Quantum Leap Packaging

About Quantum Leap Packaging

Quantum Leap Packaging, Inc. (QLP) was a specialized materials science company that developed high-performance, low-cost packaging solutions for the semiconductor industry. Founded in 2002 by Dr. Michael Zimmerman, a materials scientist with a background at Bell Laboratories, the company aimed to disrupt the market for electronic and optical component packaging. Dr. Zimmerman's work, which led to a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania and professorship at Tufts University, was central to the company's technological foundation.

The firm's core business revolved around replacing expensive ceramic and metallic packaging with a proprietary Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) technology. This material offered superior thermal and electrical performance at a reduced cost. The company's flagship product was a resin technology named Quantech™, which uniquely solved historical issues with LCPs, such as adhesion to metal and stability at extremely high temperatures (above 450°C). This enabled the creation of the HermeTech™ line of plastic, air-cavity packages that could meet the stringent reliability standards of hermetic ceramic packages. These products were targeted at high-growth applications, including high-power RF-microwave assemblies, image sensors, MEMS, and optical electronic systems.

Operationally, Quantum Leap Packaging secured significant venture capital to fund its expansion and product development. The company raised a total of $30.5 million over four rounds, including a Series A of $3.5 million led by Battery Ventures and a later Series B round. This series of investments supported the scaling of its manufacturing operations. A significant milestone was achieved in August 2009 when Interplex Industries, a global component and assembly manufacturer, acquired QLP. The acquisition included all of QLP's proprietary technologies and led to the formation of Interplex QLP (iQLP), integrating the technology into Interplex's global manufacturing capabilities to broaden its commercial reach.