June 11, 2003 – Kyma Technologies, Research Triangle Park, NC, a supplier of GaN substrates, has obtained $4 million in new venture capital funding, with which it plans to add staff and build a new fab space in North Carolina. Digital Power Capital and Siemens Venture Capital co-led the funding, which was also supported by former Kyma investors.

Kyma supplies 2-in. GaN wafers to semiconductor companies, including Osram Opto Semiconductors, a subsidiary of Siemens AG. Other companies such as Nitronex also work with GaN substrates, but bulk production may still be several years away, according to analysts.

Silicon Valley research firm Strategies Unlimited is expected to release new data predicting the market for GaN devices to more than quadruple in the next four years to $4.5 billion. Target markets include communications, microelectronics, and optoelectronics, where LED monitors have used GaN materials for several years.