Fabless ASIC startup eSilicon raises $6 million in funding

Fabless ASIC startup eSilicon raises $6 million in funding
By Semiconductor Business News
February 21, 2002 (1:38 p.m. EST)
URL: http://www.eetimes.com/story/OEG20020221S0056

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- eSilicon Corp., a fabless chip supplier of ASICs, today announced that it has secured $6 million in funding from a number of investors.

Fremont Ventures was the lead investor in eSilicon. Crosspoint Venture Partners, Texas Pacific Group, and a limited number of individual private investors also participated in the round. "eSilicon made remarkable strides in 2001, despite the worst semiconductor downturn in history," said Jack Harding, chairman, president and CEO of eSilicon Corp.

"Coupled with recent customer announcements, this significant investment and strong vote of confidence by Fremont Ventures establishes our position as the company that is charting a new course for the ASIC industry," said Harding, who was previously president and CEO of Cadence Design Systems Inc.

Last month, Harding announced eSilicon had garnered 10 design wins and he said the company would start shipping its first chips in volume next quarter (see Jan. 23 story). Among eSilicon's first designs are a special delay-locked loop circuit for a digital camera designed for Eastman Kodak; an MP3 encoder/decoder for PortalPlayer; a home gateway device designed for 2Wire; and a one-million-gate device for an undisclosed set-top maker.