Date: May 30, 2013 Author: Kyle Alspach Source: bizjournals (
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Beverly-based SiOnyx has begun to transition from development to commercialization of its image-sensor technology, which has applications from cheaper night vision for the military and security cameras, to biometric identification for mobile devices.
Founded in 2006 by two Harvard University professors, the company spent its first five years in development of its semiconductor technology, which purports to be both lower cost and more sensitive to light than typical image-sensor semiconductors.
In the first quarter of this year SiOnyx began generating its first product revenue — from defense industry customers — and now expects to expand its sales throughout the rest of the year, CEO Stephen Saylor said in an interview.
Along with adding defense customers, SiOnyx expects to begin to selling to commercial firms which would integrate the firm's semiconductor chips into security cameras, Saylor said.
The SiOnyx image-sensor chips are "an order of magnitude cheaper than the incumbent solution" in part because the chips leverage the scale of the consumer electronics industry, which previous solutions have been unable to do, he said.
For military applications, the night-vision technology also offers lower power and lower weight than current solutions — a major benefit for soldiers who today must wear cumbersome night-vision equipment, Saylor said.
In mobile electronics such as smart phones, the technology could be used to allow devices to figure out what's going on with a user — such as where they're looking at the screen — to optimize the user's experience, Saylor said.
The technology can also be used for mobile biometrics such as to positively identify a user without using a name and password, he said. SiOnyx expects to begin targeting consumer applications for the technology in 2014, Saylor said.
The firm now believes it's at a critical stage, he said. "We've taken the technology risk out, and we're about to hit the 'go button' and ramp up manufacturing."
Ultimately, Saylor said, "I think this is a multi-billion dollar company."
"In the camera marketplace alone — think about just how pervasive cameras are today — it's an incredible opportunity to dive into. There are over $60 billion a year in camera sales, and that's projected to grow to $80 billion by 2016," Saylor said.
The company's image sensors fall into the realm of CMOS (complementary metal--oxide--semiconductor). SiOnyx currently has three chips in production, which are now being sampled with customers, he said. Production is being done by the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, which is the world's largest sensor-focused foundry, Saylor said.
SiOnyx has raised $34 million in venture funding to date, "which for a fabless semiconductor company is not a whole lot of money," he said.
Investors include Polaris Venture Partners, Vulcan Capital, CIA venture arm In-Q-Tel and Harris & Harris; the latest investment, from In-Q-Tel, came last August.
SiOnyx currently employs 30, split evenly between offices in Massachusetts and Oregon, and expects to begin adding staff in sales and marketing soon, Saylor said. Overall the firm expects to double its headcount over the next 18 months, he said.
The company was founded by Harvard University professors Eric Mazur and James Carey, and has exclusive rights to license a Harvard-owned portfolio of patents.
Saylor, CEO of SiOnyx since 2006, was previously VP of marketing and product management for Adobe Systems, and before that worked at FlashPoint Technology, which he co-founded with a team from Apple Computer.
