US-based search engine group Google has invested an undisclosed amount of money for a 6.3% stake in Taiwan-based Himax Display, a subsidiary of Himax Technologies. Himax said that that the investment is being made to “fund production upgrades, expand capacity and further enhance production capabilities.”
Shares of semiconductor maker Himax Technologies were jumping in pre-market trading with the news that Google is taking the stake in the company’s Himax Display (HDI). HDI is a subsidiary of the Taiwanese company that focuses on liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) chips and modules, which are used in Google Glass and other products.
Valuations of Google’s stake and HDI are not yet clear it has been reported, however, valuations are likely to rise steadily as a result of hedge funds taking a liking to parent Himax Technologies.
With this investment, Google will join Intel Capital, Kleiner Perkins, and Khosla Ventures as a core shareholder of the chipmaker.
The others’ stakes are due to Himax Display acquiring their portfolio company Spatial Photonics, a micro-display startup, last year.
Spatial Photonics had reportedly raised at least $34m.
Himax said that the 6.3% stake includes an option to make an additional investment in more preferred shares within the next year. If exercised in full, Google can take up to a 14.8% share in HDI.