MKSEMI is a technology company.
MKSEMI has raised $13.0M across 1 funding round.
MKSEMI has raised $13.0M in total across 1 funding round.
MKSEMI (Mauna Kea Semiconductors) is a semiconductor company founded in 2019 that develops ultra-wideband (UWB) system-on-chip products, including chips and modules, for high-precision location and direction-finding applications.[1][2][3][5] It serves OEMs and ODMs in smartphones, wearables, IoT devices, geotags, trackers, and automotive markets by solving integration challenges with its world's lowest-power UWB solutions in the 40nm technology range, covering the 3-9GHz spectrum for global compatibility and enabling battery life up to a year without maintenance.[2][3][4][5] With $12.8M in funding from investors like OPPO, Lightspeed Ventures, and MediaTek Ventures, and over 60 employees across offices in Silicon Valley, Shanghai, Beijing, and Shenzhen, MKSEMI demonstrates rapid growth in the high-performance, ultra-low-power design space.[1][2][4]
MKSEMI was founded in 2019 by serial Silicon Valley entrepreneur Dr. Yifeng Zhang, alongside experienced semiconductor veterans Mr. Vasanth Gaddam and Dr. Allen Li.[1][4] Drawing from 20 years of UWB expertise dating back to Philips Semiconductor's first-generation chipsets, the team identified pain points from prior customer engagements, such as difficulties integrating discrete UWB solutions into IoT devices.[1][4] This insight drove the creation of highly integrated, low-power chips, leading to early traction through a customer-engagement model that incorporates feedback to refine hardware and software, backed by tier-one investors and FiRa Consortium membership.[1][4]
MKSEMI rides the surging demand for precise spatial positioning in the expanding UWB ecosystem, fueled by FiRa Consortium standards and adoption in smartphones (e.g., Apple, Samsung), automotive keyless entry, and industrial IoT.[1][2][3] Timing is ideal amid market forces like 5G proliferation, edge AI, and contactless tracking needs post-pandemic, where UWB's centimeter-level accuracy trumps Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.[3][4][5] By enabling energy-efficient, globally compliant solutions, MKSEMI influences the ecosystem through OEM partnerships, accelerating UWB maturity and challenging incumbents with cost-effective alternatives.[4]
MKSEMI is poised for accelerated growth as UWB becomes standard in consumer electronics and smart cities, with its power efficiency and integration edge driving broader adoption in AR/VR, robotics, and asset tracking.[2][4][5] Trends like AI-enhanced positioning and regulatory pushes for spectrum access will shape its trajectory, potentially expanding via strategic OEM deals or acquisitions. Its influence could evolve from niche innovator to UWB market leader, amplifying the precision tech revolution that began with its founders' vision.[1][4]
MKSEMI has raised $13.0M in total across 1 funding round.
MKSEMI's investors include Gaorong Capital, Lightspeed China Partners.
MKSEMI has raised $13.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $13.0M Series A in January 2022.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1, 2022 | $13.0M Series A | Gaorong Capital, Lightspeed China Partners |