Palo Alto, CA – June 30, 2014 – Kovio, Inc., a privately held pioneer in printed silicon electronics, has announced that it has raised $15 million in new equity financing led by Tyco Retail Solutions, a unit of Tyco International and a global leader in retail solutions and services. Kovio will use the funding to deliver solutions that take advantage of the emerging infrastructure of Near Field Communication (NFC)-enabled devices and printed silicon capabilities. The emergence of NFC-enabled devices, coupled with Kovio’s unique printed silicon capability, makes for a dynamic market opportunity within interactive mobile platforms. Other investors who also participated include Caufield & Byers, DAG Ventures, Flagship Ventures, Harris & Harris, Kleiner Perkins, Northgate Capital, and Pangaea Ventures.
Kovio is able to print RF Barcodes on flexible materials less expensively than traditional silicon technologies by combining high-performance silicon inks with graphics printing technologies. Using Kovio’s RF Barcodes and NFC-enabled mobile devices, brand owners and retailers can engage directly with individual consumers. Consumers will be able to gain deeper product insight, take advantage of targeted promotions and offers, and be assured of a product’s safety and authenticity, simply by waving their phone over a Kovio RF Barcode.
“We are delighted to be partnering with Tyco to bring to market the world’s first commercially available products that leverage Kovio’s printed silicon capabilities. By integrating our products with the offerings from Tyco Retail Solutions, we are enabling new opportunities for retailers and brand owners.” – Amir Mashkoori, CEO, Kovio Inc.
“Kovio has developed a groundbreaking technology, and we are pleased to partner with them to accelerate its introduction to the market.” – Scott Clements, President, Tyco Retail Solutions
Woodside Capital Partners served as the exclusive financial advisor to Kovio, Inc. in this transaction.
About Kovio, Inc.
Kovio, Inc., a privately held Silicon Valley company, is developing a new category of semiconductor products using printed silicon electronics and thin-film technology. Kovio’s approach delivers a unique and compelling value proposition in multiple industries, including retail, healthcare, consumer electronics, transportation, manufacturing, and energy. For more information on Kovio, please visit http://www.kovio.com.
About Tyco Retail Solutions
Tyco Retail Solutions, a unit of Tyco International, is a leading global provider of integrated retail performance and security solutions, deployed today at more than 80 percent of the world’s top 200 retailers. Operating in more than 70 countries worldwide, Tyco Retail Solutions provides retailers with real-time visibility and protection of their inventory and assets to improve operations, optimize profitability and create memorable shopper experiences. The Tyco Retail Solutions portfolio is sold through ADT and authorized business partners around the world. For more information, please visit www.tycoretailsolutions.com.
About Woodside Capital Partners
Woodside Capital Partners is a global, independent investment bank that delivers world-class strategic and financial advice to emerging growth companies in the technology and life sciences sectors. With a strong track record in M&A, strategic partnerships and private placements, Woodside Capital Partners has been providing worldwide investment banking services since 2001, with leading domain experience in software, Internet services, electronic communications and materials, and healthcare. Woodside Capital Partners is headquartered in Silicon Valley, with an office in London. Securities offered through Woodside Capital Securities LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. For more information, please visit www.woodsidecap.com.