Tokyo, April 26, 2007 - Intel Capital Japan today announced that Intel Capital has invested ¥1 billion in Niigata Seimitsu Co., Ltd., a developer and manufacturer of CMOS-based ICs featuring FM/AM radio and digital TV tuner on a single chip. Further financial details of the investment have not been disclosed.
Niigata Seimitsu has been developing a variety of CMOS radio ICs and voice/video signal processing ICs based on its unique mixed signal technologies, as well as providing foundry services for high-density mounting and packaging.
The investment from Intel Capital is aimed to enhance Niigata Seimitsu's capability to develop very small, high-performance, low-power, CMOS-based ICs for FM/AM radio and terrestrial digital TV tuners, which will be embedded in Intel® processor-based mobile PCs and ultra-mobile PCs (UMPCs). Given the penetration and expansion of usage models with mobile PCs in the digital entertainment arena, demand for those single chip tuner ICs is expanding apace. Additionally, the company and Intel plan to jointly showcase those tuner IC products to domestic and international PC makers to foster new usage models for mobile PCs and UMPCs.
"Increasing numbers of mobile devices in Japan have embedded FM radio ICs and terrestrial digital TV tuners," said Takeshi Ikeda, President of Niigata Seimitsu Co., Ltd. "Moving forward, we will enhance our operating foundation with the investment from Intel Capital. We also collaborate with Intel in a various business fields, along with development of tuner ICs for mobile PCs and UMPCs, so that we will accelerate the penetration of our CMOS tuner ICs -- not only in Japan, but globally as well."
Ever since the launch of Intel® Centrino® processor technology, Intel has been at the forefront in building an ecosystem for mobile computing. This ecosystem enables next generation mobile computing platforms and enhances user experience, specifically with features such as wireless LAN capability and enhanced battery life. "Japan has been the leader in creating novel technologies and developing new usage models for PCs and mobile devices," said Arvind Sodhani, President of Intel Capital. "Through the investment in Niigata Seimitsu, we expect to foster innovation that helps more consumers experience and enjoy digital entertainment on mobile PCs and UMPCs," said Sudheer Kuppam, Managing Director for Intel Capital, overseeing investments in India, Japan, Australia and South-East Asia.
About Intel Capital
Intel Capital, Intel's venture capital organization, makes equity investments in innovative technology start-ups and companies worldwide. Intel Capital invests in a broad range of companies offering hardware, software, and services targeting enterprise, home, mobility, health, consumer Internet and semiconductor manufacturing. Since 1991, Intel Capital has invested more than US$6 billion in nearly 1,000 companies in more than 40 countries. In that time, about 180 portfolio companies have been acquired by other companies and another 155 have gone public on various exchanges around the world. In 2006, Intel Capital invested about US$1.07 billion in 163 deals with approximately 60 percent of funds (excluding Clearwire) invested outside the United States. For more information on Intel Capital and its differentiated advantages, visit www.intel.co.jp/jp/capital.
About Intel
Intel, the world leader in silicon innovation, develops technologies, products and initiatives to continually advance how people work and live. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom.
About Niigata Seimitsu
Niigata Seimitsu has been developing a variety of CMOS radio ICs and voice/video signal processing ICs based on its unique mixed signal technologies, as well as providing foundry services for high-density mounting and packaging. Additional information about Niigata Seimitsu is available at www.niigata-s.co.jp.
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