Ambiq Micro Closes $10M Series B Funding Led by Austin Ventures

AUSTIN, TX--(Marketwired - Aug 20, 2013) - Ambiq Micro, a leader in ultra-low power integrated circuits, announced today that it has closed a $10M Series B funding round. The funding was 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 fabless semiconductor company is 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.

About Ambiq Micro
Ambiq Micro products are redefining the meaning of ultra-low power integrated circuits. The company's proprietary SPOT design platform dramatically reduces energy consumed in standard CMOS chip designs to subthreshold levels -- up to orders of magnitude below the power required in today's traditional semiconductor product designs. Significantly increased battery life frees product designers to expand the features and functions incorporated in their products and exceed battery life requirements. Ambiq Micro's products inherently change the design and use of energy critical products used in consumer, industrial, automotive and medical applications. Go to www.ambiqmicro.com for additional information about the company, technology and its products.

About Austin Ventures
Austin Ventures ("AV") has worked with talented entrepreneurs to build valuable companies for over 30 years. With $3.9 billion of capital raised, AV is the most active venture capital firm in Texas and one of the most established in the nation. AV invests in early stage and middle market companies, and its strategy is to partner with talented executives and entrepreneurs to build industry-leading companies predominantly in Texas.

About Mercury Fund
Mercury Fund is a seed- and early-stage venture capital firm that makes equity investments in compelling and novel software and science-based startup opportunities. Mercury partners with extraordinary entrepreneurs to build globally competitive businesses, focusing on technology innovation originating in the U.S. Midcontinent. Our firm has a particular interest in startups associated with seed accelerators, incubators and universities. We frequently invest prior to the formation of a business plan or complete management team.

Since inception in 2005, Mercury Fund has become one of the most active seed- and early-stage venture firms in the Midcontinent, becoming a "go-to" fund for entrepreneurs at the earliest stages of idea generation, company formation, and market execution.