|
APRIL 29th, 2005
NanoString Technologies, Inc. has secured $3.8 million from its
Series A investors, bringing its funding to date to more than $8 million. Investors included Draper Fisher Jurvetson and OVP
Venture Partners.
H. Perry Fell, Ph.D., NanoString CEO, discussed the funding and
a molecular bar coding system, "We are very pleased to have the continued support of two such well respected leaders in the
venture capital community. This completes the $8 million in financing that we set out to raise last year and will enable us
further our efforts in the development of the molecular bar coding system that we believe has the potential to support a variety
of biological assay applications in industry sectors as diverse as gene expression, clinical diagnostics, agriculture, and
biosurveillance."
NanoString describes its technology as a nanotechnology-based platform
for high speed, highly multiplexed, single molecule identification and digital quantification. The company elaborates that
the technology may become the basis of a biological operating system. Such a system would be used for the development of biomolecular
analysis applications.
APRIL 28th, 2005
Polychromix, a MEMS-based innovative wavelength management solutions
company, has reported the addition of Lighthouse Capital Partners as a new investor. Lighthouse, who now joins Siemens
Venture Capital, Seed Capital Partners, and Vanguard Ventures, added $3 million to the company's funding base. Polychromix
is a provider of MEMS based optical network and molecular spectroscopy solutions.
Polychromix plans to use the funds for R&D activities in optical
MEMS (MOEMS). The company is looking closely at optical telecommunications and the scientific instrumentation markets.
According to Ned Hazen, General Partner at Lighthouse Capital Partners. "Polychromix has succeeded in a tough optical
telecommunications market and has distinguished themselves from their competitors with their product's unique functionality
and attractive ROI to win current carrier bids. We are also very excited about being part of the advancement of a new generation
of scientific instruments being developed for applications in the pharmaceutical, agricultural and petro-chemical industries."
Polychromix products are based on a patented diffractive MEMS technology.
That technology, according to the company can attenuate, equalize or block wavelengths in telecommunications networks.
APRIL 28th, 2005
Tak Imaging, an image processing based fabless company with sites
on the consumer photo printer market, has added $10 million in funding. The funds will support the launch of its
imaging solutions for the photo-enabled printer market. According to Doug Goodyear, CEO at TAK Imaging, "In a
short time we will enter the market with very compelling solutions to power the next generation of consumer photo printers.
We will be a catalyst for a step change improvement in the overall photo printing experience."
Investors in the round that the company lists include JVP (Jerusalem
Venture Partners), Sofinnova Partners, Doughty Hanson Technology Ventures, Ventech, SPEF Venture, Innovacom and CrossBridge
Venture Partners of Japan. The funding adds to $16.25 million Tak raised in Series C funding in January of 2004.
Tak's current products include the STAKPRO-800 SOC, which is behind
the new Konica Minolta 2430 DL color laser printer. That printer obtained the CNET Next Big Thing Award at CES in Las Vegas.
APRIL 27th, 2005
Levensohn Venture Partners III Close Brings Fund Levels
to $164 Million
Levensohn Venture Partners (LVP) has closed its third venture capital
fund, Levensohn Venture Partners III, which brings the company's capital level for its two active funds to $164 million. The
third fund is intended for early commercialization stage investments in information technology (IT) companies. According to
Pascal Levensohn. "We will be following Levensohn Venture Partners' highly selective and successful strategy of early-commercialization
stage investing as we move forward with our investments in LVP III. The fund will be invested in software, communications
and semiconductor companies that share the key characteristics we seek in new investments: defensible and differentiated technology,
evangelical customers, capital-efficient business models, experienced management teams, and markets at the inflection point
for demand acceleration."
APRIL 27th, 2005
Brillian's Completes $2.5 Million Convertible Offering
Brillian Corp. (NASDAQ: BRLC), an OLED microdisplay company and producer of rear projection
HDTVs, obtained $2.5 million through a 7% Convertible Debentures and $2.0 million of 9% Senior Secured Debentures offered
to select investors. Vincent Sollitto, Brillian's CEO indicated that funds would allow the company's traction to continue
and to further its manufacturing capabilities, "Closing this financing round is another positive step in our progress. The
proceeds from this transaction will provide financial support to the momentum we have built in recent weeks with the announcement
of two distribution deals and our manufacturing partnership with Suntron."
APRIL 27th, 2005
Legend Capital and DCM-Doll Partner for Sino-American IT Investments
Two venture capital firms, an ocean apart, have partnered in a move that appears aimed to capture
the best investments of two different worlds. Legend Capital and DCM-Doll Capital Management, entered into a strategic partnership
to enable Information Technology (IT) investments in the United States and China.
Legend Capital 's Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director
Zhu Linan talked about China and DCM, "As China's private sector continues to grow at an extraordinary pace, our mission at
Legend Capital is to provide meaningful contributions to the development of the high-tech industry and to seed high growth
companies in China. By partnering with a firm with a track record like DCM's, we are setting up an investment team that has
proven success in bringing U.S. and Chinese firms to market."
DCM's managing general partner David Chao also commented on the
opportunity and the long search for a partner based in China, "We spent two years looking for a hands-on premier China-based
partner, and we found our ideal partner in Legend Capital. With China experiencing such explosive growth, there are major
opportunities for established firms like DCM and Legend Capital to fund great entrepreneurs to build world-class companies."
Both venture capital firms invest in a variety of technology companies.
These include integrated circuits. One of DCM-Doll's notable fabless chip company investments is Sigmatel (NASDAQ:SGTL).
APRIL 26th, 2005
New $80 Million Israel-China VC Technology Fund Launched
As the interest grows in China, so apparently does joint cooperation
between China's venture capitalists and those of other countries. One of China's largest funds, the Chinese Venture Capital
Fund - Shenzhen Capital Group, has entered into an agreement with PNV NC VC Fund (New Management Company) of Israel to form,
CIVC - China Israel Venture Capital. The fund size is estimated at $ 80 Million.
The Fund is expected to be used to invest in late stage and pre-IPO
companies. The company specifically pointed out that it intends to focus on companies that have next generation communication
technology, semiconductor, IT, enterprise software, life science and new material technology.
APRIL 25th, 2005
Alphion Corporation, a company with integrated circuit photonic
technology, has closed a third round of funding valued at $10.6 million. This brings the company's funding to date to $42.6
million. Alphion lists the lead investor as Tallwood Venture Capital and the investment participants as Goldman Sachs, Axiom
Venture Partners, ICCP Venture Partners, Narra Venture Capital, and industry executives.
Several of the investment firms and the CEO commented on the Alphion.
Sam McKay, General Partner at Axiom Venture Partners, said "Alphion is emerging as a leader in photonic integrated circuits.
We are very excited about this investment. Alphion's QLight(TM) technology platform addresses a broad spectrum of customer
needs and is being deployed in a wide variety of applications." While William Valtos Jr., Senior Managing Director of ICCP
Venture Partners commented, "We are very enthusiastic about Alphion's growth potential. The recent addition of Alphion's QLight(TM)
Amp and Switch product lines to the photonic transponder line, demonstrates the versatility of the QLight(TM) technology platform."
Dr. Bharat P. Dave, CEO of Alphion emphasized the customers and end markets for the QLight Technology Platform, "We have received
extensive validation from metro, long-haul, CATV and defense customers. This strong endorsement from new and existing investors
demonstrates the confidence they have in both the Alphion team and our vision for photonic integration. This funding will
allow us to expand our QLight(TM) product family while addressing new applications in datacom, telecom and high performance
networking."
QLight products are based on an Indium Phosphide (InP) integrated
circuit manufacturing process technology and are protected by over 35 issued and pending patents that cover the design, fabrication
and applications of the products.
APRIL 25th, 2005
Xelerated Closes $17
Million For ASIC Based Network Processing Chip
Xelerated, a fabless semiconductor company that plans to sample its high end X11 Network
Processor in July, closed $17 million in a Series Round C from Accel Partners and Amadeus Capital Partners.
Johan Börje, CEO of Xelerated remarked about his company's customers
and profitability, "With the backing of such solid investors and more than 15 customer designs hitting volume production this
and next year, I am confident in our continued success. We now have a fully funded business plan taking us to profitability
in 2006,"
Joe Golden of Accel Partners commented about Xelerated's product
acceptance in the metropolitan communications market, "Xelerated's Tier-1 customer engagements in the high-volume, high-growth
metropolitan Ethernet market convinced us that Xelerated will emerge as the number one provider of merchant silicon for this
segment. Their unique architecture and its ability to meet the demand for low-cost, feature-flexible Ethernet solutions clearly
put Xelerated ahead of the competition."
APRIL 25th, 2005
X-EMI Obtains Funding Milestone - $10.4 Million
Round A for X-EMI has been increased with an additional $5 million investment. The funding,
which brings the total to $10.4 million, are for the company's electromagnetic interference technology, which according to
permits significant reductions in EMI noise. Michael Royer, EMC Department Manager for Professional Testing, an independent
authentication EMI Emissions company commented on the X-EMI product, "It is not uncommon for companies to bring products to
us for verification after each design pass. In fact, one of our services beyond testing in instances of non-compliance is
to help our clients identify emissions sources and generate solutions. Then we test again. However, X-EMI presented us with
a product that not only met emissions compliance, but exceeded it. Just one reliable order of magnitude in EMI reduction is
extremely significant, and in our experience a rare achievement on a first design pass."
Round A investors included InterWest Partners, Novus Ventures and
Waypoint Ventures, Access Venture Partners, DFJ Mercury and MarkPoint Venture Partners.
APRIL 21, 2005
T-RAM Semiconductor,
Disruptive Memory Company, Heads toward Funding Records, now at $86 Million
T-RAM Semiconductor, a 1T memory cell company with disruptive technology, completed its Series
C round of $40 million, bringing the company's total funding to date to $86 million. InterWest Partners led the round, which
also included CenterPoint Ventures, Mayfield, US Venture Partners, Tallwood Venture Capital and New Enterprise Associates.
Kenneth Young, CEO of T-RAM explained the company's production status and the significance of the technology to the memory
market, "The funding comes at a high point in the company's technology roadmap. With working silicon verifying the success
of our first high-performance memory chips, we are now ready to commercialize this technology. In fact, our first memory chips
will soon be launched -- with densities ranging from 9Mb up to 72Mb -- the highest commercially available density from any
SRAM manufacturer today. Initial applications for this first-generation technology will be focused on the high- performance,
high-density synchronous SRAM (SSRAM) market, which is dominated by high-end wired products in both communications and computing."
According to Victor Westerlind, who was just appointed to T-RAM's
board, "The market is eager for higher density on-chip RAM to both lower cost and boost performance in current and future
products. T-RAM is responding to this need with a technology that promises to do it all-increase density, reduce die size,
cut costs and lower risk. As a result, T-RAM could truly change the playing field and accelerate the advancement of next-generation
memory solutions."
Bob Paluck, General Partner of CenterPoint Ventures, also seemed
enthused about the technology. "We look forward to helping the company commercialize one of the first major SRAM memory advances
in more than a decade. T-RAM's innovative technology will serve as the foundation for a host of new memory chips. And given
its density, cost and performance advantages, it will offer the extendibility customers need for their future generation products."
APRIL 20th, 2005
Simpler Networks Corp., a company that has devised a way to automate
the expansion of once manual based copper distribution frames, widely used in the telecommunications market, closed $25 million
in Series B financing. Simpler listed its investors as BCE Capital, Highland Capital Partners, Kodiak Venture Partners, Solidarity
Fund QFL, and Lothian Partners.
Harry Carr, CEO of Simpler Networks commented on the company's micromachine
(MEMS) based system and the funding, "To deliver advanced services like VoIP, high-speed Internet and VoD over local copper
infrastructures, local service providers are seeking efficient solutions that simplify the management of their telecommunications
networks by automating labor-intensive processes. Our latest round of funding will continue to improve our ability to market
and sell a unique solution that enables local service providers to implement new services faster, more economically and more
reliably to the largest and smallest central offices."
Simpler Networks has developed a MEMS based relay, which is used
to expand the switching capabilities of central offices, automatically. The technology is reported to require 200 times less
room than conventional relays.
APRIL 19th, 2005
TeraVicta Technologies, which offers RF MEMS switches as both stand
alone technology and as part of integrated electronic solutions, has closed a $10 million financing round. Convergent Investors
and Agave Capital were the lead investors, with a combined contribution of $7.5 million. Horizon Technology Finance
contributed $2.5 million.
Willard Hanzlik, a General Partner at Convergent Investors elaborated
on the investment, "We are very pleased with the team at TeraVicta and their progress in developing a technology that leads
the industry in performance, size, and cost. As investors in TeraVicta, we are excited to see the company add volume production
capability to complement its existing R&D and marketing efforts. The company has developed best-in-class solutions and
is generating high praise from industry leaders and customers."
In relation to Teravicta's volume manufacturing agreement with China
Resources, Mr. Zhu Jin Kun, Deputy Chairman and CEO of China Resources Logic Limited commented, "We believe there is a large
and growing worldwide market for RF MEMS switches and TeraVicta is best positioned to capture this market. After having performed
extensive diligence on RF MEMS technology, we quickly concluded that TeraVicta has the best electrical and mechanical operating
performance and is best aligned with our manufacturing expertise. Accordingly, we sought to partner with Teravicta to deliver
a volume manufacturing line in China."
Kenney Roberts, CEO of TeraVicta affirmed the products acceptance
and manufacturing plans, "Our customers have been waiting for a reliable RF MEMS switch that provides both the size and performance
advantages of our TT712. The feedback we are receiving is incredibly positive. We are excited about meeting our customers'
ever- increasing demands. TeraVicta is ramping production volumes in 2005, and we believe the announcement of both the financing
and manufacturing agreement come at the optimal time in our product development cycle to propel us to a new stage of company
growth."
APRIL 19th, 2005
Morpho Technologies has announced the first close of a $10 million
Series C Funding Round. Smart Technology Ventures and BridgeWest LLC have co-led the round. Morpho is in the software
defined radio market and provides reconfigurable DSP Intellectual Property (IP) Cores. Morpho was founded in 2000.
APRIL 19th, 2005
IC Microsystems Plans to Raise Millions in Malyasian Exchange
The New Strait Times Press (Malaysia) Berhad has indicated that
IC Microsystems Corp Bhd plans to spend about 70 percent of funds raised for its listing on the Malaysian Exchange of Securities
Dealing & Automated Quotation Bhd (Mesdaq) for research and development. The offering is expected to bring in RM192
million. According to the report, revenue for the fabless chip company in 2004 was RM8.5 million . Revenue is
expected to increase because the company has transitioned to a design and services company to a chip product company.
About 60 percent of the company's sales are expected to be from chip product sales.
APRIL 19th, 2005
Silicon and Semiconductor Technology Investor Raises $168
Million
The Daily Deal reported that Banexi Ventures Partners has closed
its fourth fund, which is estimated to be in the order of $168 million. The company indicated that the funds would
still be used for semiconductors and silicon technologies, the Internet sector and wireless. Banexi Ventures, focused
on "complex business models" and markets, is based in France. BNP Paribas Bank was reported to have contributed
20% of the total $168 million
APRIL 19th, 2005
SenSage, a broad based data analysis company, whose product is used
to monitor and store security and performance of real time data collected on a mass scale, has secured $10 million in Series
C finanicing. The company lists its end markets as financial services, government, healthcare, manufacturing, and technology.
Jim Pflaging, CEO at SenSage elaborated on the company's product,
"We have customers that generate over 200 gigabytes of security data daily. Using SenSage, they generate alerts and take immediate
action while retaining the complete history online for later investigations. In addition to having the most scalable and robust
product in the industry, SenSage has an exceptional management team, proven customer results, and blue chip distribution partners.
This funding will enable us to further develop our team and our market-leading technology."
The investors involved in the round included Battery Ventures, Canaan
Partners, Mitsui & Co. Venture Partners and Sierra Ventures.
APRIL 18th, 2005
Xenomis with Inexpensive DNA Tests Gathers $2.95
Million in Private Placement
Xenomics, Inc. (OTCBB:XNOM), which is now focused on the development of non-intensive
DNA test technologies, has reported the close of a private placement that has resulted in $2.95 million in new financing for
the company.
Dr. Randy White, CEO of Xenomics summed up the company's development focus and how
the funding will be used, "This funding will help us achieve the next round of milestones in the commercialization of our
proprietary Transrenal DNA testing platform for medical and life science applications. We are developing highly effective,
safe and inexpensive tests that have the potential to improve health care for millions of patients worldwide who are living
with AIDS and other diseases, for pregnant women who need to learn about the health of their unborn children, and for a range
of other applications."
Xenomics discovered the presence of Tr-DNA, which unlike other types of DNA is passed
through the kidneys and out of the body instead of found just in the blood. The detection of Tr-DNA in the urine, give scientists
the capability to eliminate the need for blood samples (considered a biological health hazard in the medical world), and use
safer urine samples instead. This in turn eliminates the need to use needles, which are also biological health and environmental
hazards. Dr. Samuil Umansky, a scientist at the company, headed the team that discovered Tr-DNA.
APRIL 14th, 2005
Vector Capital Closes $350 Million Equity Fund
Vector Capital, an investment firm that focuses on complex technology,
has closed its Vector Capital III fund, a $350 million private equity fund. Alex Slusky, Vector Capital's founder talked about
technology investing in today's environment, “The maturing of the technology industry requires a different approach
to investing, By combining the financial sophistication of a buyout firm with the deep operational involvement of venture
capital, Vector plays a unique role in helping unlock value for customer-rich, mid-market technology companies."
Phil Rotner, Managing Director of Private Equity at MIT commented
on the fund, "We continue to be impressed with Vector's disciplined, value-based approach. With Vector II, they proved their
ability to perform in even the most difficult investment climate. I expect Vector Capital III will be another terrific success
for the firm, its portfolio companies and its investors."
APRIL 14th, 2005
NanoOpto Corporation, a nanofabrication based optical integrated
circuit and component company, has added $1 million more to its Series C round funding of $12 million with an investment by
Itochu Corporation. The investment was spurred by the promise of a technology that is expected to lower costs. According to
Hiroo Inoue, COO of Itochu's IT and Business Solutions Division., "Itochu is excited by NanoOpto's innovative technology and
its potential for redefining optical circuit applications - leading to lowered costs and improved capability, Itochu looks
forward to working with NanoOpto to realize the large and growing market potential for nano-optic devices."
Barry Weinbaum, CEO of NanoOpto indicated the direction of the company,
"Given our successful introduction of several new products over the last year, NanoOpto is now strongly focused on market
growth. This increases the importance of strong market intelligence and contacts, and so we are pleased to have Itochu join
our group of investors."
End markets for NanoOpto's products include communications, digital
imaging, optical drives and projection display.
APRIL 13th, 2005
Picolight Inc., which manufactures optical integrated circuits and
components, has passed the $90 million funding mark with $13 million from lead investor, Capital Coral Capital Management
and two other venutre capital firms, BA Venture Partners and Vesbridge Partners. The company has planned to seek further financing
in the order of $4 million to $7 million in the second quarter of 2005.
Steve Hane, Picolight's President and CEO, "This funding round validates
the tremendous progress we made through the second half of 2004 and into the first quarter of 2005, and will help us commence
volume shipments of 1310nm VCSEL-based products while building on our early lead in this rapidly emerging market for better-performing,
more economical enterprise, storage area and metro network interconnect technology, The combination of this capital commitment,
steadily improving market conditions, and with our growing customer traction across multiple product lines positions us to
execute the focused growth plan we put into place during the second half of 2004. Our goal is to achieve profitability by
the end of 2005."
Todd Ortberg, a newly appointed member of Picolight's board of directors
also commented, "Picolight has maintained significant advantages in terms of new and existing 850nm VCSEL-based products,
ownership of the key sub-components, a strong patent portfolio on VCSEL technology, and 1310nm VCSEL technology leadership
in both enterprise, storage area and metro area networks."
Picolight with the announcement also reported that its revenue increased
more than 125 percent in first quarter of 2005 from levels seen in the first quarter of 2004. The growth was attributed
to demand from the 10 G Ethernet and parallel optics market.
APRIL 12th, 2005
EPOS Technologies Ltd., a company that plans to bring location technology
to the mass consumer market, has obtained $5 million in funding from JVP (Jerusalem Venture Partners). EPOS has developed
a chip and software solution that permits accurate 2D / 3D positioning capability for a variety of consumer products at low
cost. EPOS' products are expected to be included in several high volume markets, which include mobile phones, personal computers,
video and television games and others. One application of the company's technology is a digital pen, which doubles as a wireless
mouse. That device gives users the ability to take handwritten notes scribed on paper and display them on a cellular phone
or PC, and transform a cell phone screen to a full featured touch-tone screen. Another interesting application the company
reports on is a toy light gun compatible with games played on non-CRT televisions.
Glen Schwaber, General Partner, JVP and EPOS Board Member indicated
his confidence in EPOS, "We believe that EPOS has solved elegantly some of the crucial problems in human-machine interaction
and therefore has a superb business potential. EPOS has shown an extraordinary ability to reach commercial products with extensive
market traction and limited funds."
Oded Eliashiv, CEO and co-founder of EPOS mapped out the plans for
the funding, "The funds raised are expected to allow EPOS to substantially strengthen the human capital and give EPOS the
ability to fulfill the projects that are currently in final negotiations. The market is looking for a positioning solution
and we hope to deliver that by the end of this year at a very affordable price." EPOS presently has 11 employees in Israel
and has been in negotiations with several PC, handset and console games OEMs from around the world.
EPOS was founded in 2002 by Oded Eliashiv, Nathan Altman and Ran
Raif. The company offers several chips on its web site. These include a basestation chip and a wireless terminal chip. The
basestation chip, along with sensors, is used to locate the exact position of the wireless terminal chip.
Before this round, EPOS raised over $1 million from private investors
and Tel-Ad Electronics.
APRIL 12th, 2005
TeraChip Incorporated, a fabless semiconductor company that specializes
in merchant switch fabrics for switch and router systems, has raised $7.2 million. The funding was led by Accel Partners and
Benchmark Capital. The company plans to use the funds to increase its staff by 10 to 20 percent over the next year. As well,
the company plans to expedite the finalization of its new product development efforts.
Joe Golden, General Partner, Accel Europe, and TeraChip Director
commented on the future of the company as well as the appointment of the new CEO, Rod Kay, "TeraChip's advanced shared-memory
switching technology, the 1st silicon success of the initial products and the increasing momentum towards 10 Gbps Ethernet
all bode well for the future success of the company. We are delighted to have Rod Kay on board to lead the TeraChip team.
His experience with Tier 1 OEM's in the global telecommunication market will add focus to the team's sales efforts and a new
perspective to TeraChip's market vision."
APRIL 11th, 2005
WiSpry has entered into a investment and development agreement
with In-Q-Tel to bring WiSpry’s RF micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMs) products to market quicker. According
to Jeff Hilbert, president, CEO and co-founder of WiSpry, "We are pleased to announce this new investment by In-Q-Tel which
further validates the disruptive nature of our technology in a variety of RF-related fields. Our MEMS-based products reduce
space, power consumption and cost while simultaneously attaining outstanding RF performance, adaptability and agility.
This new investment will enable us to get these innovative products to market quicker, benefiting high volume, high performance
applications that focus on wireless and broadband communications, including consumer-based wireless products such as cellular
phones, wireless base stations, local and wide area wireless networking equipment and cable modems, as well as a growing number
of industrial and commercial applications."
Gilman Louie, President and CEO of In-Q-Tel also commented on his
company’s investment, "WiSpry's technology offers unique tunable RF technology. In-Q-Tel is excited about its partnership
with WiSpry and their promise of significant developments in the production and sales of its ground-breaking RF micro-electro-mechanical
systems (RF-MEMS) tunable filter and RF switch products, that will be beneficial to the government and commercial markets."
Other current investors that WiSpry lists include Blueprint Ventures,
American River Ventures, Sid R. Bass Associates, Shepherd Ventures, and the Tech Coast Angels.
APRIL 8th, 2005
Elixent announced the first close of a funding round that is
expected to total $15 million at the final close. The initial investment included financial commitments from Panasonic Digital
Concepts Center, a venture capital arm of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Toshiba Corporation as well as 3i, GIMV
and NIF Ventures.
Mr. Yoshio Ooida, Executive Vice President, Toshiba Corporation
Semiconductor Company. commented on the investment and Toshiba's relationship with Elixent, "We've worked with Elixent
for two years now and this investment shows our ongoing commitment to the company and the system-on-chip technology we've
developed together." Mr. Dilip Sampath, Partner, Panasonic Digital Concepts Center added, "Reconfigurable technology will
play a key role in the next generation of consumer electronics. Our investment in Elixent demonstrates our high expectations
of its technology and the market."
Elixent is known for D-Fabrix, a patented reconfigurable algorithm
processing (RAP) technology, which offers lower power than other programmable technologies and is considered a competitive
cost-performance alternative to custom based designs such as standard cells.
Elixent has also just licensed its D-Fabrix, RAP technology,
D-Fabrix, to Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.. Matsushita plans to develop system-on-chips (SoCs) for advanced multimedia
and communications consumer products with the technology. Prototype chips have already been produced at Matsushita's Semiconductor
Company wafer fabrication facilities.
Katsuhiko Ueda, General Manager, Corporate System LSI Development
Division of Matsushita's Semiconductor Company offered reasons for the Elixent decision, "A platform SoC strategy is essential
to be competitive in consumer electronics. We are impressed by Elixent's technology and believe it will become the de-facto
standard for reconfigurable technology inside consumer electronics. It will certainly help to position us well for future
market requirements."
APRIL 7th, 2005
Akustica, Incorporated has secured $15 million in Series B funding
for its acoustic system-on-chip technology, which permits the integration of high quality miniature silicon microphones based
on CMOS MEMS (micromachine) technology. Rangos Investments and Mobius Technology Ventures both participated in the round.
Mobius Technology indicated that the investment was influenced by
the enormous potential of the market. Ryan McIntyre of Mobius stated, "Akustica's silicon microphones have the potential
to be the highest-volume MEMS product in history by providing users, designers, and manufacturers of consumer electronic devices
with next-generation features, superior performance, increased reliability, and lower overall system costs. Mobius will continue
to put its considerable knowledge in the MEMS space to work for the company as I join the Akustica board of directors."
The financing is expected to assist Akustica in the development
of more advanced solutions. James Rock, President, and CEO of Akustica commented, "This financing is an important endorsement
of the increasing value of our technology and products. Akustica is now poised to accelerate product development and broaden
our extensive portfolio of CMOS-based MEMS solutions."
APRIL 7th, 2005
Hybrid Fuel Systems, Inc. (OTCBB:HYFS) has received $1.2 million
for its operations, which center around its retrofit systems used to convert diesel engines to non-petroleum based fuels.
The funding was secured for the company by KMR Capital. Kevin Sellers, President of KMR Capital elaborated on the plans
for the funding, "Hybrid is a promising young company. The timing of this financing allows Hybrid to complete a number of
essential business components such as their emissions lab and building out their inventory. We are pleased to be a part of
this dynamic enterprise and we look forward to our continued involvement."
APRIL 7th, 2005
Icera Closes $10
Million Series B Round
Icera Semiconductor, Ltd., based in the United Kingdom, has completed a $10 million extension
to its July 2004 series B funding round. Accel Partners, Atlas Venture and Benchmark Capital participated in the extension.
Icera, which was founded in 2002, has raised $42.5 million so far
in its efforts to offer baseband chips and software for the mobile handset and wireless terminal markets. Icera,
which indicates that it is the fastest growing semiconductor company in Europe, plans to sample its 3GSM procucts later this
year as the first stage in product launch scheduled for the first half of 2006. Graham O'Keeffe, Senior Partner at Atlas
Venture, confirmed the plans, "This latest investment ensures
Icera is fully-funded for the duration of its technology development and production ramp and, crucially, that it does not
lose any time in achieving its ambitious business goals. We are increasingly excited by the prospect of Icera's disruptive
and innovative wireless products changing the rules of the mobile industry's competitive landscape."
APRIL 5th, 2005
Raser Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB:RSTG) has announced that it has entered
into a definitive agreement for a private placement of $20 million in convertible preferred stock. Raser Technologies, founded
just two years ago in 2003, holds patent and intellectual property technology that relate to the more efficient generation
of electrical energy from alternators, electric motors and generators.
APRIL 5th, 2005
Tideline Capital, a company that finances the purchase of software,
has secured $105 million in funding for a software securitization facility. The funds are expected to help enable companies
that must purchase software, such as expensive chip design software, to come up with the needed up-front capital often required.
Tideline also announced that it has also raised $10 million in equity commitments as part of a Series A round. The funding
for the securitization facility was made available through Wachovia Securities, which provided $100 million , and Comerica
Bank, which contributed $5 million. The Series round participants included Voyager Capital, Odin Capital Group and Windingo
Partners.
Mark McCall, a Director in Wachovia Securities Financial Institutions
Corporate and Investment Banking Group commented on the new facility, "It has been difficult to securitize software receivables
because software cannot be collateralized and is bound by intellectual property laws. Tideline Capital is filling a critical
financing gap in the $200 billion software market. The firm's proven software finance expertise, comprehensive suite of services,
and this unprecedented securitization facility combine to create a valuable and reliable new financing channel for the software
industry."
APRIL 5th, 2005
D2Audio's Digital Amplifier Technology Secures
$12.5 Million
D2Audio, a company that offers digital audio amplifier modules, based
on its custom digital audio processor integrated circuit design technology, has secured $12.5 million in Series C funding.
Participants in the round included CenterPoint Ventures Sevin Rosen Funds, Austin Ventures and Lightspeed Venture Partners.
Brian Wong, D2Audio CEO and President suggested that the funding would be used to further the company's market growth, "Our
intelligent digital amplifiers have established performance and technology leadership, and we are shipping products into key
market segments today. This round of financing will allow us to expand our product offerings into the high growth markets
defined by convergence of digital media and entertainment." According to D2Audio, its products are currently used in Home
Theater & Audio Video Receivers (AVRs); Home Automation & Distributed Audio and Powered Loud Speakers & Subwoofers.
The funding brings D2Audio's total capitalization to $40 million.
APRIL 5th, 2005
Siano Mobile Silicon, a fabless semiconductor company based in Israel,
has closed a $11.5 million Series A funding round. The 30 person company , founded in 2004, is developing all CMOS chip designs
for mobile digital television receiver applications. The funding was led by well known Israel hi-tech investing company, Jerusalem
Venture Partners.
Dr. Ulrich Schumacher, a member of Siano's board of directors and
a former CEO of Infineon Technologies, one of Europe's largest semiconductor companies, commented, "The new emerging market
of TV on mobile requires breakthrough solutions that will overcome issues of mobility, power consumption, and physical size,
while minimizing the overhead on the already-sensitive bill of material of handheld devices. Siano has exactly the right technology
and the right team to achieve that in a highly competitive way."
APRIL 5th, 2005
eASIC, a company that develps cost-optimized, NRE free ASIC designs,
has received $7.5 million in fundng. The funding is expected to be used for operations and product development of the company's
configurable logic and structured ASIC products. Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers (KPCB) and Vinod Khosla were investors.
Vinod Khosla, Partner at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers indicated that the eASIC's technology may displace the more
expensive standard cells used for high volume custom designs, "Kleiner Perkins is inclined to invest in companies who can
instigate a disruptive innovation change and lead a major main-stream market segment. eASIC's technology ushers in a new era
of what we call Standard Metal. This displaces standard cell which is no longer a viable solution for mainstream use in the
custom logic market. This funding will help the company achieve its next milestones and prepare for its next phase of rapid
growth."
APRIL 5th, 2005
DALSA Receive $1 Million for Digital Cinema
Technology Partnerships Canada has allocated $1.0 million more to
DALSA Corporation (TSX:DSA) for the furher research and development in Digital Cinema technology. DALSA has operations in
Digital Imaging technology through its Digital Imaging technology, as well as operation in semiconductors for those applications.
APRIL 5th, 2005
Hi-Tech Industrial Facility In Romania Scheduled for 100
Million Euro Investment
Unconfirmed reports from SeeNews indicate that Ruwel, a German circuit
board manufacturer plans to invest 70 million Euro for an integrated circuit plant and R&D center in Tetarom hi-tech industrial
park located in Romania. Twelve companies in all plan to invest about 100 million euro in the park for production and logistics.
|
