The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency established in 1950 and based in Alexandria, Virginia. It is dedicated to supporting research and education in science and engineering across a wide range of disciplines. The NSF provides significant non-dilutive funding, up to $1.5 million, to startups and small businesses through its America's Seed Fund initiative, which is part of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program mandated by Congress. With an operating budget of approximately $7.8 billion, the NSF is committed to advancing fundamental research and education, thus fostering innovation and technological development in the United States.
Beamlink is a social enterprise dedicated to providing Internet access to individuals in disaster zones and remote areas with limited connectivity. The company has developed portable cell towers that can function off the grid and be deployed in a variety of environments. Utilizing software-defined radio technology and a mesh backhaul, these briefcase-sized towers can operate on any frequency, ensuring reliable Internet service even in the most challenging conditions. By focusing on last-mile populations, Beamlink aims to bridge the digital divide and enhance communication capabilities in underserved regions.
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
Grant in 2022
North Carolina A&T State University is so many things to so many people, both in our state and around the country. North Carolina A&T State University is an HBCU. We are a top-flight research university, the largest historically black university (HBCU) in the country, the #1 producer of degrees awarded to African Americans in North Carolina and nationally recognized or our excellence in science, technology, mathematics and engineering (STEM) education. We are a diverse community, bound by intense pride and tradition, with fiercely loyal alumni who hold positions of importance and influence in companies and government agencies across the state, the country and the world. We are achievers, driven by a curious, limitless, fearless spirit that fuels discovery and innovation, resulting in 41 patents issued based on our research, as well as numerous spin-off and start-up companies. We are inclusive and welcoming, with students from many backgrounds and cultures, every part of our state, our nation and countries around the globe. We are passionate, driven by a desire to do more, be more and make more of a difference. Since we opened our doors in 1892, we have focused on giving every student the hands-on opportunities, core knowledge and global perspective that will lead them to make real and lasting change in their lives and the lives of others. At N.C. A&T, we have so much to be proud of, and you can learn more about those "Points of Pride" here. You can also use the links below to learn more about what makes N.C. A&T unique, from our leadership and history to our many rankings and recognitions.
Beamlink
Grant in 2022
Beamlink is a social enterprise dedicated to providing Internet access to individuals in disaster zones and remote areas with limited connectivity. The company has developed portable cell towers that can function off the grid and be deployed in a variety of environments. Utilizing software-defined radio technology and a mesh backhaul, these briefcase-sized towers can operate on any frequency, ensuring reliable Internet service even in the most challenging conditions. By focusing on last-mile populations, Beamlink aims to bridge the digital divide and enhance communication capabilities in underserved regions.
SkyGig
Grant in 2022
SkyGig is a communication technology company based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, that specializes in millimeter-wave wireless communications. The company focuses on improving wireless communication through its innovative beamforming technology, which aims to make wireless broadband communication scalable and cost-effective. By providing seamless broadband connectivity, SkyGig enables both businesses and individuals to access high-speed data transmission capabilities, overcoming the limitations of traditional infrastructure.
PHYTunes
Grant in 2022
PHYTunes, based in Palo Alto, California, addresses mobility challenges and handover interruptions for various applications, including robotics, automated mobile robots, automated guided vehicles, VoIP, and mobile real-time video. The company has developed a patented technology that creates a Single Frequency Wi-Fi Network capable of covering spaces up to 100,000 square feet, offering deployment at a significantly lower cost compared to traditional WLAN providers. Additionally, PHYTunes is working on a converged Wi-Fi and mid-band 5G solution for private networks, allowing for the simultaneous distribution of both network types across multiple carriers. This innovative approach utilizes existing wire-line infrastructure, such as telephone lines and fiber-optic cables, to enhance the coverage of high-frequency mobile systems, thus enabling cellular network providers and businesses to improve connectivity for their customers.
Voltela
Grant in 2021
Voltela specializes in connectivity assurance for commercial drones, facilitating their operation beyond visual line of sight. The company develops communication technologies and scalable platforms that ensure guaranteed connectivity for autonomous vehicles. By utilizing a patent-pending system that transmits data through voice channels in mobile networks, Voltela offers prioritized links with low latency. This innovation enables drone operators to navigate safely while relying on existing communication services, thereby supporting the growth and scalability of the drone industry.
Distributed Spectrum
Grant in 2021
Founded in 2020, Distributed Spectrum is a defense technology company that specializes in signal processing, machine learning, and embedded systems. The company develops software and sensors designed to enhance understanding of critical radio signals for various missions. Its spectrum monitoring systems provide essential situational awareness and actionable alerts, offering capabilities such as passive signature detection and signal analysis. These products enable users to comprehend the radio spectrum in their vicinity and effectively identify and track signals across diverse environments.
Cambrian Works
Grant in 2021
Cambrian Works is a space technology development firm focused on enhancing fault-tolerant space communications networks. The company specializes in creating both hardware and software solutions designed to serve as a network provider for Earth and lunar constellation networks. Its offerings include network management tools that can function as standalone software or be integrated into the GigRouter, which facilitates connectivity and routing within spacecraft. Cambrian Works aims to provide clients with flexible connectivity options, enabling them to quickly establish low-latency and secure networks for effective communication with bus processors and crosslink and downlink terminals.
Subsea Data Systems
Grant in 2021
Subsea Data Systems offers operations and data management solutions for a broad customer base of telecommunications providers. They also provide products for submarine fibre optic network development and deployment, the federal government, and academic research and development.
Iris Light Technologies
Grant in 2021
Iris Light Technologies is an electronics company that focuses on advancing the cloud through innovative on-chip laser technology. It specializes in artificial intelligence, 5G communications, and the Internet of Things (IoT). The company has developed a proprietary and scalable method to deposit multiple lasers onto a single chip, enhancing the bandwidth and energy efficiency of light chips. This technology supports applications in optical communications, optical sensors, and various emerging areas, including IoT sensors, positioning Iris Light Technologies as a key player in the rapidly growing silicon photonics market.
TFWireless
Grant in 2021
TFWireless develops transformative wireless communications technology that provides performance enhancements and dramatic cost savings, offering key benefits in terms of latency, processing speeds, and power or energy consumption.
Lucata
Grant in 2021
Lucata Corporation specializes in developing advanced hardware and software technology to enhance memory utilization for various industries. Founded in 2008 and headquartered in New York, with additional offices in South Bend, Indiana, and Palo Alto, Lucata produces motherboards, node cards, and memory servers designed for high-performance analytics. The company employs patented migrating thread technology to enable organizations to perform extensive multi-hop analytics and graph analysis on massive databases, facilitating insights from complex data structures with up to one trillion vertices. Lucata's solutions cater to sectors such as financial services, cybersecurity, healthcare, and telecommunications, allowing users to leverage existing graph database software for deeper analysis without the need for extensive software layers. The company's architecture is energy-efficient, supports linear performance scaling, and significantly reduces latency, making it a powerful option for organizations tackling big data challenges.
NLM Photonics
Grant in 2021
NLM Photonics is a semiconductor technology company focused on developing advanced electro-optic modulation technology aimed at enhancing networking, computing, and sensing applications. Originating from over two decades of research at the University of Washington, the company's patented Hybrid Organic Electro-Optic (OEO) Technology facilitates efficient data transfer between electronic components and photonics, which is crucial for applications like fiber optics and LIDAR. This technology addresses the power and bandwidth limitations of existing silicon photonics platforms by enabling low-voltage, low-power integration that can be retrofitted into existing manufacturing processes with minimal disruption. NLM's solutions provide significant improvements in power efficiency and scalable bandwidth, making them attractive to hyperscale data center operators and commercial fabs. The company's growth is supported by strategic partnerships with major industry players, enhancing its position in the rapidly evolving photonics landscape.
Avicena Tech
Grant in 2021
Avicena Tech manufactures ultra-dense, ultra-low power petabit per second optical chip interconnects. It has been known for decades that optical interconnects have the potential to provide significant benefits even at lengths down to 1 millimeter and below. Silicon photonics, plasmonics, and other high-volume commercial technologies have reached a tipping point where they can be used to address critical chip-to-chip interconnect needs. Avicena’s ultra-dense, low-latency, low-cost, low-power optical interconnects revolutionize inter-chip communications and vastly improve the performance of systems that are hampered by legacy chip-to-chip interconnects.
US Air Tech
Grant in 2020
US Air Tech, based in Tucson, Arizona, specializes in the development of advanced satellite communication technologies, particularly a low-cost ground terminal and satellite module. The company has created an innovative satellite communication antenna that addresses critical challenges in satellite communication, such as high data volume throughput, data rate speed demands, and signal degradation due to atmospheric conditions. This antenna is protected by intellectual property rights and is designed to provide users with low noise signals, thereby enhancing the quality and reliability of satellite communications.
Nanomatronix
Grant in 2020
Nanomatronix operates an engineering platform that specializes in biotechnology, microelectronics, and nanotechnology. The company provides solutions tailored for the healthcare, energy, and defense sectors by facilitating the design, prototyping, packaging, screening, qualification, and production of application-specific integrated circuits, hybrid microcircuits, and fiber optic networking transceivers. Their focus on advanced technologies enables the transition of innovative biomedical, chemical processing, microelectronics, nanomaterials, and photonics technologies, supporting clients in creating effective products suitable for both standard and harsh environments.
Pi-Radio
Grant in 2020
Pi-Radio is a telecommunications startup that specializes in developing low-power, fully digital transceiver boards, specifically designed for future millimeter-wave radios. The company's primary product is a four-channel transceiver that serves as an essential tool for wireless research engineers. By offering affordable software-defined radio (SDR) systems, Pi-Radio aims to democratize experimental wireless research, allowing engineers to explore advanced wireless technologies. Their products are complemented by free and open-source software implementations, facilitating the development of innovations related to 6G and beyond.
Telling.ai
Grant in 2020
Telling.ai is a telehealth platform focused on assessing lung health through the analysis of voice and breath sounds. By capturing respiratory sounds in real-world settings, the company provides real-time feedback and optimizes data quality to support individuals with chronic lung conditions. Their technology identifies signatures in breath and speech that indicate various medical conditions, including respiratory diseases and infections. Telling.ai aims to assist in the management of care for over 1 billion people suffering from acute or chronic respiratory disorders, enabling timely interventions that can prevent costly hospitalizations and improve overall patient outcomes.
Oncodisc
Grant in 2020
Oncodisc is a Bay Area startup developing a system to improve cancer care through integrating an implantable medical device, remote monitoring, and data analytics.
SkyGig
Grant in 2020
SkyGig is a communication technology company based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, that specializes in millimeter-wave wireless communications. The company focuses on improving wireless communication through its innovative beamforming technology, which aims to make wireless broadband communication scalable and cost-effective. By providing seamless broadband connectivity, SkyGig enables both businesses and individuals to access high-speed data transmission capabilities, overcoming the limitations of traditional infrastructure.
Advent Diamond
Grant in 2020
Advent Diamond specializes in the development and manufacturing of advanced semiconductor materials and components tailored for applications in telecommunications, power, quantum technologies, and sophisticated sensors. The company focuses on producing semiconducting diamond components by utilizing cleanroom processing, lithography, and surface modification techniques. In addition to its core offerings, Advent Diamond is engaged in creating innovative radiation detectors designed for the defense, commercial, and scientific sectors. Through its cutting-edge technology and expertise, the company aims to support various industries by enhancing their capabilities and fostering innovation.
GenXComm
Grant in 2019
GenXComm, Inc. is a technology company based in Austin, Texas, specializing in simultaneous self-interference cancellation (S-SIX) technology for telecommunications carriers. Founded in 2016, GenXComm's S-SIX technology allows for true full duplex communication, enabling simultaneous transmission and reception of signals within the same channel. This innovation is particularly valuable as carriers prepare for 5G deployments to accommodate the growing number of wireless devices and increasing data demands. By maximizing the use of available spectrum, GenXComm's technology significantly enhances network throughput, reduces latency, and improves adaptability and security. Overall, S-SIX serves as a crucial enabling technology for the evolving landscape of connected communications.
Tcarta
Grant in 2019
Tcarta is a provider of seabed mapping and bathymetric data, specializing in maritime applications. Based in Denver, Colorado, the company offers a range of geospatial remote sensing solutions, including hydro spatial products and Earth observation analysis services. Tcarta focuses on delivering Satellite-Derived Bathymetry data for near-shore areas, which facilitates hydrographic surveys for research and government agencies. Their offerings support various applications, such as coastal engineering, environmental monitoring, and global mapping, catering to both inland and offshore environments.
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
Grant in 2019
North Carolina A&T State University is so many things to so many people, both in our state and around the country. North Carolina A&T State University is an HBCU. We are a top-flight research university, the largest historically black university (HBCU) in the country, the #1 producer of degrees awarded to African Americans in North Carolina and nationally recognized or our excellence in science, technology, mathematics and engineering (STEM) education. We are a diverse community, bound by intense pride and tradition, with fiercely loyal alumni who hold positions of importance and influence in companies and government agencies across the state, the country and the world. We are achievers, driven by a curious, limitless, fearless spirit that fuels discovery and innovation, resulting in 41 patents issued based on our research, as well as numerous spin-off and start-up companies. We are inclusive and welcoming, with students from many backgrounds and cultures, every part of our state, our nation and countries around the globe. We are passionate, driven by a desire to do more, be more and make more of a difference. Since we opened our doors in 1892, we have focused on giving every student the hands-on opportunities, core knowledge and global perspective that will lead them to make real and lasting change in their lives and the lives of others. At N.C. A&T, we have so much to be proud of, and you can learn more about those "Points of Pride" here. You can also use the links below to learn more about what makes N.C. A&T unique, from our leadership and history to our many rankings and recognitions.
Eino
Grant in 2019
Eino, Inc. specializes in developing predictive software designed to forecast urban population movements and their associated intents. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in New York, the company utilizes proprietary technology that combines historical data with extensive contextual information, which is processed by an artificial intelligence engine. This innovative approach aids businesses in optimizing resource allocation and operational efficiency, ultimately enhancing customer service and revenue generation. Eino is currently collaborating with three major global operators on proof of concept projects, demonstrating its commitment to improving urban planning and network capacity management through insights derived from big data and advanced analytics.
SkyGig
Grant in 2019
SkyGig is a communication technology company based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, that specializes in millimeter-wave wireless communications. The company focuses on improving wireless communication through its innovative beamforming technology, which aims to make wireless broadband communication scalable and cost-effective. By providing seamless broadband connectivity, SkyGig enables both businesses and individuals to access high-speed data transmission capabilities, overcoming the limitations of traditional infrastructure.
Aligned Carbon
Grant in 2019
Aligned Carbon Inc. is a manufacturer of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) specifically designed for the integrated circuit industry. Founded in 2018 and based in Santa Clara, California, the company is the first to offer semiconductor-pure, aligned CNTs on industry-standard wafers at a manufacturing scale. These CNTs are aligned in arrays that cover full semiconductor substrates and can be purified to serve either semiconducting or metallic functions. Aligned Carbon's technology allows semiconductor foundries to move beyond traditional silicon, leading to significant enhancements in processing speed, energy efficiency, and capabilities in signal processing and sensing. The company's CNTs are also utilized as transistor materials in displays and thin film transistors, providing clients with innovative solutions for advanced computing applications.
MobIQ
Grant in 2019
MobIQ is the 1st mobile device-based network analytics solution for mobile virtual network operators and industrial Internet-of-Things (IoT).
Rurisond
Grant in 2018
Rurisond is an internet technology. Their Internet of Things is not fully developed. Their new perspective on communications technology is necessary to create a pervasive network of connected machines.
eSAT Global
Grant in 2018
eSAT Global, founded in 2017 and based in San Diego, California, specializes in providing direct-to-satellite connectivity solutions for Internet of Things (IoT) devices. The company offers ultra-low power, two-way, and low-latency narrowband services, which do not rely on terrestrial infrastructure or backhaul. This capability ensures global coverage with latency below two seconds, making it applicable across various sectors, including power distribution, oil and gas, smart agriculture, transportation, and maritime industries. By delivering guaranteed transmission, eSAT Global enables its clients to enhance operational efficiency and minimize losses.
Lunewave
Grant in 2018
Lunewave Inc. is a manufacturer based in Tucson, Arizona, specializing in Luneburg lens-based antennas and automotive radar sensor systems. Founded in 2017, the company serves various sectors, including telecommunications, aerospace and defense, automotive, and specialized research. Lunewave develops advanced, three-dimensional printed Luneburg lens antennas and radar systems tailored for applications in autonomous driving, wireless communications, and drone technology. Its products feature custom-made antennas available in various sizes and operating frequencies, designed to meet specific customer needs. The sensors are characterized by their compact, robust design, offering high resolution, all-directional fields of view, and long detection ranges.
Advent Diamond
Grant in 2018
Advent Diamond specializes in the development and manufacturing of advanced semiconductor materials and components tailored for applications in telecommunications, power, quantum technologies, and sophisticated sensors. The company focuses on producing semiconducting diamond components by utilizing cleanroom processing, lithography, and surface modification techniques. In addition to its core offerings, Advent Diamond is engaged in creating innovative radiation detectors designed for the defense, commercial, and scientific sectors. Through its cutting-edge technology and expertise, the company aims to support various industries by enhancing their capabilities and fostering innovation.
Swarm Technologies
Grant in 2018
Swarm Technologies, Inc. is a satellite company based in Los Altos, California, founded in 2015. The company specializes in providing accessible global connectivity through its low Earth orbit satellites, which facilitate affordable Internet services worldwide. Swarm's technology is applicable across various sectors, including agriculture, energy, transportation, global development, shipping and maritime, and the automobile industry. By focusing on cost-effective satellite communication, Swarm aims to bridge connectivity gaps in underserved regions and enhance operational efficiency across its diverse applications.
i5 Technologies
Grant in 2018
i5 Technology designs and develops smart antenna systems for next generation wireless communications platforms. The company’s innovative multi-functional reconfigurable antenna (MRA) technology overcomes the challenges of legacy systems and delivers significant performance gains with reduced cost and space efficiency. MRAs are capable of dynamically adapting frequency, radiation pattern and polarization based on the requirements of the environment and the communication network.
Astrapi
Grant in 2017
Astrapi Corporation specializes in the design and implementation of spiral-based signal modulation communication systems. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Dallas, Texas, the company offers engineering services that include spiral-based waveform design, simulation modeling, and support for integrating spiral signals into user system designs. Astrapi also engages in intellectual property licensing, research and development, and commercial licensing services. Their innovative signal modulation technology, based on complex spirals, has shown significant performance improvements over traditional circle-based methods, with advantages demonstrated through mathematical analysis and software simulations that incorporate various noise factors and band-limiting techniques.
Lextrum
Grant in 2017
Lextrum, Inc. is a communications technology company founded in 2015 and headquartered in Irvine, California. It operates as a subsidiary of Transform-X, Inc. since August 2017. The company specializes in full-duplex and reconfigurable-antenna technologies, which enhance the efficiency and reliability of wireless networks. Lextrum's innovative transceiver allows communication devices to simultaneously listen and broadcast on the same frequency, effectively doubling spectrum utilization. This advancement enables businesses to achieve faster wireless networks, higher data rates, and improved coverage.
Multicore Photonics
Grant in 2017
Multicore Photonics is focused on the design and packaging of advanced fiber optic sensors and instrumentation utilizing MCF fiber technology, originally developed at the University of Central Florida’s College of Optics and Photonics. The company's sensors are capable of measuring temperature, pressure, chemical properties, flow, and structural conditions at temperatures exceeding 1000 degrees Celsius. These capabilities enable industries to monitor and control their assets effectively, facilitating improved asset performance monitoring. By utilizing Multicore Photonics' technologies, companies can enhance their asset management strategies, reduce lifecycle costs, and achieve a competitive edge through methods such as Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) and Condition Based Maintenance (CBM). The focus on real-time information and comprehensive visibility into asset conditions supports the optimization of operations, maintenance, and corporate goals, ultimately contributing to increased profitability and enhanced asset performance.
Lunewave
Grant in 2016
Lunewave Inc. is a manufacturer based in Tucson, Arizona, specializing in Luneburg lens-based antennas and automotive radar sensor systems. Founded in 2017, the company serves various sectors, including telecommunications, aerospace and defense, automotive, and specialized research. Lunewave develops advanced, three-dimensional printed Luneburg lens antennas and radar systems tailored for applications in autonomous driving, wireless communications, and drone technology. Its products feature custom-made antennas available in various sizes and operating frequencies, designed to meet specific customer needs. The sensors are characterized by their compact, robust design, offering high resolution, all-directional fields of view, and long detection ranges.
Yobe
Grant in 2016
Yobe, Inc. is a software company specializing in artificial intelligence-driven algorithmic solutions for advanced audio manipulation. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, Yobe develops a downloadable SaaS application that enhances signal processing for speech and multimedia content. Its technology identifies and categorizes audio signals across various platforms, including telecommunications, VoIP, gaming, and streaming media. The company's innovative approach utilizes AI to enhance the clarity of individual voices in noisy environments, improving the listening experience and facilitating more accurate speaker identification. This capability also significantly boosts the performance of automatic speech recognition systems, enabling businesses to deliver sophisticated voice interactions in challenging acoustic settings.
K&A Wireless
Grant in 2016
K&A is continuing its development of an innovative wireless spectrum intelligence technology in support of next-generation Internet of Things/Everything (IoT-IoE) applications. This will improve spectrum utilization and surety of data in the presence of many other connected users and devices. Market focus is IoT-IoE pollution mitigation in the transportation and smart city segments. McKinsey estimates smart city IoT will have an economic impact of $0.9T to $1.7T (trillion) by 2025. Utilization of spectrum intelligence as part of the IoT-IoE infrastructure improves not only the performance and reliability of the entire system, but also creates a new Natural EcoSystem™ that is unattainable without it. The combined efforts will identify polluting vehicles, create new revenue streams, support regulations and improved driver behavior, provide operational efficiencies, contribute to cleaner air and lower healthcare costs, and enable a better quality of life. K&A’s commercialization partner is SensorComm Technologies, Inc. who is mass-customizing a state-of-the-art NOx emission sensor. SensorComm has engaged K&A to develop the wireless IoT-IoE infrastructure for the NOx sensor, which focuses on smart monitoring of NOx emissions from the exhaust pipe of a vehicle as part of an air quality monitoring system. Active pilot programs are in place in the U.S. with additional pilots being implemented globally. K&A provided foundational IoT/IoE development. Sensor development was originally funded through DoE grants (including SBIR) to, and licensed from, both The University of Florida and The Ohio State University. The SensorComm and K&A team have a combined patent portfolio of eight (8) issued patents (worldwide), two (2) applications and two (2) provisional patents filed, including one related to creating incentive structures for pollution mitigation.
RF Pixels
Series A in 2016
RF Pixels, Inc. is a venture-backed company based in Silicon Valley that focuses on developing technology for the fifth generation of wireless cellular communications, commonly known as 5G. Founded by a team associated with the UC Berkeley Wireless Research Center, RF Pixels specializes in innovative phased-array radio technology. This technology offers unprecedented capacity and economics for the new 5G millimeter-wave frequency bands, facilitating robust high-speed connections for users while providing a solid business foundation for service providers. The company aims to enhance the next generation of wireless communications, allowing for advanced connectivity and communication capabilities.
i5 Technologies
Grant in 2016
i5 Technology designs and develops smart antenna systems for next generation wireless communications platforms. The company’s innovative multi-functional reconfigurable antenna (MRA) technology overcomes the challenges of legacy systems and delivers significant performance gains with reduced cost and space efficiency. MRAs are capable of dynamically adapting frequency, radiation pattern and polarization based on the requirements of the environment and the communication network.
OceanComm
Grant in 2016
OceanComm, Inc. is an Illinois-based company that specializes in developing wireless underwater modems. Founded in 2014 and located in Champaign, the company focuses on enabling wireless communication and video streaming underwater. Its modems utilize advanced signal processing algorithms to optimize the use of available acoustic bandwidth, ensuring reliable and uninterrupted video links even as the modems move through water. This technology serves the subsea industries by providing innovative solutions for wireless remote control of underwater vehicles and facilitating efficient video transmission underwater.
Mode
Grant in 2016
Mode operates a high-performance software-defined core network (SD-CORE) that utilizes a breakthrough in real-time network control. Co-founded by two Cornell computer scientists known for their contributions to packet-switched networks, Mode has developed a mathematically optimal routing system called Mode HALO. The company's core technology supports various applications, including SD-WAN, cloud access, unified communications, and ultra-low latency services. Mode Core is designed to enhance enterprise wide area networks (WANs) by providing reliable, quality of service (QoS) connectivity, combined with cloud elasticity and competitive pricing. Based in San Francisco, Mode has received backing from prominent investors, including Google Ventures, NEA, and the National Science Foundation, and has been acquired by VMware.
Kuma Signals
Grant in 2016
Kuma Signals is transitioning communications research into commercial products for the government. They involve in signal processing, digital communication, navigation, and software radio. They offer services for organizations with engineering hurdles in their product development. These services range from development and theoretical analysis to embedded implementation of wireless communications protocols and algorithms.
Multicore Photonics
Grant in 2015
Multicore Photonics is focused on the design and packaging of advanced fiber optic sensors and instrumentation utilizing MCF fiber technology, originally developed at the University of Central Florida’s College of Optics and Photonics. The company's sensors are capable of measuring temperature, pressure, chemical properties, flow, and structural conditions at temperatures exceeding 1000 degrees Celsius. These capabilities enable industries to monitor and control their assets effectively, facilitating improved asset performance monitoring. By utilizing Multicore Photonics' technologies, companies can enhance their asset management strategies, reduce lifecycle costs, and achieve a competitive edge through methods such as Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) and Condition Based Maintenance (CBM). The focus on real-time information and comprehensive visibility into asset conditions supports the optimization of operations, maintenance, and corporate goals, ultimately contributing to increased profitability and enhanced asset performance.
Ayar Labs
Grant in 2015
Ayar Labs, Inc. specializes in the development of optical interconnect technology, focusing on high-density electronic-photonic chiplets and lasers designed to enhance data transmission capabilities. Its flagship product, TeraPHY, is a monolithic in-package optical I/O solution that enables high bandwidth, low latency, and power-efficient short-reach interconnects, making it suitable for applications in artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, cloud computing, telecommunications, and aerospace. The company's innovative approach leverages industry-standard silicon processing techniques to create optical interconnect chiplets that replace traditional electrical-based I/O, addressing performance and efficiency challenges in the semiconductor and computing industries. By optimizing data movement within AI systems, Ayar Labs aims to alleviate compute and bandwidth bottlenecks associated with complex large language models, thereby maximizing computational efficiency while minimizing costs and power consumption. Established in 2015 and headquartered in Emeryville, California, Ayar Labs also has an office in Santa Clara, California.
VLNcomm
Grant in 2015
VLNComm is a leading company in Visible Light Communication (VLC) or so called Li-Fi technology, which is an alternative data communication technique for wireless applications that uses optical energy to provide illumination and data transmission at the same time.
NeuroFieldz
Grant in 2015
NeuroFieldz focuses on designing and developing advanced brain monitoring devices aimed at detecting brain cancer, tumors, and related cerebral disorders. The company has created a wireless sensor system that measures brain activity using a powerful neuromonitoring technique. This innovative product integrates a virtual reality headset with an onboard smartphone, allowing for the presentation of custom visual stimulus patterns. By providing portable testing for neuro-visual disorders based on visually evoked potentials, NeuroFieldz enhances the diagnostic capabilities of medical professionals. The device not only streamlines testing and reduces setup times but also opens new revenue opportunities, thereby helping to expand existing clinic-based practices.
Hadron Technologies
Grant in 2015
Hadron is a telecommunications company.
K&A Wireless
Grant in 2015
K&A is continuing its development of an innovative wireless spectrum intelligence technology in support of next-generation Internet of Things/Everything (IoT-IoE) applications. This will improve spectrum utilization and surety of data in the presence of many other connected users and devices. Market focus is IoT-IoE pollution mitigation in the transportation and smart city segments. McKinsey estimates smart city IoT will have an economic impact of $0.9T to $1.7T (trillion) by 2025. Utilization of spectrum intelligence as part of the IoT-IoE infrastructure improves not only the performance and reliability of the entire system, but also creates a new Natural EcoSystem™ that is unattainable without it. The combined efforts will identify polluting vehicles, create new revenue streams, support regulations and improved driver behavior, provide operational efficiencies, contribute to cleaner air and lower healthcare costs, and enable a better quality of life. K&A’s commercialization partner is SensorComm Technologies, Inc. who is mass-customizing a state-of-the-art NOx emission sensor. SensorComm has engaged K&A to develop the wireless IoT-IoE infrastructure for the NOx sensor, which focuses on smart monitoring of NOx emissions from the exhaust pipe of a vehicle as part of an air quality monitoring system. Active pilot programs are in place in the U.S. with additional pilots being implemented globally. K&A provided foundational IoT/IoE development. Sensor development was originally funded through DoE grants (including SBIR) to, and licensed from, both The University of Florida and The Ohio State University. The SensorComm and K&A team have a combined patent portfolio of eight (8) issued patents (worldwide), two (2) applications and two (2) provisional patents filed, including one related to creating incentive structures for pollution mitigation.
Mode
Grant in 2014
Mode operates a high-performance software-defined core network (SD-CORE) that utilizes a breakthrough in real-time network control. Co-founded by two Cornell computer scientists known for their contributions to packet-switched networks, Mode has developed a mathematically optimal routing system called Mode HALO. The company's core technology supports various applications, including SD-WAN, cloud access, unified communications, and ultra-low latency services. Mode Core is designed to enhance enterprise wide area networks (WANs) by providing reliable, quality of service (QoS) connectivity, combined with cloud elasticity and competitive pricing. Based in San Francisco, Mode has received backing from prominent investors, including Google Ventures, NEA, and the National Science Foundation, and has been acquired by VMware.
OceanComm
Grant in 2014
OceanComm, Inc. is an Illinois-based company that specializes in developing wireless underwater modems. Founded in 2014 and located in Champaign, the company focuses on enabling wireless communication and video streaming underwater. Its modems utilize advanced signal processing algorithms to optimize the use of available acoustic bandwidth, ensuring reliable and uninterrupted video links even as the modems move through water. This technology serves the subsea industries by providing innovative solutions for wireless remote control of underwater vehicles and facilitating efficient video transmission underwater.
Seamless Microsystems
Grant in 2014
Seamless Microsystems, Inc. is a semiconductor company based in Fremont, California, established in 2017. The firm specializes in the design and manufacturing of patented Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADCs), with an initial focus on markets such as medical imaging and 4G/WiFi. Utilizing silicon-proven devices from TSMC’s 28nm HPM process, Seamless Microsystems is advancing its next generation of products to meet the high bandwidth needs of emerging technologies, including LIDAR, 5G wireless, and G.fast communication systems. The company's continuous-time sigma-delta ADCs are designed to reduce system costs by relaxing anti-aliasing requirements and lowering power consumption due to their resistive input architecture. Furthermore, these ADCs are engineered to tolerate high levels of clock jitter, allowing for the use of more economical phase-locked loops (PLLs) in clock generation, making them suitable for a diverse range of applications, from consumer electronics to autonomous driving.
Spectrum Magnetics
Grant in 2014
Spectrum Magnetics provides materials, devices, and component solutions for high-frequency applications. It also develops soft magnetic nanocomposites and polymeric magnetodielectric materials, including RF polymers, metamaterials, metaferrites, and artificial ferrites. They provide solutions for miniaturised antennas in different frequency ranges and EM shielding and absorption.
Partow Technologies
Grant in 2014
Partow Technologies develops photonics and electronic technologies for communication and sensing applications. The company was founded in 2012 and is headquartered in Vista, California.
OEpic
Grant in 2014
OEpic is a company based in Sunnyvale, California, that specializes in the design, manufacturing, and marketing of optoelectronic integrated circuits (OEICs). These circuits integrate optical components and electronics essential for communication systems. Established in 2000, OEpic offers chipsets that support data rates of 10 Gbps and 40 Gbps. In addition to OEICs, the company manufactures semicustom lasers, photodetectors, and filters, which are used in various communications and sensing applications. OEpic also provides comprehensive services including wafer processing, packaging, testing, and foundry services to support its customers.
netBlazr
Grant in 2014
netBlazr provides affordable, high-speed internet to residences and businesses as an alternative to the "big guys" that force people into high-cost service bundles for things they don't want. It was incorporated in 2010 and is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts.
Physical Devices
Grant in 2014
Physical Devices is a company specializing in the development of radiofrequency (RF) technology for smartphones. The firm focuses on creating wireless RF solutions that enhance smartphone capabilities, specifically tuning devices from white space to Wi-Fi. One of its key innovations involves protecting GPS and other RF signals from severe wideband interference. Additionally, Physical Devices develops RF filters that enable ultra-wideband tuning, ensuring precise navigation and localization for users. The company's work aims to advance the reliability and performance of smartphone navigation systems in increasingly complex RF environments.
S2 Corporation
Grant in 2013
S2 Corporation specializes in the development of advanced wideband sensors that enhance radio frequency and data signal processing capabilities. The company utilizes cutting-edge photonic spatial-spectral holographic technology to provide clients with comprehensive RF spectral awareness and adaptability. Its flagship system, the extreme bandwidth analyzer and correlator (ebac), supports a range of applications including electronic warfare, signal intelligence, analog signal processing, continuous RF spectral monitoring, geo-location of transmitters, and adaptive RF communications. Currently, the system processes radio frequencies from 0.5 to 20 GHz, with the flexibility to be configured for extended ranges up to 40 GHz or even 110 GHz. S2 Corporation is committed to innovation, aiming to redefine spectrum analysis with its state-of-the-art solutions.
Cloudflare
Grant in 2013
Cloudflare, Inc. is a San Francisco-based software company that specializes in web performance and security services for businesses globally. It operates a cloud platform that integrates various network services, including security solutions such as Cloud Firewall, Bot Management, and Distributed Denial of Service protection. The company enhances website performance through its Content Delivery Network (CDN) and intelligent routing, while also providing optimization tools for content and images. Furthermore, Cloudflare offers reliability solutions like Load Balancing and DNS services, alongside security features aimed at protecting internal resources through Zero Trust Security and Secure Web Gateway. Its consumer offerings include a DNS resolver and a virtual private network (VPN) designed to secure mobile traffic. Cloudflare serves diverse industries, including technology, healthcare, financial services, and government, and was founded in 2009.
Pindrop
Grant in 2013
Pindrop specializes in providing advanced phone fraud detection and call center authentication technology, aimed at enhancing security and trust in voice interactions. By analyzing call audio, Pindrop's solutions can locate and authenticate phone devices, effectively identifying fraudulent calls and verifying legitimate ones through a comprehensive risk database. This technology enables enterprises to streamline call center operations, reduce call times, and improve customer experiences while minimizing fraud losses. As businesses increasingly rely on voice-driven interactions, Pindrop is committed to unlocking the value of these exchanges, ensuring that both enterprises and consumers can engage securely and confidently.
netBlazr
Grant in 2012
netBlazr provides affordable, high-speed internet to residences and businesses as an alternative to the "big guys" that force people into high-cost service bundles for things they don't want. It was incorporated in 2010 and is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts.
Morton Photonics
Grant in 2012
Morton Photonics is a manufacturer of advanced photonic components and subsystems, focusing on technologies for microwave photonics and sensing systems. The company is dedicated to applications in future datacenter, datacom, and optical fiber communications systems. Specializing in photonic integration on the silicon photonics platform, Morton Photonics leverages CMOS foundry capabilities to produce photonic integrated circuit (PIC) devices. This expertise enables businesses and prime contractors to effectively transition device and PIC technologies to both Department of Defense and commercial platforms.
S2 Corporation
Grant in 2012
S2 Corporation specializes in the development of advanced wideband sensors that enhance radio frequency and data signal processing capabilities. The company utilizes cutting-edge photonic spatial-spectral holographic technology to provide clients with comprehensive RF spectral awareness and adaptability. Its flagship system, the extreme bandwidth analyzer and correlator (ebac), supports a range of applications including electronic warfare, signal intelligence, analog signal processing, continuous RF spectral monitoring, geo-location of transmitters, and adaptive RF communications. Currently, the system processes radio frequencies from 0.5 to 20 GHz, with the flexibility to be configured for extended ranges up to 40 GHz or even 110 GHz. S2 Corporation is committed to innovation, aiming to redefine spectrum analysis with its state-of-the-art solutions.
Physical Devices
Grant in 2012
Physical Devices is a company specializing in the development of radiofrequency (RF) technology for smartphones. The firm focuses on creating wireless RF solutions that enhance smartphone capabilities, specifically tuning devices from white space to Wi-Fi. One of its key innovations involves protecting GPS and other RF signals from severe wideband interference. Additionally, Physical Devices develops RF filters that enable ultra-wideband tuning, ensuring precise navigation and localization for users. The company's work aims to advance the reliability and performance of smartphone navigation systems in increasingly complex RF environments.
K&A Wireless
Grant in 2012
K&A is continuing its development of an innovative wireless spectrum intelligence technology in support of next-generation Internet of Things/Everything (IoT-IoE) applications. This will improve spectrum utilization and surety of data in the presence of many other connected users and devices. Market focus is IoT-IoE pollution mitigation in the transportation and smart city segments. McKinsey estimates smart city IoT will have an economic impact of $0.9T to $1.7T (trillion) by 2025. Utilization of spectrum intelligence as part of the IoT-IoE infrastructure improves not only the performance and reliability of the entire system, but also creates a new Natural EcoSystem™ that is unattainable without it. The combined efforts will identify polluting vehicles, create new revenue streams, support regulations and improved driver behavior, provide operational efficiencies, contribute to cleaner air and lower healthcare costs, and enable a better quality of life. K&A’s commercialization partner is SensorComm Technologies, Inc. who is mass-customizing a state-of-the-art NOx emission sensor. SensorComm has engaged K&A to develop the wireless IoT-IoE infrastructure for the NOx sensor, which focuses on smart monitoring of NOx emissions from the exhaust pipe of a vehicle as part of an air quality monitoring system. Active pilot programs are in place in the U.S. with additional pilots being implemented globally. K&A provided foundational IoT/IoE development. Sensor development was originally funded through DoE grants (including SBIR) to, and licensed from, both The University of Florida and The Ohio State University. The SensorComm and K&A team have a combined patent portfolio of eight (8) issued patents (worldwide), two (2) applications and two (2) provisional patents filed, including one related to creating incentive structures for pollution mitigation.
Wang Electro-Opto
Grant in 2012
Wang Electro-Opto manufacturers electronic products. Their products include universal antennas, body-worn antennas, GPS, GLONASS, galileo antennas, single band antennas, multiband antennas, broadband EW, RWR, radar, and telecom antennas, phased arrays, test antennas, and smart antennas.
OEpic
Grant in 2012
OEpic is a company based in Sunnyvale, California, that specializes in the design, manufacturing, and marketing of optoelectronic integrated circuits (OEICs). These circuits integrate optical components and electronics essential for communication systems. Established in 2000, OEpic offers chipsets that support data rates of 10 Gbps and 40 Gbps. In addition to OEICs, the company manufactures semicustom lasers, photodetectors, and filters, which are used in various communications and sensing applications. OEpic also provides comprehensive services including wafer processing, packaging, testing, and foundry services to support its customers.
Chiral Photonics
Grant in 2012
Chiral Photonics is an industrial engineering company that creates optical components based on wafer-scale integration. The firm creates wavelength discrimination components for the fiber optic telecommunications industry. It creates, designs, and manufactures fiber-based components and assemblies.
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