- Share via
Breaking into a Concentrated Market
Founded in 2010, NEXTIN operates in one of the semiconductor industry’s most demanding equipment segments. Optical wafer inspection combines extremely high-resolution imaging with sophisticated image processing to identify microscopic defects that can compromise semiconductor performance and manufacturing yields.
High technological barriers have left the global market concentrated among a small number of suppliers. NEXTIN has established itself as a third player alongside much larger international competitors, supported by research capabilities in South Korea and Israel.
“We started later than our competitors, so it was very difficult to catch up,” said CEO and President Chris Park. “But we have done quite well and positioned ourselves as number three. I would not call us a fast follower, but rather the best follower.”
An Edge in 3D
The industry’s transition from traditional 2D scaling toward 3D stacking is creating new inspection requirements. NEXTIN’s two-dimensional image-stacking technology provides an important advantage in this environment, opening opportunities in advanced applications such as high-bandwidth memory.
HBM stacks multiple memory dies to provide the performance required by AI computing, making effective inspection increasingly important. A single defective component can compromise an entire stack, raising the value of technologies capable of identifying problems before assembly.
NEXTIN rolled out HBM process equipment in 2025, helping manufacturers detect defects before individual chips are stacked. Its technology is already used by a leading global HBM manufacturer, strengthening NEXTIN’s position in the fast-growing AI semiconductor supply chain.
“With new technologies come new requirements,” said Park. “Our goal is to provide better solutions and be recognized as a strategic partner.”
Scaling Beyond Asia
International expansion could provide the next stage of growth. Having built its customer base primarily across South Korea and China, NEXTIN is targeting a broader footprint through equipment shipments and evaluations in the United States, Europe and Southeast Asia.
The expansion comes as the United States seeks to strengthen domestic semiconductor manufacturing, creating opportunities for Korean technology providers with specialized equipment and manufacturing expertise. Deeper industrial cooperation could complement the longstanding security relationship between the two countries.
“The United States and Korea used to cooperate mainly on national security, but there should be new alliances,” said Park. “Korea is rich in manufacturing technologies and human resources, so cooperation would be a good choice.”
