Kateeva

Newark, CA Hardware Private

Kateeva is a manufacturer of inkjet printing equipment used in the production of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays. The company's YIELDjet platform leverages precision inkjet printing to perform critical thin-film encapsulation and pixel-deposition steps in OLED display manufacturing, enabling mass-production of flexible OLED panels. Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Newark, California, Kateeva supplies equipment to leading display makers including Samsung Display, BOE, and other Asian panel manufacturers.

Overview

Company data and valuation marks are estimates and may be incomplete, stale, erroneous, or revised.

Founded

2008

Employees

201–500

Total Funding

$191.4M

5 rounds

Funding

Total raised $191.4M across 5 rounds

Funding data and valuation marks are estimates and may be incomplete, stale, erroneous, or revised.

Last updated 06-25-2026

Latest Round

Type

Series E

Date

May 19, 2016

Amount

$88M

Valuation

Lead Investors

BOECybernaut VentureGP Capital ShanghaiRedview CapitalTCL Capital
DateRoundAmount RaisedValuationLead Investors
May 19, 2016 Series E $88M BOE, Cybernaut Venture, GP Capital Shanghai +2 more
January 13, 2014 Series D $38M Samsung Venture Investment Corporation
October 1, 2012 Series C $45M Madrone Capital Partners

Leadership

  • Bin Liu

    Chief Executive Officer

  • Conor Madigan

    Co-Founder

  • Eli Vronsky

    Co-Founder, Chief Product Officer

  • Steve Van Slyke

    CTO Emeritus

Competitors

Competitor list is illustrative and may be incomplete, stale, or erroneous.

  • Tokyo Electron

    Japanese semiconductor and display production equipment maker; supplies OLED inkjet printing systems used in LG Display's commercial large-OLED production lines.

  • Semes

    South Korean semiconductor and display equipment manufacturer (Samsung affiliate) that produces OLED inkjet printing equipment.

  • Toray Engineering

    Japanese equipment maker offering inkjet printing systems for OLED display manufacturing.

  • Notion Systems

    German manufacturer of industrial inkjet printing systems used in OLED and display production.

  • JOLED

    Japanese OLED display maker that developed in-house printed-OLED production technology (filed for bankruptcy in 2023).

  • Wuhan Guochuangke Optoelectronic Equipment

    Chinese OLED inkjet printing equipment manufacturer competing in the domestic Chinese display equipment market.

Kateeva Investment FAQ

Public status and buying access

No. Kateeva is a private company and does not have a public stock ticker or trade on a public stock exchange. Its shares are generally held by founders, employees, investors, and other private shareholders. Buyers and sellers may be able to transact in Kateeva shares through private secondary transactions, but any transaction depends on share availability, buyer and seller agreement, transfer restrictions, company approval rights, and any applicable right of first refusal. There is no guarantee that Kateeva will complete an IPO or other liquidity event.

Yes, it is sometimes possible to buy Kateeva shares pre-IPO through private secondary transactions. This depends on finding a willing seller, company approval, and satisfying any transfer restrictions or rights of first refusal.

Buyers interested in buying Kateeva shares on the secondary market typically do so through SetterVC and other secondary-market platforms, subject to eligibility requirements, share availability, transfer restrictions, and issuer approval. Buyers may need to satisfy sophistication, accreditation, institutional, platform, regulatory, or other eligibility requirements before participating. Once eligible, buyers may be able to view listings, make bids, and work with a licensed broker through the transaction process. Buyers should ensure they have appropriate legal and financial advisors guiding them before completing any transaction.

Valuation and funding

Kateeva's latest disclosed funding round was a Series E round in May 19, 2016. The round raised approximately $88M, with BOE, Cybernaut Venture, GP Capital Shanghai, Redview Capital and TCL Capital listed as disclosed lead or major investors. Primary funding rounds are different from secondary transactions: in a primary round, capital goes to the company, while in a secondary transaction, investors buy existing shares from current shareholders. Funding-round data reflects publicly reported or collected information and may be incomplete.

Kateeva has raised approximately $191.4M in disclosed funding across 5 rounds. These figures reflect primary capital raised by the company and do not include every possible secondary transaction, undisclosed round, debt facility, or private transfer. Reported funding totals can change as new rounds are announced or older round details are corrected. Eligible users can use SetterVC to track Kateeva's funding history alongside private-market activity where available.

Kateeva's disclosed investors include BOE, Cybernaut Venture, GP Capital Shanghai, Redview Capital, TCL Capital and Samsung Venture Investment Corporation. Investor lists are based on public reporting, company announcements, and collected funding-round data, and may be incomplete. Participation in a prior funding round does not mean those investors are currently buying or selling shares. On SetterVC, eligible users can review Kateeva's funding history, valuation history, and private-market activity alongside other venture-backed companies.

Market context

Kateeva's most-cited competitors include Tokyo Electron, Semes, Toray Engineering, Notion Systems, JOLED and Wuhan Guochuangke Optoelectronic Equipment. Investors often compare these companies by sector, product focus, valuation, funding raised, growth signals, investor base, and private-market activity.

Secondary-market demand for Kateeva shares can be affected by company performance, revenue growth, profitability, funding history, valuation, investor interest, sector momentum, public-market conditions, expected timing of a liquidity event, and the availability of shares for sale. Demand can also be affected by transfer restrictions, company approval rights, right of first refusal processes, limited information, and the price expectations of buyers and sellers. Strong demand does not guarantee strong pricing, liquidity, or investment returns. Weak demand does not necessarily reflect the company's long-term prospects. Demand signals should not be treated as a recommendation or prediction of investment performance. Buyers and sellers should treat demand signals as informational and conduct their own diligence before transacting.

Selling and transaction mechanics

Sellers often rely on intermediaries and platforms, such as SetterVC and other secondary-market platforms, to identify potential buyers. The exact process varies by company and transaction, but sellers often begin by confirming their ownership, desired price, transferability, and any company approval or notice requirements. If the seller agrees with a buyer on acceptable price and terms, the company may need to be notified through a share transfer notice or similar process. If a right of first refusal, company approval right, or other transfer restriction applies, the seller may need to wait until that process is completed. The parties may then execute a purchase and sale agreement, complete required transfer documentation, and close if all required conditions are satisfied. Sellers should always seek proper legal and financial advice before completing the transaction.

Yes, current and former Kateeva employees, early investors, and other existing shareholders may be able to sell vested shares before an IPO through a private secondary sale. This is not automatic; it depends on whether the shareholder has transferable shares, whether there is buyer demand, and whether the company's governing documents permit the transfer. Many companies require prior notice, company approval, or a right of first refusal before shares can be sold. Sellers should also seek proper legal and financial advice before proceeding.

A Kateeva secondary transaction usually involves an existing shareholder selling shares to a buyer before a public listing. The buyer and seller typically agree on price, number of shares, share class, and closing conditions. The seller may then need to notify Kateeva through a share transfer notice or similar process. If Kateeva or existing investors have approval rights, transfer restrictions, or a right of first refusal, those steps may need to be completed before the transfer can close. The parties typically enter into a purchase and sale agreement, complete any required transfer documentation, and close only if the necessary conditions are satisfied. Timing and certainty can vary by company and transaction.

In most private secondary transactions, parties commonly use a purchase and sale agreement that outlines price, terms, and conditions. They may also use share transfer documentation, often a stock transfer notice, share transfer notice, transfer instruction, or similar document, along with any required company approval or right of first refusal materials. Proof of ownership, such as a cap table entry, share certificate, brokerage statement, issuer confirmation, or administrator confirmation, may also be important. Buyers often request recent company financials, but private companies may limit disclosure. Since every deal varies, buyers and sellers should consult legal and financial advisors to understand which documents are needed.

Risk, diligence, and investor caution

Buying Kateeva shares pre-IPO is risky. Shares are illiquid, no IPO or liquidity event is guaranteed, valuations can change, transfers may require company approval, and private companies may provide limited financial disclosure. Be prepared for total loss. SetterVC and Setter Capital do not provide due diligence, legal, tax, accounting, valuation, or investment advice. Buyers must conduct their own due diligence, verify information, and seek independent legal and investment advice before proceeding.

Private secondary shares are typically illiquid. Unlike public stocks, there is no active public market, so selling them can be difficult and time-consuming. Sales depend on finding a willing buyer and often require company approval. Investors should be prepared to hold the shares for an extended period, with no guarantee of a future sale. Always assess your need for liquidity before investing.

SetterVC and Setter Capital do not provide due diligence, legal, tax, accounting, valuation, or investment advice. Buyers must conduct their own due diligence, including verifying ownership, transferability, legal structure, company approval, and assessing the company's prospects. SetterVC and Setter Capital do not provide advice on whether an investment is good, what price to pay, or what the best bid or ask is. SetterVC and Setter Capital may share documents in some circumstances, but it does not guarantee their accuracy or completeness. Due diligence is essential. Seek legal and investment advice as needed.

Before buying Kateeva shares, a buyer should try to review the share class, price per share, implied valuation, transfer restrictions, ROFR process, company approval rights, seller ownership evidence, recent financing or tender-offer information, available financial information, information rights, resale restrictions, tax considerations, and expected liquidity paths. Not all information may be available for a private company. Buyers should confirm available diligence, process details, and information needs with their own legal, tax, and investment advisers.

SPVs carry risks. Examples include the need to confirm the company allows SPV-based transfers, verify that the SPV truly owns the shares or interests it claims to own, and ensure it has not sold more interests than it holds. Due diligence is essential. Seek legal and investment advice as needed.

Forward contracts carry risks. Examples include the seller refusing to transfer the shares at the future date, even if the seller owns them, the seller going bankrupt with creditors claiming the shares, or the seller committing the same shares to multiple parties. Due diligence is essential. Seek legal and investment advice as needed.

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