage industry, grow its technical and commercial teams, and expand across Europe.

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It will also support the company’s shift from pilot projects to large-scale industry use, helping deliver fast, precise, and eco-friendly laser marking solutions globally.

Robert van Tankeren, CEO of inPhocal, says, “We’re thrilled to have Cottonwood, BOM and DeepTechXL backing our vision;” said Robert van Tankeren, CEO of inPhocal. ”Their support is a strong vote of confidence in both our technology and our team. With this funding, we are ready to move to the next phase of growth, bringing our laser technology to more customers and industries worldwide”.

Founded in 2019 through the HighTechXL venture building program, inPhocal has developed a patented laser technology that transforms a standard laser into a concentric beam with a central spot.

This innovation offers up to 20 times more depth of field than traditional lasers enabling fast distortion-free marking on curved and uneven surfaces. It's ideal for high-speed engraving of items like QR codes.

inPhocal’s technology outperforms conventional laser and inkjet systems, especially in the food and beverage sector, by allowing faster print rates and wider areas—even on challenging surfaces like fresh food, cans, and bottles.

According to inPhocal, laser tech has not yet matched ink in many industries. But in bottling, its laser system can replace inkjet stamping for expiry dates and QR codes—cutting waste and saving time and money.

The company is also developing laser branding for fresh produce. Unlike inkjet marks that fade and cause food waste, inPhocal’s lasers create permanent imprints directly on the product, offering a cleaner and more reliable solution for farmers.

About inPhocal

Founded in 2019, inPhocal has developed a unique laser beam technology with a long focus depth, enabling faster, high-quality marking—even on curved surfaces. Its precision also improves wafer dicing, boosting chip yield and potentially helping address the global chip shortage through more efficient semiconductor production.