Syntiant Completes Acquisition of Knowles' Consumer MEMS Microphone Division

Acquisition Details - Syntiant Corp completed the acquisition of Knowles Corporation's Consumer MEMS Microphones (CMM) business for $150 million in cash and stock [4] - The acquisition was financed through equity funding led by Khazanah Nasional Berhad and Boardman Bay Capital Management, with debt financing arranged by Structural Capital [3] Financial Performance - Knowles' CMM division generated revenue of approximately$256 million in 2023 [3][8] Strategic Impact - The acquisition positions Syntiant as a leader in the multibillion-dollar MEMS microphone market, combining cutting-edge sensors, processors, and high-performance machine learning models [1] - Syntiant aims to accelerate the development of next-generation solutions for autonomous vehicles, smart home devices, and industrial automation [1] - The integration of Knowles' CMM business enhances Syntiant's product portfolio, supporting new audio applications in consumer and industrial markets [8] Technological Advancements - Syntiant has deployed more than 50 million Neural Decision Processors (NDPs) and deep learning models worldwide, delivering ultra-low-power AI in edge devices [9] - The integration of advanced MEMS sensors into Syntiant's existing hardware-software capabilities provides customers with a total edge AI audio solution [9] Investor and Partner Support - Boardman Bay Capital Management expressed deep confidence in Syntiant's ability to drive the future of edge AI [2] - Khazanah Nasional Berhad supports Syntiant's vision for the growth of Malaysia's semiconductor ecosystem, aligning with its goal of fostering technological advancements in the region [10] - Structural Capital believes the deal will accelerate Syntiant's growth and strengthen its market presence [19] Company Background - Syntiant Corp, founded in 2017 and headquartered in Irvine, Calif, is a leader in delivering hardware and software solutions for edge AI deployment [15] - Knowles' CMM business designs and manufactures MEMS microphones, known as SiSonicTM, for voice control communications and superior audio recording across various market segments [16] Industry Context - The acquisition reflects the rising demand for chips in emerging technologies like AI and the shifting global supply chain, creating opportunities for Malaysia to advance in the semiconductor and advanced manufacturing value chain [10]