Ultra-Low Power ICs Power Up with $10M and Target IoT Applications
Ambiq Micro, Inc. has closed a $10M Series B funding round led by Austin Ventures, plus additional participation by the firm's existing investors including ARM®, Mercury Fund, Huron River Ventures and other investors. Ambiq Micro, whose products are redefining the meaning of ultra-low power ICs, will use the funding to expand the company's SPOT™ (Subthreshold Power Optimized Technology) design platform, accelerate new product development and expand worldwide market presence. The Internet of Things (IoT) is one of the major application targets of this fabless semiconductor company headquartered in Austin, Texas.
Ambiq Micro has developed a unique technology that enables semiconductor products to run at extremely low voltage levels inside the chip, dramatically lowering the power required for chip operation. The external interface for product designers remains the same as today's traditional semiconductors, so no new design techniques or methods are required. Ambiq Micro products built on its advanced SPOT platform are manufactured using a standard CMOS high-volume, low-cost semiconductor process.
"As more and more markets are demanding devices that are mobile, portable or remote, batteries and low power ICs become essential enablers for business," said Mark Foley, CEO and President of Ambiq Micro. "With this investment round, we will proliferate our SPOT platform-based products to these emerging low-power markets and applications. AV is a perfect partner for us as it shares our vision for the rapid growth of the Internet of Things."
The company's SPOT platform technology can be applied to a wide range of semiconductors used in battery-life critical applications, such as the emerging wearable computing market, smart watches, wireless sensors, smart cards and low-power medical devices. Battery-powered products that previously lasted a few days on a single charge will be able to run for months or years when designed with Ambiq Micro products.
"Austin Ventures expects Ambiq Micro products to have a major impact in many high-growth applications. Long life will be the driving factor behind consumer acceptance of new networked, battery-operated devices. Ambiq Micro is forging a path to change the market. We are very excited to join its investor group," said Clark Jernigan, Venture Partner, Austin Ventures.
