InveStar Capital

InveStar Capital, Inc., founded in 1996, is a venture capital firm with offices in the United States and Taiwan, focusing on investments in semiconductors, communications and networking, and internet infrastructure sectors. The firm manages several funds totaling over $500 million and has built a diverse portfolio of more than 100 companies, with 73% located in the United States and 27% in Taiwan. InveStar aims to expand its investment targets to include companies in mainland China and the broader Pacific Rim. The firm is dedicated to bridging technologies between the West and East by connecting its portfolio companies with investors and strategic partners across Asia. InveStar emphasizes integrity, dedication to service, and fairness, while its investment philosophy centers on identifying visionary entrepreneurs with innovative technologies and strong commitment. Beyond providing venture capital, InveStar actively engages in offering strategic advice and sharing management expertise and business connections with its portfolio companies.

Richard Tai

General Partner

31 past transactions

Alchip

Venture Round in 2010
Alchip Technologies, Inc. offers silicone design and manufacturing services for complex and high-volume system-on-chip (SoC) designs. With the increase of the complexity of IC design technology and the demand of pushing products into the market, Alchip is dedicated to provide resolution schemes with the highest cost-benefit ratio for clients, making sure that clients can tape out successfully once and push their products into the market quickly, and it is committed to transcending clients' expectation of product quality, reliable service, and timely production in large numbers, becoming the best silicon design service partner of clients.

MEMSIC

Series D in 2007
MEMSIC, Inc. specializes in semiconductor sensor and system solutions that leverage integrated microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology and mixed signal circuit design. The company offers a range of sensor products, including accelerometers and magnetic sensors, which are employed in motion and direction sensing applications across multiple industries. These sensors are utilized in mobile phones, automotive safety systems, and video projectors, measuring parameters such as tilt, shock, vibration, and acceleration. MEMSIC also develops MEMS-based magnetic sensors that enhance digital compass functionality for mobile applications and offers flow sensors for industrial uses. Additionally, the company provides wireless sensor systems that connect physical environments with enterprise management systems, facilitating monitoring and automation. Its inertial systems cater to various applications, including avionics and agricultural vehicles. MEMSIC, headquartered in Andover, Massachusetts, markets its products through direct sales and partnerships with systems integrators and distributors. The company has evolved since its incorporation in 1999 and is currently a subsidiary of Total Force Limited.

Alchip

Series C in 2004
Alchip Technologies, Inc. offers silicone design and manufacturing services for complex and high-volume system-on-chip (SoC) designs. With the increase of the complexity of IC design technology and the demand of pushing products into the market, Alchip is dedicated to provide resolution schemes with the highest cost-benefit ratio for clients, making sure that clients can tape out successfully once and push their products into the market quickly, and it is committed to transcending clients' expectation of product quality, reliable service, and timely production in large numbers, becoming the best silicon design service partner of clients.

Fangtek

Series B in 2004
Shanghai Fangtek Electronics Co., Ltd. is an integrated circuit design company based in Shanghai, China, with an additional office in Shenzhen. Founded in 2003, Fangtek specializes in the design, development, and marketing of analog and mixed-signal power management integrated circuits. Its product offerings include audio power amplifiers, LED drivers, SIM card controllers, analog switches, reset integrated circuits, charger protection products, and voltage regulators. These products cater to various applications in the communication, computing, and consumer electronics sectors, including mobile phones, GPS devices, and audio equipment. Fangtek is committed to delivering innovative, high-performance, and cost-effective solutions, leveraging its expertise in power device technology and mixed-signal design to serve the needs of industries focused on audio, lighting, and voltage regulation.

Advanced Analogic Technologies

Venture Round in 2004
Advanced Analogic Technologies Incorporated (AATI), or AnalogicTech, develops advanced semiconductor system solutions that play a key role in the continuing evolution of feature-rich, energy efficient electronic devices. The company focuses on addressing the application-specific power management needs of consumer devices such as mobile handsets, digital cameras, tablets, notebooks, TV and LCD displays, as well as devices in a broad range of industrial, medical and telecom applications. AATI also licenses device, process, package, and application-related technologies. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, AATI has design centers in Santa Clara and Shanghai, and Asia-based operations and logistics.

Kilopass

Series A in 2004
Kilopass Technology develops an advanced embedded non-volatile memory (NVM) technology, manufactured in standard logic CMOS processes

Fangtek

Series A in 2003
Shanghai Fangtek Electronics Co., Ltd. is an integrated circuit design company based in Shanghai, China, with an additional office in Shenzhen. Founded in 2003, Fangtek specializes in the design, development, and marketing of analog and mixed-signal power management integrated circuits. Its product offerings include audio power amplifiers, LED drivers, SIM card controllers, analog switches, reset integrated circuits, charger protection products, and voltage regulators. These products cater to various applications in the communication, computing, and consumer electronics sectors, including mobile phones, GPS devices, and audio equipment. Fangtek is committed to delivering innovative, high-performance, and cost-effective solutions, leveraging its expertise in power device technology and mixed-signal design to serve the needs of industries focused on audio, lighting, and voltage regulation.

Monolithic Power Systems

Series D in 2002
Monolithic Power Systems, Inc. is a semiconductor company that designs, develops, and markets integrated power management solutions for various applications, including consumer electronics, computing, automotive, industrial, and communications. Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Kirkland, Washington, the company specializes in direct current (DC) to DC integrated circuits (ICs) that manage and convert voltages in electronic devices such as portable electronics, computers, and medical equipment. Additionally, MPS offers lighting control ICs for backlighting in LCD panels used in devices like monitors and televisions. The company utilizes a fabless manufacturing model, collaborating with third-party foundries to leverage its proprietary BCD process technology. MPS distributes its products through a network of distributors, resellers, and direct sales to original equipment manufacturers and design manufacturers across the globe, including regions like China, Taiwan, Europe, and the United States. The company's focus on energy efficiency and innovative design has established it as a significant player in the power management semiconductor market.

IP Unity

Series D in 2002
IP Unity delivers a carrier grade services platform for enhanced voice and telephony applications over ATM, TDM and VoIP Networks. The company's media servers, applications servers, enhanced service applications, and application partners allow customers to quickly and cost effectively offer new services associated with next generation networks while protecting their investment in legacy systems.

Sonics

Series C in 2002
Sonics is a leading provider of network-on-chip (NoC) technology, specializing in intelligent on-chip communications solutions for various applications, including home entertainment, wireless networking, and mobile devices. Established in 1996 and headquartered in Milpitas, California, the company offers a comprehensive portfolio of silicon-proven intellectual property (IP) that addresses the memory bottlenecks and data flow challenges associated with complex, high-speed system-on-chip (SoC) designs. By enabling heterogeneous, multi-core SoC architectures, Sonics integrates essential subsystems, such as security, power, and memory, to deliver high performance and low power consumption. Its innovative technology has facilitated the shipment of over 750 million units globally, positioning Sonics as a key player in the embedded market.

Zona, Inc.

Venture Round in 2001
Zona, Inc., delivers a complete network solution to support Massive Multi-Player Online Games (MMOG) throughout the entire product development cycle of a game -- from conception, all the way through the full life of a game. Founded in August 2000, the company is applying their unique solution called Terazona(R) to support tens of thousands of simultaneous MMOG players in a seamless, fault-tolerant universe of gameplay. Unlike many legacy systems of today, Terazona(R) will allow developers to focus more resources on game design to enhance player experience, spend less time and money on server and infrastructure issues, and significantly shorten a game's time to market. Zona, Inc., is a privately held company based in Redwood City. In addition to the U.S., the company is actively introducing their complete solution for MMOG to Taiwan, China, Korea and Japan through Zona's foreign offices. Zona, Inc., also has secured Tools & Middleware licenses from Microsoft's Xbox and Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.'s PlayStation(R) 2.

MEMSIC

Series B in 2001
MEMSIC, Inc. specializes in semiconductor sensor and system solutions that leverage integrated microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology and mixed signal circuit design. The company offers a range of sensor products, including accelerometers and magnetic sensors, which are employed in motion and direction sensing applications across multiple industries. These sensors are utilized in mobile phones, automotive safety systems, and video projectors, measuring parameters such as tilt, shock, vibration, and acceleration. MEMSIC also develops MEMS-based magnetic sensors that enhance digital compass functionality for mobile applications and offers flow sensors for industrial uses. Additionally, the company provides wireless sensor systems that connect physical environments with enterprise management systems, facilitating monitoring and automation. Its inertial systems cater to various applications, including avionics and agricultural vehicles. MEMSIC, headquartered in Andover, Massachusetts, markets its products through direct sales and partnerships with systems integrators and distributors. The company has evolved since its incorporation in 1999 and is currently a subsidiary of Total Force Limited.

Y Media

Series B in 2001
Y Media Corporation uses semiconductor-imaging expertise to enable the impact of pictures to be embedded into any application. Y Media's multi-media device portfolio includes high-density image sensors ideal for high-resolution digital still cameras and video applications like HDTV, as well as a line of highly integrated image sensors specifically designed to make possible image communications in mobile consumer electronics. Delivering portable vision that flow easily from one medium to another, Y Media gives OEMs the opportunity to lower system-level costs, expand market share, and add key product differentiators.

RapidStream

Series C in 2001
RapidStream specializes in providing advanced cybersecurity solutions through its patent-pending RapidCore technology, which integrates virtual private network (VPN) and firewall functionalities. The company offers ASIC-based appliances designed for high performance and security, catering to service providers, data centers, and enterprises that demand robust interoperability and scalability. Additionally, RapidStream's product lineup includes the Firebox Vclass series of firewall and VPN appliances, further enhancing its portfolio in the cybersecurity market.

Lara Networks

Series B in 2000
Lara Technology is a fabless semiconductor manufacturer that designs, develops and markets memory-intensive ASICs for the networking and communications industries.

MEMSIC

Series A in 2000
MEMSIC, Inc. specializes in semiconductor sensor and system solutions that leverage integrated microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology and mixed signal circuit design. The company offers a range of sensor products, including accelerometers and magnetic sensors, which are employed in motion and direction sensing applications across multiple industries. These sensors are utilized in mobile phones, automotive safety systems, and video projectors, measuring parameters such as tilt, shock, vibration, and acceleration. MEMSIC also develops MEMS-based magnetic sensors that enhance digital compass functionality for mobile applications and offers flow sensors for industrial uses. Additionally, the company provides wireless sensor systems that connect physical environments with enterprise management systems, facilitating monitoring and automation. Its inertial systems cater to various applications, including avionics and agricultural vehicles. MEMSIC, headquartered in Andover, Massachusetts, markets its products through direct sales and partnerships with systems integrators and distributors. The company has evolved since its incorporation in 1999 and is currently a subsidiary of Total Force Limited.

Portal Wave

Series B in 2000
Portal Wave, founded in 1999, specializes in developing enterprise application portal software designed for e-business. The company’s technology platform enables businesses to integrate various enterprise applications over the internet, facilitating seamless management of business-to-business transactions. This includes handling critical operations such as sales, customer orders, shipping, billing, supply chain management, and inventory. Recognizing the need for a flexible, scalable, and extensible solution, Portal Wave aims to support companies in adapting to the evolving landscape of the Internet while ensuring cohesive integration of their business processes.

Lightspeed Semiconductor

Venture Round in 2000
LightSpeed Semiconductor provides time-to-market, yield, manufacturability, and development expense advantages over cell implementation.

Lightspeed

Private Equity Round in 2000
Lightspeed Trading offers clients access to our proprietary order execution system, Lightspeed Trader, real time risk and margin management tools, equity and option market data scanners, and a high frequency equity DMA infrastructure. Lightspeed Trading delivers cost effective equity and option order execution combined with fast and reliable market quotes through its robust quote infrastructure and proprietary order management system. In addition to Lightspeed’s proprietary products, access to ten certified third party trading platforms presents clients with the ability to build a flexible combination of trading products tailored to fit their needs. Lightspeed Institutional supports professional traders, funds, institutions, and separately managed accounts by providing a complete suite of technology, Regulation T and portfolio margin leverage, access to our agency-only trade desk, as well as execution and clearing services. Offices are located in both New York and Chicago, and remote access to all products is available. Clients have long recognized the value of Lightspeed Trading's customized approach. The client experience perfectly balances robust and flexible technology solutions with focused, experienced, and high touch service.

Empowered Networks

Series C in 2000
Empowered Networks is a provider of information technology consulting and network monitoring solutions tailored for large enterprises. The company specializes in optimizing network management, security, and compliance, enabling organizations to enhance the agility, visibility, and reliability of their applications and services. Additionally, Empowered Networks is recognized for its innovative Voice-over-IP (VoIP) switching systems, which are designed for carriers and communication service providers. Its flagship product, the USX1000, seamlessly integrates with existing Intelligent Network services, facilitating the migration of voice traffic to IP infrastructure. By leveraging advanced technologies, Empowered Networks aims to drive positive business outcomes that significantly impact the bottom line for its clients.

Kinzan

Venture Round in 1999
Kinzan is a provider of a comprehensive e-business platform designed to help organizations extend their brand and create online relationship networks. The platform enables businesses to efficiently deploy a network of e-commerce-enabled websites that maintain a consistent yet localized appearance. Catering to franchises, associations, corporations, and portals, Kinzan allows users to build and manage independent websites created by their members, affiliates, and customers. The offerings include a suite of web development applications, hosting services, customization options, and customer support, all aimed at facilitating the growth of online commerce and enhancing customer engagement.

Empowered Networks

Series B in 1999
Empowered Networks is a provider of information technology consulting and network monitoring solutions tailored for large enterprises. The company specializes in optimizing network management, security, and compliance, enabling organizations to enhance the agility, visibility, and reliability of their applications and services. Additionally, Empowered Networks is recognized for its innovative Voice-over-IP (VoIP) switching systems, which are designed for carriers and communication service providers. Its flagship product, the USX1000, seamlessly integrates with existing Intelligent Network services, facilitating the migration of voice traffic to IP infrastructure. By leveraging advanced technologies, Empowered Networks aims to drive positive business outcomes that significantly impact the bottom line for its clients.

Lara Networks

Series B in 1999
Lara Technology is a fabless semiconductor manufacturer that designs, develops and markets memory-intensive ASICs for the networking and communications industries.

Ubicom

Series B in 1999
Ubicom is a privately held company based in Sunnyvale, California, specializing in communications and media processor (CMP) and software platforms designed for real-time interactive applications and multimedia content delivery in the digital home. The company focuses on providing optimized system-level solutions for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) across various products, including wireless routers, access points, VoIP gateways, streaming media devices, and print servers. Ubicom's innovative multithreaded processor design, coupled with its real-time operating system and application-level solutions, ensures a high-quality user experience characterized by exceptional ease of use.

Empowered Networks

Series A in 1999
Empowered Networks is a provider of information technology consulting and network monitoring solutions tailored for large enterprises. The company specializes in optimizing network management, security, and compliance, enabling organizations to enhance the agility, visibility, and reliability of their applications and services. Additionally, Empowered Networks is recognized for its innovative Voice-over-IP (VoIP) switching systems, which are designed for carriers and communication service providers. Its flagship product, the USX1000, seamlessly integrates with existing Intelligent Network services, facilitating the migration of voice traffic to IP infrastructure. By leveraging advanced technologies, Empowered Networks aims to drive positive business outcomes that significantly impact the bottom line for its clients.

Lara Networks

Series A in 1999
Lara Technology is a fabless semiconductor manufacturer that designs, develops and markets memory-intensive ASICs for the networking and communications industries.

RapidStream

Series B in 1999
RapidStream specializes in providing advanced cybersecurity solutions through its patent-pending RapidCore technology, which integrates virtual private network (VPN) and firewall functionalities. The company offers ASIC-based appliances designed for high performance and security, catering to service providers, data centers, and enterprises that demand robust interoperability and scalability. Additionally, RapidStream's product lineup includes the Firebox Vclass series of firewall and VPN appliances, further enhancing its portfolio in the cybersecurity market.

Sirf Technology

Venture Round in 1998
SiRF Technology develops semiconductor and software products that enable location-awareness.

Tropian

Series A in 1998
Tropian, Inc. specializes in the development and provision of multimode radio frequency integrated circuits and solutions tailored for wireless devices. The company offers a range of products, including the Timestar radio frequency integrated circuit solutions designed for quad-band cellular handsets, as well as Codestar and Multistar radio transceivers. Tropian primarily serves manufacturers of wireless devices, delivering innovative technology to enhance communication capabilities. Formerly known as Premier R.F., Inc., the company has established itself as a key player in the wireless communications industry.

Coppercom

Series A in 1998
CopperCom specializes in telecommunications solutions, focusing on developing advanced switching systems for various service providers, including independent operating companies, competitive local exchange carriers, and Internet service providers. The company offers innovative software-based switches, known as softswitches, which facilitate services such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). By decoupling call processing from switching, CopperCom's call control server enables the delivery of voice and data services over any network transport protocol, paving the way for a unified network infrastructure. This next-generation end office solution aims to enhance the capabilities and features available in telecommunication networks.

Sirf Technology

Venture Round in 1997
SiRF Technology develops semiconductor and software products that enable location-awareness.
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