May 17, 2012 — In April 2012, venture investment dollars received by semiconductor companies was $194.2 million; a 901.0% increase month-over-month (M/M) and 461.3% increase year-over-year (Y/Y), reports the Global Semiconductor Alliance (GSA). March had seen investments drop off.
Eight semiconductor companies received funding; a 60.0% increase M/M and a 100.0% increase Y/Y. “Semiconductor companies” encompasses fabless companies, integrated device manufacturers (IDMs) and semiconductor suppliers. Of the eight companies that received funding, five were fabless and three were suppliers.
The highest funding amounts went to Quantenna Communications and Violin Memory Inc.
On April 27, fabless Audience Inc. announced the terms for its initial public offering (IPO). Audience plans to raise approximately $79.1 million by offering 5.3 million shares at a price range of $14-$16.
April saw seven total semiconductor mergers and acquisitions (M&As) announced (involving entire companies, not sectors/product lines or foundry facilities), the same amount as March, and 1 fewer than April 2011. The largest was Integrated Device Technology Inc.’s (IDT) buy of PLX Technolgy Inc. for $330.0 million.
GSA’s April 2012 Statistics from its Global Semiconductor Funding, IPO and M&A Update are available at http://www.gsaglobal.org/publications/fundings/index.asp The Global Semiconductor Alliance (GSA) accelerates the growth and increases the return on invested capital of the global semiconductor industry. Members include companies throughout the supply chain representing 30 countries across the globe. Learn more at www.gsaglobal.org.