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§ Private Profile · Sunnyvale, CA, USA
Specializes in wet-processable transparent conductive films, like silver nanowire inks, for displays and touch-screens.
Based in Sunnyvale, California, Cambrios Technologies develops nanotechnology-based electronic materials, specializing in wet-processable transparent conductive films and silver nanowire inks for displays and touch-screens. The company creates nanostructured materials designed to replace indium tin oxide, allowing manufacturers to deposit these materials using existing production equipment. The enterprise supplies its materials to the consumer electronics and photovoltaic sectors, securing commercial partnerships with major hardware manufacturers such as Lenovo and Toshiba. The firm raised significant venture capital, including a $12 million Series B round and a $5 million Series D-3 investment from backers like ARCH Venture Partners, Samsung Venture Investment, and Lux Capital. Following an assignment for the benefit of creditors, the entity's assets were acquired in 2016 to form Cambrios Advanced Materials. The organization was originally founded as Semzyme in 2002 by Angela Belcher and Murray Brozinsky.
Cambrios Technologies has raised $42.0M across 4 funding rounds.
Cambrios Technologies has raised $42.0M in total across 4 funding rounds.
Cambrios Technologies is a nanotechnology company specializing in silver nanowire-based transparent conductor materials, primarily its ClearOhm® product, which offers superior optical and electrical performance compared to traditional indium tin oxide (ITO) alternatives.[1][2][3] It serves manufacturers of electronics such as touch screens, EMI shielding, LCDs, ePaper, OLED lighting, and thin-film photovoltaics, solving problems of high manufacturing costs, complexity, and suboptimal performance in transparent conductive films.[1][2][3] The company has raised $52 million in funding across six rounds but faced financial challenges, including liquidation in 2016 followed by revival as Cambrios Advanced Materials, with current revenue around $6.2 million and about 57 employees.[2][3] Post-restructuring, operations shifted primarily to Taiwan (headquartered there as Cambrios Film Solutions Corp under TPK Holdings since 2016), with R&D in Sunnyvale, California, and sales/production in China and Japan.[1][2]
Cambrios Technologies was founded in 2002 in Sunnyvale, California, focusing on silver nanowire technology for transparent electrodes in consumer electronics.[3] The core idea emerged from nanotechnology innovations to replace ITO with a wet-processable coating (ClearOhm®) that enables simpler, lower-cost production of conductive films for displays and photovoltaics.[1][3] Early milestones included collaborations like with Plextronics on OLED lighting electrodes and a $5 million investment from Samsung in 2012, building traction in touch panels and solar applications.[3] A pivotal moment came in February 2016 when the company faced liquidation amid financial struggles but was revived as Cambrios Advanced Materials; by late 2021, it had restructured under TPK Holdings, shifting headquarters to Taiwan with global subsidiaries.[1][3]
Cambrios rides the trend toward flexible, high-performance displays and electronics, driven by demand for OLEDs, foldable devices, wearables, and next-gen photovoltaics where ITO falls short due to brittleness and cost.[1][3] Timing aligns with the shift to nanotechnology-enabled materials amid supply chain disruptions for rare-earth-dependent ITO and growth in printed/flexible electronics markets.[1] Market forces like rising electronics production in Asia (e.g., Taiwan/China hubs) favor its restructured footprint under TPK Holdings, a major touch-tech player.[1] It influences the ecosystem by enabling simpler manufacturing for partners in sensors, lighting, and IoT, contributing to advancements in stretchable electronics and energy-efficient displays.[1][3]
Cambrios is positioned for growth in nanowire conductors as ITO alternatives, with potential expansion into emerging areas like 6G antennas, AR/VR optics, and sustainable PV amid global pushes for flexible tech.[1] Key trends shaping its path include Asia-led electronics manufacturing booms and nanotechnology scaling, potentially boosting revenue beyond $6M if TPK integration deepens supply into touch/OLED supply chains.[1][2] Influence may evolve toward full absorption by TPK, amplifying impact in consumer devices while leveraging U.S. R&D for next-gen innovations—watch for partnerships in quantum displays or EV interfaces to sustain momentum from its resilient revival.[1][3] This nanotechnology pioneer exemplifies how material breakthroughs can redefine electronics accessibility.
Cambrios Technologies has raised $42.0M across 4 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $10.0M Other Equity in June 2014.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 3, 2014 | $10M Venture Round | Michael P. | — | Announced |
| Jan 31, 2012 | $5M Series D | Dong SU KIM | — | Announced |
| Oct 1, 2009 | $15M Series D | — | Waverley Capital, Alexandria Venture Investments, Alloy Ventures, Altitude Life Science Ventures, ARCH Venture Partners, Avalon Ventures, Michael Knapp, Chisso Corporation, Harris & Harris Group, Headland Ventures, IN Q TEL, Kidron Capital Assets, LUX Capital, Mitsubishi UFJ Capital, Nissha Printing, Oxford Bioscience Partners, Presidio Ventures, Sumitomo Corporation | Announced |
| Jan 1, 2005 | $12M Series B | — | Waverley Capital | Announced |
Cambrios Technologies has raised $42.0M in total across 4 funding rounds.
Cambrios Technologies's investors include Michael P., Dong-Su Kim, Waverley Capital, Alexandria Venture Investments, Alloy Ventures, Altitude Life Science Ventures, ARCH Venture Partners, Avalon Ventures, Michael Knapp, Chisso Corporation, Harris & Harris Group, Headland Ventures.