News

AgileSwitch Receives Funding from Ben Franklin and Robin Hood

September 03, 2013 by Jeff Shepard

AgileSwitch, LLC has completed a successful round of funding from Ben Franklin Technology Partners (BFTP) and Robin Hood Ventures. AgileSwitch’s customers are manufacturers of solar inverters, wind turbines, and high speed trains. Rob Weber, CEO of AgileSwitch, said, “This funding will aid AgileSwitch in the continued development of new technologies to benefit the field of renewable energy. We are very happy to be working with these two organizations.”

The company produces IGBT Switch Drivers that control, monitor, and protect an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT). An IGBT converts direct current into alternating current required to power buildings and equipment. IGBT’s are used in a variety of power converters. The need for IGBT Switch Drivers is increasing rapidly along with the need for efficient renewable energy processes.

Glen Gaddy, Member of Robin Hood Ventures, said, “Robin Hood Ventures is excited about the market prospects of power electronics companies like AgileSwitch and their ability to meaningfully contribute to high efficiency motor applications.”

AgileSwitch applies expertise in the electronics industry to ensure safe and reliable operation of the IGBT module. This is done by implementing circuitry that will lockout the IGBT before there is an under or over voltage. These IGBT Switch Drivers are designed to be compatible with IGBTs produced by a variety of different manufactures and can be configured to work seamlessly in many applications.

“AgileSwitch is poised to grow and create high tech employment in the South Eastern Pennsylvania region.” Mark Degrandpre, Director of Investments, BFTP. “It is great to be a part of this process.” This project is supported by the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern PA, an initiative of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development funded by the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority.