US-based semiconductor technology developer Transphorm received $15m in funding from robotic automation company Yaskawa Electric yesterday.
Founded in 2007, Transphorm has developed power conversion technology that relies on high-voltage gallium nitride (GaN) semiconductor technology. The technology has been used in Yaskawa’s Σ-7 F servo motor, unveiled in September 2017.
Transphorm will put the capital injection towards further product development.
Yaskawa’s commitment follows a $70m investment led by KKR in 2015 that had brought the company’s total equity and debt funding to approximately $228m, according to security filings and press reports.
Semiconductor producer Nihon Inter Electronics and public-private partnership Innovation Network Corporation of Japan co-led a $35m series E round in 2012, which also featured GV, the early-stage investment arm of diversified conglomerate Alphabet.
Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Foundation Capital, Quantum Strategic Partners, Lux Capital and Bright Capital also contributed to the series E round.