Monstr Sense Technologies
Grant in 2023
Monstr Sense Technologies develops spectrometers for microscopy and microscopy tools for defect inspection in semiconductors. The company is based in Ann Arbor, Michigan and is dedicated to the advancement and development of coherent spectroscopy and imaging technologies.
ANAFLASH is a semiconductor startup that develops a flash-based neuromorphic processor and test chip to demonstrate analog neurocomputing inside embedded flash memory. The company provides an energy-efficient AI solution for edge devices that operate without cloud connectivity, leveraging standard CMOS processes. Its technology enables real-time artificial intelligence inference on battery-powered devices by computing where data resides, reducing data movement and traffic. The solution integrates a non-volatile neural network computing engine to perform tasks securely without relying on cloud resources, offering a cost-effective path to edge AI. Founded in 2017 and based in San Jose, California, ANAFLASH has received funding from federal agencies including the National Science Foundation, the Department of Defense, and NASA to advance brain-inspired compute for smart edge devices.
NanoDian is a nanotechnology company focused on developing and commercializing advanced lithium-ion battery materials, specifically cathode materials. The company employs patented laboratory-developed technology to create next-generation batteries that address critical challenges in the industry, such as improving life cycles, enhancing charge rates, increasing safety, and reducing costs. NanoDian's innovations aim to benefit a range of applications in both portable and stationary energy storage systems, including electric vehicles and microgrids. Through its commitment to cutting-edge research and development, NanoDian seeks to contribute significantly to the evolution of energy storage solutions.
Dynamac Microwave
Grant in 2022
Dynamac Microwave is a manufacturer of electronic components located in Addison, Illinois. The company specializes in providing a range of products and solutions including electronic countermeasures, reaction capability equipment, filters and networks, switches, semiconductor devices, and amplifiers. Their offerings cater to various applications in the electronics industry, emphasizing advanced technology and performance in electronic systems.
Obsidian Sensors
Grant in 2022
Founded in La Jolla, California in 2017, Obsidian Sensors specializes in developing high-resolution thermal imaging sensors and cameras. Utilizing a proprietary glass microelectromechanical system (MEMS) manufacturing process, the company produces uncooled microbolometers at lower costs and on a larger scale than conventional silicon-based devices. Their products cater to automotive (ADAS and autonomy), security/surveillance, drones, and industrial applications.
Caporus Technologies
Grant in 2022
Caporus Technologies specializes in the development of innovative thin-film dielectrics designed for high-energy-density capacitors. The company focuses on providing reliable capacitive energy storage and filtering solutions that can operate at elevated voltages and temperatures, which are essential for next-generation high-density power conversion systems. By offering advanced dielectric materials, Caporus enables its clients to meet the growing demands of power conversion systems, which are critical for facilitating the electrification of transportation and the integration of distributed energy resources into the electrical grid.
SkyGig is a Michigan-based company specializing in millimeter-wave wireless communications. It develops innovative beamforming technology to provide scalable, cost-effective broadband connectivity.
Tagore Technology
Grant in 2022
Tagore Technology is a semiconductor company established in January 2011 by a team of seasoned professionals in the radio frequency and wireless technology sectors. The company specializes in the design and manufacture of radio frequency products aimed at enhancing integrated IC power for wireless infrastructure and high-power radios. Its innovative platform focuses on power management systems, including thermal sensors, voltage references, and comparators. By offering these products at competitive prices, Tagore Technology enables customers to decrease the size and power consumption of their wireless systems, thereby improving efficiency and performance in the industry.
NextGen Battery Technologies
Grant in 2022
NextGen Battery Technologies develops advanced battery solutions. It specializes in proprietary solid-state electrolyte and cobalt-free cathode technology, aiming to facilitate large-scale electric vehicle adoption.
Future Semiconductor
Grant in 2022
Future Semiconductor specializes in developing gallium nitride (GaN) substrates for light-emitting diodes. Their proprietary technology enables infinite reuse of the parent wafer and fast layer release, offering clients a cost-effective solution for growing high-quality single-crystalline semiconductors on graphene.
Apogee Semiconductor
Grant in 2021
Apogee Semiconductor specializes in developing radiation-hardened semiconductor components and integrated circuits. Its focus is on bridging the technology gap between commercial and space-grade electronics, making space exploration more accessible.
Anello Photonics
Grant in 2021
Anello Photonics, based in Silicon Valley, specializes in developing advanced sensors that deliver optical gyroscope performance at an affordable price. Founded by experts in silicon photonics and inertial navigation, the company has created a patented technology known as the Anello SiPhOG gyroscope. This innovative sensor leverages an integrated photonic system-on-chip that utilizes a proprietary waveguide process, which simulates the characteristics of optical fiber within a compact chip. Anello's technology aims to redefine navigation systems with next-generation capabilities, positioning the company as a leader in the mass-market sensor industry. The company has garnered support from prominent venture capital firms to propel its growth and technological advancements.
Iris Light Technologies
Grant in 2021
Iris Light Technologies is an electronics company that specializes in advanced laser technology aimed at enhancing the silicon photonics market. The company develops innovative solutions that increase the bandwidth and energy efficiency of light chips by employing a unique and scalable method for integrating multiple lasers onto a single chip. This technology supports a variety of applications, including optical communications, optical sensors, and the emerging Internet of Things (IoT). By focusing on breakthrough on-chip laser technology, Iris Light Technologies empowers advancements in artificial intelligence and 5G communications, positioning itself as a key player in the evolving landscape of electronic solutions.
NoMIS Power specializes in manufacturing silicon carbide (SiC) power semiconductor devices and innovative packaging architectures. They offer technical consulting, SiC design services, and research & development capabilities to the electronics industry.
Impact Photonics
Grant in 2021
Impact Photonics is a technology company focused on developing advanced photonic devices, specifically a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor-compatible single photon avalanche diode based on germanium. This innovative device operates at eye-safe wavelengths, making it suitable for various applications in the field of optics and photonics. The company places a strong emphasis on the semiconductor growth process, ensuring high-quality production and performance of its products. Currently, Impact Photonics is operating in stealth mode, indicating a focus on research and development while keeping its specific projects and timelines under wraps.
Lelantos develops IoT-compatible gas sensors using MEMS resonator arrays on CMOS silicon microchips. These sensors consume less power and cost less than current technologies, offering superior detection performance for applications such as threat detection, industrial safety, environmental monitoring, and medical diagnostics.
Quintessent Inc., incorporated in 2019 and headquartered in Santa Barbara, California, is a technology company focused on the commercialization of quantum dot-based lasers and photonic integrated circuits. The company develops advanced optical connectivity solutions that utilize the unique properties of quantum dot gain media, combined with co-designed architectures. This innovation enables high-bandwidth communication channels essential for optical networking, large-scale computing systems, and deep learning applications. By leveraging advanced semiconductor materials and laser architectures, Quintessent aims to facilitate the growth of next-generation optical networks and enhance capabilities in sensing and deep learning systems.
Serinus Labs
Grant in 2021
Serinus Labs, Inc. is a manufacturer of nano-scale silicon gas sensors, established in 2017 and based in Berkeley, California. The company specializes in developing integrated chip-scale gas sensors tailored for various industries, including health and safety, automotive, consumer electronics, and healthcare. Serinus Labs offers custom solutions that address both existing and emerging market needs. In particular, the company focuses on providing ultra-low-power trace gas sensors for Li-ion battery state-of-health monitoring, which enhances battery intelligence in electric vehicles. Through its innovative technology, Serinus Labs aims to meet critical demands across strategic markets.
Pseudolithic
Grant in 2021
Pseudolithic specializes in developing semiconductor chipmaking processes for the growing RF and mm-Wave technology market. Its core offering is a heterogeneous integration process that combines diverse materials and functionalities onto single chips, enhancing clients' access to superior silicon chips.
Airity Technologies
Grant in 2021
Airity Technologies is a deep-tech startup focused on advancing power electronics through innovative high-voltage power conversion technologies. The company designs and develops power supply units that are significantly smaller and more power-dense than conventional options, boasting tenfold reductions in size and fiftyfold increases in power density. By creating novel circuit topologies, Airity Technologies aims to enhance efficiency and reduce costs, providing solutions that generate plasma in various environments, including open atmosphere and partial vacuum. Their products cater to a range of industries such as semiconductor, aerospace, telecommunications, and medical, offering compact power supplies that compete effectively with existing technologies.
Amorphyx is an electrical and electronic manufacturing company focused on developing thin-film electronic devices, particularly for flat panel displays, sensors, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications. The company employs a fabless research and development model, licensing its innovative technologies to Tier 1 manufacturers in the consumer electronics sector. Amorphyx's advanced technology utilizes amorphous metal electrodes, which provide uniform electric field control while eliminating the need for semiconductors. This approach simplifies design rules and enhances conduction speed, facilitating a more efficient manufacturing process. By offering alternatives that are less expensive and more mobile, Amorphyx enables improvements in power conservation and refresh management, ultimately expanding the capabilities of modern display technologies.
Infini Fluidics
Grant in 2021
Infini Fluidics develops injectable drug delivery systems intended to treat diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. They provide injectable drug delivery systems at an industrial scale on a portable chip, combining microfluidics with semiconductor technology, enabling patients, healthcare providers, and facilities to get access to lifesaving drugs.
Phosio specializes in producing unique chemicals that facilitate the creation of metal oxide thin films using ultraviolet (UV) light at very low temperatures. These metal oxides are utilized across various industries, including semiconductors, batteries, optical coatings, and optoelectronic devices such as displays and solar cells. Additionally, Phosio develops photoresist materials designed to manufacture high aspect ratio nanostructures, focusing on low-temperature production of high-refractive-index optical coatings that are UV curable, transparent, and robust. These advancements support the tech hardware industry in developing smart devices for components like augmented reality, organic light-emitting diode (OLED), and light-emitting diode (LED) technologies.
DeepSim develops electronic design automation (EDA) technology to accelerate chip design and verification. Its technology enables chip designers to run non-electronic circuit simulations, identifying voltage, current, and stress anomalies within circuit designs.
NLM Photonics
Grant in 2021
NLM Photonics is a semiconductor technology company developing electro-optic modulation technology for transforming networking, computing, and sensing. Based on over two decades of research from the University of Washington, NLM's patented Hybrid Organic Electro-Optic (OEO) Technology enables low-voltage, low-power, high-performance transfer of data between electronics and photonics. This unique solution addresses the bottleneck in signal conversion between electronics and photonics in silicon photonics platforms, offering superior power efficiency and scalable bandwidth.
Silicon Assurance
Grant in 2021
Founded in 2021, Silicon Assurance specializes in hardware security software designed to enhance trust in silicon chips under the zero-trust model. Their automated tool reduces time spent on chip design security checks and prevents data leakage from systems.
Arithmik specializes in providing hardware solutions tailored for artificial intelligence and high-performance computing (HPC) applications. The company focuses on researching integrated circuits, aiming to reduce the scaling requirements of devices and interconnect circuits. This approach allows computer manufacturers to utilize integrated circuit technology that excels in parallel and distributed computing. Additionally, Arithmik's solutions are designed to be reconfigurable at runtime through a compiler, enhancing flexibility and performance for emerging AI and HPC tasks.
BlueDot Photonics
Grant in 2021
BlueDot Photonics, Inc. is a company based in Kirkland, Washington, that specializes in the design, development, and production of solar panels and other photonic devices. Incorporated in 2019, BlueDot focuses on enhancing the performance and durability of solar energy devices. By utilizing innovative semiconductor materials, the company aims to increase the power output of solar panels, making clean energy more accessible and affordable for a broader range of customers.
Inchfab develops proprietary microchip manufacturing tools and provides a microfabrication platform that supports prototyping and low-volume production for semiconductor and micromechanical IoT chips. The tools are designed for cost-effectiveness and scalability, enabling clients to design and manufacture customized microchips and MEMS devices at small production volumes.
Avicena Tech specializes in manufacturing advanced optical chip interconnects, operating at ultra-low power and ultra-high speeds (petabit per second). Their innovative technology, based on silicon photonics and other high-volume commercial technologies, enables ultra-dense, low-latency, and low-cost connections between chips. This significantly enhances system performance and efficiency, addressing critical inter-chip communication needs, particularly in applications constrained by traditional electrical interconnects.
Sonata Scientific
Grant in 2020
Sonata Scientific develops advanced air purification systems and antimicrobial products.
Nanomatronix
Grant in 2020
Nanomatronix operates an engineering platform that specializes in biotechnology, microelectronics, and nanotechnology. The company provides solutions tailored for the healthcare, energy, and defense sectors. Its offerings encompass the design, prototyping, packaging, screening, qualification, and production of application-specific integrated circuits, hybrid microcircuits, and fiber optic networking transceivers. These products are engineered for use in both terrestrial and harsh environments, facilitating the transition of innovative technologies in biomedical, chemical processing, microelectronics, nanomaterials, and photonics. Through its expertise, Nanomatronix aims to support advancements in critical industries.
Quicksilver Biosciences
Grant in 2020
Quicksilver Biosciences is a biotechnology company focused on developing an innovative CMOS-integrated biosensor platform for rapid genomic identification. The company aims to enhance sensitivity levels beyond the current state-of-the-art, providing healthcare professionals with a portable solution that can significantly reduce patient health costs. Through its proprietary sensing techniques, Quicksilver Biosciences is positioned to advance genomic diagnostics, contributing to more efficient and effective healthcare delivery.
Lux Semiconductors
Grant in 2020
Lux Semiconductors develops crystalline thin-film semiconductors used in flexible integrated circuits and designs metal-core substrates intended to replace traditional organic and glass cores in advanced semiconductor packages. The company's patented platform improves heat dissipation, power delivery, electromagnetic shielding, structural stability, and signal integrity, enabling manufacturers across data-center processors, AI accelerators, aerospace and defense electronics, automotive systems, battery management, and medical devices to overcome performance bottlenecks.
Lelantos develops IoT-compatible gas sensors using MEMS resonator arrays on CMOS silicon microchips. These sensors consume less power and cost less than current technologies, offering superior detection performance for applications such as threat detection, industrial safety, environmental monitoring, and medical diagnostics.
Terecircuits
Grant in 2020
Terecircuits develops materials and processes to enable microassembly and mass transfer for displays and advanced electronics. The company offers advanced polymers, encapsulation materials, and liquid metal interconnects, along with photo-polymer mass transfer used in MicroLEDs for automotive and AR/VR applications. It also develops new materials and design language for systems-in-package manufacturing to support Internet of Things and health technology. Serving the display, electronics, and semiconductor industries, the company focuses on precision mass transfer, lightweight embedded sensors, and lower-power circuitry to enable faster, lower-cost device production. It is based in Mountain View, California.
SkyGig is a Michigan-based company specializing in millimeter-wave wireless communications. It develops innovative beamforming technology to provide scalable, cost-effective broadband connectivity.
OptiPulse, Inc. specializes in the design and manufacture of wireless communication equipment aimed at enhancing connectivity across various environments. The company develops advanced semiconductor laser technology that utilizes multidimensional multiplexing in wireless devices, facilitating high-speed communication. This innovative approach enables a flexible mesh network framework, allowing for diverse configurations that support inter-city, building-to-building, and residential communication. Through its cutting-edge technology, OptiPulse aims to improve connectivity options for users, meeting the evolving demands of modern communication infrastructure.
Third Floor Materials
Grant in 2020
Third Floor Materials develops algorithmic technology to support infrared spectroscopy and the design of optical components for specialized IR applications. The company provides coating services on a wide range of substrate materials and shapes, using deposition methods such as magnetron sputtering, plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy, pulsed laser deposition, resistive and e-beam evaporation, metal-organic vapor phase epitaxy, and chemical deposition. Its technology enables photonic design, concept development, and feasibility studies for infrared systems. Founded in 2016, the company is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Boston Materials
Seed Round in 2020
Boston Materials designs and manufactures advanced composite materials, including carbon fiber pre-pregs enabled by its patented Z-axis Fiber technology, which uses vertically aligned carbon fibers to improve energy transfer. The company produces magnetically assembled carbon fiber pre-pregs and other specialty materials for semiconductors, aerospace platforms, and thermal management, delivering lightweight, high-performance solutions for electronics, aviation, electrified vehicles, and related industries. Its processes include roll-to-roll manufacturing with in-line quality control to support scalable production and consistent quality across applications.
Kampanics is a research and development company based in Oak Ridge, North Carolina, specializing in microacoustic devices and piezomems technology. Founded by Kushal Bhattacharjee, the company focuses on providing innovative solutions in signal processing, sensing, and energy harvesting. By collaborating with academic associates, corporate partners, and domain experts, Kampanics aims to facilitate the development of new products and services that leverage its specialized technological expertise.
Obsidian Sensors
Grant in 2020
Founded in La Jolla, California in 2017, Obsidian Sensors specializes in developing high-resolution thermal imaging sensors and cameras. Utilizing a proprietary glass microelectromechanical system (MEMS) manufacturing process, the company produces uncooled microbolometers at lower costs and on a larger scale than conventional silicon-based devices. Their products cater to automotive (ADAS and autonomy), security/surveillance, drones, and industrial applications.
OWiC Technologies
Grant in 2020
OWiC Technologies specializes in the development of microscopic optical smart ID tags that seamlessly integrate the physical and digital worlds. Their innovative tags utilize a small onboard integrated circuit to enhance security while maintaining a compact design. This technology facilitates a user-friendly, light-based interface for hand-held scanning, which can be accessed using a smartphone. By combining advanced security features with an intelligent processing capability, OWiC Technologies provides clients with an efficient solution for identity verification and data access.
Monstr Sense Technologies
Grant in 2020
Monstr Sense Technologies develops spectrometers for microscopy and microscopy tools for defect inspection in semiconductors. The company is based in Ann Arbor, Michigan and is dedicated to the advancement and development of coherent spectroscopy and imaging technologies.
Logisic Devices
Grant in 2020
Logisic Devices manufactures power semiconductor devices. The company was founded in 2019 and is headquartered in San Jose, California.
Advent Diamond
Grant in 2020
Advent Diamond is a company focused on the development of next-generation semiconductor materials and components aimed at enhancing innovation in telecommunications, power, quantum computing, and advanced sensors. The company specializes in the design and fabrication of semiconducting diamond components, utilizing cleanroom processing, lithography, and surface modifications. Additionally, Advent Diamond is advancing the creation of new types of radiation detectors tailored for defense, commercial, and scientific applications. Through its innovative approach, Advent Diamond seeks to provide essential materials and components that meet the evolving demands of various high-tech industries.
SuperMEM specializes in the development of lightweight chips that facilitate the integration of artificial intelligence into various devices. These chips are designed to enhance Internet of Things applications by incorporating AI capabilities without significantly increasing costs or power consumption. SuperMEM's technology provides a standard chip interface and simplifies software migration, allowing clients to adopt advanced AI solutions efficiently and affordably. The company's innovations aim to transform everyday devices, contributing to a smarter and more connected world.
ANAFLASH is a semiconductor startup that develops a flash-based neuromorphic processor and test chip to demonstrate analog neurocomputing inside embedded flash memory. The company provides an energy-efficient AI solution for edge devices that operate without cloud connectivity, leveraging standard CMOS processes. Its technology enables real-time artificial intelligence inference on battery-powered devices by computing where data resides, reducing data movement and traffic. The solution integrates a non-volatile neural network computing engine to perform tasks securely without relying on cloud resources, offering a cost-effective path to edge AI. Founded in 2017 and based in San Jose, California, ANAFLASH has received funding from federal agencies including the National Science Foundation, the Department of Defense, and NASA to advance brain-inspired compute for smart edge devices.
Quintessent Inc., incorporated in 2019 and headquartered in Santa Barbara, California, is a technology company focused on the commercialization of quantum dot-based lasers and photonic integrated circuits. The company develops advanced optical connectivity solutions that utilize the unique properties of quantum dot gain media, combined with co-designed architectures. This innovation enables high-bandwidth communication channels essential for optical networking, large-scale computing systems, and deep learning applications. By leveraging advanced semiconductor materials and laser architectures, Quintessent aims to facilitate the growth of next-generation optical networks and enhance capabilities in sensing and deep learning systems.
nTact provides services for developed, right-circle die deposition (coating) systems and integrated process solutions for display, microelectronics, alternative energy, and other thin-film-dependent industries. These services include design, development, manufacture, integration, sale, and service.
SMART Pad is a provider of CMP conditioning-free pads with controlled design rules. The company was founded in 2018 by Sunghoon Lee and is headquartered in Cohoes, New York, United States.
SandBox Semiconductor
Grant in 2020
SandBox Semiconductor develops software for semiconductor process development that accelerates nanofabrication recipe development and reduces costs in chip production. The platform combines physics-based modeling and artificial intelligence to simulate etch and deposition steps, supported by tools for process simulation, hybrid metrology analysis, and recipe optimization. By reducing the number of required experiments, it aims to shorten cycle times and enable faster, more cost-efficient deployment of new microelectronic devices.
Mosaic Microsystems
Grant in 2020
Mosaic Microsystems LLC is a microelectronics and photonics packaging company headquartered in Rochester, New York. Founded in 2016, the company specializes in using glass and other thin substrates as a platform material for various applications, including logic, memory, analog and power electronics, photonics, RF, MEMS, and sensor technologies. Mosaic Microsystems aims to support manufacturers by providing solutions that enable high-volume thin glass manufacturing, thereby enhancing efficiency and performance in the microelectronics sector.
NextGen Battery Technologies
Grant in 2019
NextGen Battery Technologies develops advanced battery solutions. It specializes in proprietary solid-state electrolyte and cobalt-free cathode technology, aiming to facilitate large-scale electric vehicle adoption.
Creathadh Energies
Grant in 2019
Creathadh Energies, established in 2018 and headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, specializes in the development of integrated circuit technology tailored for low-power vibration applications. The company's platform is designed to create a vibration energy harvesting-based sensor system, which focuses on generating low-power vibration energy. This technology enables users to produce energy at a very low cost, making it a cost-effective solution for various applications.
easyXAFS offers complete instruments for advanced x-ray spectroscopy. The company was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Seattle, Washington.
Recon RF specializes in the design and manufacture of monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs), low-noise amplifiers (LNAs), mixers, and transmit/receive (T/R) cells, which are essential for creating integrated microwave assemblies and modules operating from DC to over 140 GHz. The company is known for its advanced GaN solid-state power amplifier (SSPA) design capabilities, allowing for the development of custom ultra-high-efficiency SSPAs in various configurations, including MMIC and Hybrid-MIC forms. Additionally, Recon RF utilizes parallel computing techniques to optimize on-chip component values with electromagnetic (EM) accuracy, facilitating the exploration of design alternatives and the verification of large-scale system performance. This innovative approach enhances product development and amplifier efficiency for their clients.
Astrileux Corporation is a semiconductor R&D company, driven by a desire to make technology faster and more accessible. The future is exciting, and continually seek new ways to advance the state of human kind.
Astrileux’s strategy is to design revolutionary advanced engineering technologies that enable high volume manufacturing of next generation integrated circuits (IC) chips. The implications of this development are to accelerate the arrival of next generation computing technology creating faster, smaller more powerful mobile devices and providing evolutionary advances in quality of life for a globally-social electronic community.
To implement this strategy Astrileux will strive to champion the market in technology/cost performance, enable new untapped market segments for chipmakers and drive clean tech products.
Sonata Scientific
Grant in 2019
Sonata Scientific develops advanced air purification systems and antimicrobial products.
Improving the world for plants, animals and people by commercializing sensors for fine and ultrafine particulate matter detection. Based on MEMS and Thin FBAR technology. Funded by National Science Foundation (NSF) Seed Fund for America, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), National Institutes of Health (NIH) and others. Finalist NASA Earth Space Air Prize. Winner Cutting Edge Award Shanghai/Yangpu Global Startup Competition. Winner 2019 Red Herring Top 100 North American Companies award.
Active Layer Parametrics
Grant in 2019
Active Layer Parametrics (ALP Inc.) specializes in developing advanced metrology equipment for the semiconductor manufacturing industry. Their system is uniquely capable of rapidly and accurately measuring mobility and activated carrier concentration profiles with Angstrom-level resolution. This technology provides detailed insights into the depth of electrical activation resulting from implant-anneal processes, which are crucial for improving yield and device performance. By offering quick feedback on process changes, ALP Inc.'s equipment enables efficient process development, modeling, and reliable manufacturing control, thereby enhancing the overall efficiency and reliability of semiconductor production.
Axalume develops proprietary silicon photonic integrated circuits combined with silicon electronics. Their technology aims to address interconnect bottlenecks in servers, datacenters, and high-performance computing systems. Axalume's products include silicon photonics IP, chipsets, and architecture designed to enhance Internet data centers' speed, cost-efficiency, space utilization, and energy efficiency.
Uniqarta specializes in the development of advanced technologies for the manufacture of flexible electronics, focusing on small, ultra-thin integrated circuits (ICs). The company has developed a proprietary laser-enabled assembly technology that significantly enhances the efficiency of chip placement by replacing traditional pick-and-place methods with a fast, massively parallel approach. This innovative technology allows for the seamless integration of ultra-thin ICs into everyday materials such as paper and plastic, resulting in Smart Materials that eliminate the need for additional RFID labels. By addressing critical integration challenges, Uniqarta empowers electronics manufacturers to create next-generation products that contribute to the evolution of the Internet of Things (IoT).
PQSecure specializes in developing and implementing post-quantum cryptographic solutions. They offer symmetric and asymmetric algorithms designed to secure current devices against potential threats from quantum computers.
NXM Labs Inc. specializes in the development of security and data integrity software that protects connected devices from cyber threats, including those posed by quantum computing. Founded in 2016 and based in San Francisco, California, the company focuses on enabling seamless collaboration among devices to enhance security and safeguard personal privacy. NXM Labs serves a variety of sectors, including communications, semiconductors, automotive, and enterprise software. Its technology empowers clients to automatically manage security across their operations, from hardware to cloud, ensuring the integrity and versatility of their data. The company has been recognized for its innovative contributions to IoT security, receiving the Frost & Sullivan’s North American Visionary Innovation Leadership Award in 2019.
Labsys is a company based in East Lansing, Michigan, founded in 2011, that specializes in the development of microelectronics and microfabrication technology. The firm focuses on creating solutions for government, industry, and academic partners, primarily aimed at enhancing safety and efficiency in various applications. Labsys's technology is designed to control sensors for detecting toxic or explosive gases and to facilitate quality control processes. Additionally, the company offers non-destructive evaluation techniques for assessing the structural integrity of aircraft, as well as microfluidic integration for bio-analysis. Their innovations also include bio-mimetic self-adhesives, enabling the aircraft industry to implement advanced sensors and algorithms for identifying cracks and corrosion in airframes.
ActiveMEMS is a technology startup focused on commercializing advanced micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) technologies developed at the University of Michigan. The company leverages proprietary design and manufacturing innovations to deliver solutions for wireless sensing across diverse applications, such as industrial monitoring, vehicle instrumentation, smart buildings, and wearable devices. ActiveMEMS is dedicated to creating high-performance micro transducers and energy harvesters, addressing the demands of next-generation energy-autonomous wireless sensors and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. To support the production of these advanced systems, the company is developing new microfabrication technologies that enable the wafer-scale integration of high-quality smart materials. This core technology platform not only facilitates the creation of energy harvesters but also extends to applications including high-resolution ultrasound transceiver arrays for biomedical imaging, as well as micro-speakers, microphones, and haptic-feedback transducers for mobile consumer electronics.
SkyGig is a Michigan-based company specializing in millimeter-wave wireless communications. It develops innovative beamforming technology to provide scalable, cost-effective broadband connectivity.
Boston Microtechnology
Grant in 2019
Boston Microtechnology is a semiconductor company that specializes in the development of CMOS-integrated isolated AC/DC conversion. The company was founded in 2014 and is based in Burlington, Massachusetts.
Tagore Technology
Grant in 2019
Tagore Technology is a semiconductor company established in January 2011 by a team of seasoned professionals in the radio frequency and wireless technology sectors. The company specializes in the design and manufacture of radio frequency products aimed at enhancing integrated IC power for wireless infrastructure and high-power radios. Its innovative platform focuses on power management systems, including thermal sensors, voltage references, and comparators. By offering these products at competitive prices, Tagore Technology enables customers to decrease the size and power consumption of their wireless systems, thereby improving efficiency and performance in the industry.
AmberWave, Inc. is a research and development company specializing in photovoltaic technology solutions for commercial buildings, as well as semiconductor manufacturing technologies. Founded in 1998, the company has developed a range of advanced materials and technologies, including Strained Silicon, which enhances microchip performance while reducing power consumption, and Aspect Ratio Trapping, used for silicon-based photonics and photovoltaic applications. AmberWave aims to provide high-value products for underrepresented markets and new applications, focusing on substrate engineering for integrated circuits, semiconductor lighting, and photovoltaics. The company is headquartered in Salem, New Hampshire, and was previously known as AmberWave Systems Corporation before changing its name in 2010.
Photon Spot specializes in superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors, their applications, and sub-Kelvin cryogenic systems. The company was founded in 2019 and is based in Monrovia, California.
Advanced Silicon Group
Grant in 2019
Advanced Silicon Group is a nanotechnology company founded in 2015, focused on commercializing innovative silicon nanotechnology developed by its employees. The company specializes in measuring host cell proteins in biomanufacturing, utilizing its advanced technology to enhance various applications, including photovoltaics, lithium-ion batteries, microfluidics, and micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS). Advanced Silicon Group is also engaged in the development of next-generation biosensors, leveraging silicon to enable multiplexed measurements that allow for the simultaneous detection of multiple protein concentrations. This capability aids clients in improving performance and reducing costs by integrating silicon nanowire arrays into their products.
Gigajot Technology
Grant in 2019
Gigajot Technology Inc. specializes in the development of Quanta Image Sensors (QIS), which utilize single photon detection technology to enhance image capture capabilities for both consumer and professional applications. Founded in 2017 by Dr. Saleh Masoodian and Dr. Jiaju Ma, the company is headquartered in Pasadena, California. Gigajot Technology offers a range of image processing services that cater to various fields, including scientific imaging, medical imaging, space imaging, security and defense, low-light photography and videography, computational imaging, automotive sensing, 3D sensing, and encryption. The innovative QIS technology enables high-speed image capture, thereby providing advanced solutions that surpass the limitations of current imaging devices.
Xidas designs and manufactures micro-scale sensing and actuation solutions for IoT, industrial, and life-technology applications. The company utilizes a patented miniaturization paradigm called Amalga, which blends novel manufacturing methods, design approaches, and diverse materials to create integrated micro-sensors, micro-actuators, 3D microstructures, and related substrates and assemblies. It employs non-silicon manufacturing processes to produce microelectronics substrates, 3D structures, and printed circuit boards, enabling compact, energy-efficient modules suitable for healthcare, biotech, medical devices, and a range of industrial IoT scenarios. By combining multidisciplinary expertise and a toolbox of precision fabrication, Xidas delivers industry-first smart modules and sensors designed to simplify process monitoring and control across various markets.
Ares Materials
Grant in 2019
Ares Materials, Inc. is a Dallas-based company that focuses on the development of flexible electronics for a variety of personal and commercial applications. Established in 2014, it specializes in creating advanced substrates for technologies such as electrophoretic displays, wearable devices, rollable electronics, and smart packaging. The company employs innovative chemistry and artificial intelligence to enhance the design and production of its products, offering tailored solutions that meet the evolving demands of the display industry. Ares Materials is committed to enabling the commercialization of flexible electronics through its unique substrate technology, facilitating the creation of next-generation consumer devices and architectural applications.
Zebra Analytix
Grant in 2019
Zebra Analytix, Inc. specializes in the development and commercialization of miniature gas chromatography systems utilizing microelectromechanical systems technology, which is exclusively licensed from Virginia Tech University. The company offers innovative products, including the Zebra-GC Model L and Modular Zebra-GC Model M, as well as micro pre-concentrators. Their solutions are designed for various applications, including quality control and safety in the food and beverage industry, environmental monitoring, and uses in the chemical, pharmaceutical, and energy sectors. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Fayetteville, Arkansas, Zebra Analytix focuses on delivering portable, versatile, and efficient analytical tools that enable businesses to analyze volatile compounds with enhanced speed and precision. Additionally, the company provides services for column refurbishment and custom designs tailored to specific research needs.
Telli Technologies
Grant in 2019
Telli Technologies develops sensors for SiC and GaN power electronics. The company was founded in 2016 and is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina.
AdvancedMEMS
Grant in 2019
AdvancedMEMS develops MEMS-based solutions for bio-photonic imaging applications and offers MEMS and electronics R&D services. The company is headquartered in San Francisco, California.
Aligned Carbon
Grant in 2019
Aligned Carbon Inc. is a manufacturer of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) specifically designed for the integrated circuit industry. Established in 2018 and headquartered in Santa Clara, California, the company produces semiconductor-pure, aligned CNTs that are available on industry-standard wafers at a manufacturing scale. These CNTs are uniquely aligned in arrays that cover full semiconductor substrates and can be purified to be either entirely semiconducting or metallic. Aligned Carbon's technology facilitates a transition away from traditional silicon, allowing semiconductor foundries to achieve significant improvements in speed, energy efficiency, and performance in applications such as logic processing, signal processing, and advanced sensing technologies. The company's innovations enable clients to enhance computing applications through the integration of carbon nanotube logic with conventional silicon logic and memory, thereby addressing growing demands in the semiconductor sector.
SMART Pad is a provider of CMP conditioning-free pads with controlled design rules. The company was founded in 2018 by Sunghoon Lee and is headquartered in Cohoes, New York, United States.
Serinus Labs
Grant in 2019
Serinus Labs, Inc. is a manufacturer of nano-scale silicon gas sensors, established in 2017 and based in Berkeley, California. The company specializes in developing integrated chip-scale gas sensors tailored for various industries, including health and safety, automotive, consumer electronics, and healthcare. Serinus Labs offers custom solutions that address both existing and emerging market needs. In particular, the company focuses on providing ultra-low-power trace gas sensors for Li-ion battery state-of-health monitoring, which enhances battery intelligence in electric vehicles. Through its innovative technology, Serinus Labs aims to meet critical demands across strategic markets.
COnovate is a company developing advanced lithium-ion battery components. It uses graphene monoxide to enhance energy storage capacity in batteries.
Momentum Optics
Grant in 2019
Momentum Optics specializes in the on-demand manufacturing of premium glass optics, addressing the growing demand for high-quality optical components. The company utilizes proprietary technology supported by NASA to produce custom lenses with precision, significantly enhancing manufacturing efficiency. By employing machine learning and a unique laser-based mechanism, Momentum Optics is able to fabricate multiple lenses simultaneously, thereby accelerating the development process for researchers and product developers. This innovative approach not only reduces costs and improves the performance of optical devices but also shortens time to market, positioning Momentum Optics as a leader in the optical components industry.
ANAFLASH is a semiconductor startup that develops a flash-based neuromorphic processor and test chip to demonstrate analog neurocomputing inside embedded flash memory. The company provides an energy-efficient AI solution for edge devices that operate without cloud connectivity, leveraging standard CMOS processes. Its technology enables real-time artificial intelligence inference on battery-powered devices by computing where data resides, reducing data movement and traffic. The solution integrates a non-volatile neural network computing engine to perform tasks securely without relying on cloud resources, offering a cost-effective path to edge AI. Founded in 2017 and based in San Jose, California, ANAFLASH has received funding from federal agencies including the National Science Foundation, the Department of Defense, and NASA to advance brain-inspired compute for smart edge devices.
Quicksilver Biosciences
Grant in 2019
Quicksilver Biosciences is a biotechnology company focused on developing an innovative CMOS-integrated biosensor platform for rapid genomic identification. The company aims to enhance sensitivity levels beyond the current state-of-the-art, providing healthcare professionals with a portable solution that can significantly reduce patient health costs. Through its proprietary sensing techniques, Quicksilver Biosciences is positioned to advance genomic diagnostics, contributing to more efficient and effective healthcare delivery.
Mosaic Microsystems
Grant in 2019
Mosaic Microsystems LLC is a microelectronics and photonics packaging company headquartered in Rochester, New York. Founded in 2016, the company specializes in using glass and other thin substrates as a platform material for various applications, including logic, memory, analog and power electronics, photonics, RF, MEMS, and sensor technologies. Mosaic Microsystems aims to support manufacturers by providing solutions that enable high-volume thin glass manufacturing, thereby enhancing efficiency and performance in the microelectronics sector.
Molecular Glasses
Grant in 2019
Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Rochester, New York, Molecular Glasses specializes in the development of non-crystallized molecular glasses for stable and long-lived organic electronics. The company focuses on creating a range of products including hole-transporting, electron-transporting, ambipolar, fluorescent, phosphorescent, cross-linkable, and soluble materials to enhance OLED technology.
Inspirit IoT
Grant in 2018
Inspirit IoT develops sensor intelligence analytics and machine learning software for IoT devices. The company offers tools such as Xcelo Compiler, SoundGuardian, and DNN Architect to accelerate ML performance on diverse IoT hardware through chip-agnostic high-level synthesis and hardware accelerator technology, enabling customers to deploy efficient sensor-enabled solutions. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Champaign, Illinois.
Green Mountain Semiconductor
Grant in 2018
Green Mountain Semiconductor is a design services, consulting, and IP company. They serve the semiconductor industry. Their services include neuromorphic computing, circuit design, physical design, and analog circuit design.
Micro-LAM Technologies
Grant in 2018
Micro-LAM Technologies is a specialty engineering company that designs and manufactures laser-assisted cutting tools and precision machining solutions for hard-to-machine materials. It offers the Micro-LAM Optimus T+1, a hybrid laser-diamond cutting tool system enabling ultra-precision machining of advanced ceramics, semiconductors, glass and metals. The company provides feasibility analysis, process development, system customization, and installation and ongoing support services to help customers optimize manufacturing setups, including laser wavelength and power, beam delivery, tool geometry, and mounting fixtures. Its services cover manufacturing setup evaluation, laser absorption testing, hardness reduction testing, and process parameter development, among others. Micro-LAM serves customers in optics, aerospace, defense and armor, semiconductor, and automotive sectors. Founded in 2012 and based in Michigan, the company focuses on enabling productivity and reliability in ultra-precision drilling and cutting of brittle and hard materials through its retrofittable laser-assisted technology.
Intensivate develops chip technology designed to enhance cloud-based analytic and database workloads. Its patented cluster central processing units offer significant improvements in performance, cost, power consumption, and space requirements, without needing additional software layers.
Lux Semiconductors
Grant in 2018
Lux Semiconductors develops crystalline thin-film semiconductors used in flexible integrated circuits and designs metal-core substrates intended to replace traditional organic and glass cores in advanced semiconductor packages. The company's patented platform improves heat dissipation, power delivery, electromagnetic shielding, structural stability, and signal integrity, enabling manufacturers across data-center processors, AI accelerators, aerospace and defense electronics, automotive systems, battery management, and medical devices to overcome performance bottlenecks.
Resonant Link
Grant in 2018
Founded in 2017, Resonant Link specializes in developing and manufacturing advanced wireless charging solutions. Utilizing coil technology, their products offer highly efficient power transfer for a wide range of applications, from electric vehicles to medical devices.
SandBox Semiconductor
Grant in 2018
SandBox Semiconductor develops software for semiconductor process development that accelerates nanofabrication recipe development and reduces costs in chip production. The platform combines physics-based modeling and artificial intelligence to simulate etch and deposition steps, supported by tools for process simulation, hybrid metrology analysis, and recipe optimization. By reducing the number of required experiments, it aims to shorten cycle times and enable faster, more cost-efficient deployment of new microelectronic devices.
Boston Materials
Grant in 2018
Boston Materials designs and manufactures advanced composite materials, including carbon fiber pre-pregs enabled by its patented Z-axis Fiber technology, which uses vertically aligned carbon fibers to improve energy transfer. The company produces magnetically assembled carbon fiber pre-pregs and other specialty materials for semiconductors, aerospace platforms, and thermal management, delivering lightweight, high-performance solutions for electronics, aviation, electrified vehicles, and related industries. Its processes include roll-to-roll manufacturing with in-line quality control to support scalable production and consistent quality across applications.
Lake of Bays Semiconductor
Seed Round in 2018
LOB researches and tests novel architectures of integrated circuits.
Advent Diamond
Grant in 2018
Advent Diamond is a company focused on the development of next-generation semiconductor materials and components aimed at enhancing innovation in telecommunications, power, quantum computing, and advanced sensors. The company specializes in the design and fabrication of semiconducting diamond components, utilizing cleanroom processing, lithography, and surface modifications. Additionally, Advent Diamond is advancing the creation of new types of radiation detectors tailored for defense, commercial, and scientific applications. Through its innovative approach, Advent Diamond seeks to provide essential materials and components that meet the evolving demands of various high-tech industries.
C&B Tech offers an integrated semiconductor design process that aims to revolutionize the manufacturing industry. The company was founded in 2015 and is based in San Diego, California.
Simpetus is a company that specializes in developing business simulation software aimed at enhancing the research and development processes for enterprises and entrepreneurs. The firm offers a platform that employs a Python API to facilitate electromagnetic design and modeling, allowing photonics scientists and engineers to conduct simulations efficiently. By providing essential tools for electromagnetic simulations, Simpetus supports users in achieving rapid and accurate results, positioning itself as a catalyst for innovation and technological advancements in the field.