Chip startup funding up in July, says GSA

Chip startup funding up in July, says GSA

SAN FRANCISCO—Semiconductor firms and suppliers raised $72.5 million in July, up 127 percent from June but down 11 percent compared with July 2012, according to the Global Semiconductor Association (GSA).

Five chip companies and suppliers received funding, GSA said. The largest deal of the month was a third round of equity funding worth $30 million for MRAM vendor Avalanche Technology Inc., GSA said.

Over the last 12 months, 84 semiconductor companies and suppliers have raised $953.3 million, down 17 percent from more than $1.15 billion raised in the prior 12 months, GSA said.

GSA reported that no semiconductor companies filed for an initial public offering in July. RFID vendor Impinj Inc. withdrew its registration filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission after receiving $21 million in funding in July, GSA noted.

Thirteen merger and acquisition deals of entire semiconductor companies occurred in July, up 30 percent from June and 18 percent from July 2011, GSA said. The largest acquisition of the month was Apple Inc.'s acquisition of fingerprint chip developer AuthenTec Inc. for $356 million in cash, GSA said.

Related stories:

• VC chip funding: Down in June, up in quarter
• Semiconductor venture funding up 10% through May
• Russia drives into U.S. fabless funding
• Apple to acquire fingerprint chip firm Authentec
• Startup raises $30 million to bring MRAM to market

TAG:Chip Funding GSA Semiconductor