Fabless Semiconductor Association Announces Fabless Fundings Increase 32 Percent in Q1 2004
Investors Display Optimism As Fundings Represent Largest Amount Since Q3 2001
SAN JOSE, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—April 19, 2004—
The Fabless Semiconductor Association (FSA), the global
voice for fabless and hybrid semiconductor companies and their foundry
and supply-chain partners, announced today that 40 fabless companies
raised $560.1 million in Q1 2004, an increase of 32% over the same
period in 2003.
This growth represents the third straight quarter of double-digit
growth for fabless fundings and the longest stage of continued growth
since 2000. The FSA announced this information with the release of its
Q1 2004 "Fabless Fundings" report.
The total number of fundings closed increased 14% year-over-year,
growing from 35 deals in Q1 2003 to 40 in Q1 2004. In addition, the
average amount raised by companies seeking their first round rose over
previous years, growing to $11.9 million, the highest average amount
raised in the first round since 2000, when the average first-round
amount closed was $15.8 million.
The FSA's research notes that venture capitalists are continuing
to invest in later-stage companies, as nearly three-quarters of
funding deals in Q1 2004 went to companies raising their second, third
or fourth rounds of funding. Despite this fact, Q1 saw an increase
over 2003 in the percent of companies raising first-round funding,
with 20% of fundings in Q1 2004 going to early stage companies,
compared to 17% in 2003.
"The venture capital community is certainly sending a strong
message to the technology industry at large by increasing their
investment in the semiconductor sector," stated Jodi Shelton,
co-founder and executive director of the FSA. "The number of deals and
sheer quantity of closed fundings further represents investors'
confidence in the long-term growth of the semiconductor industry and,
in particular, the fabless business model."
About The Fabless Semiconductor Association:
The FSA is the global voice of fabless and hybrid semiconductor
companies and their foundry and supply-chain partners. Incorporated in
1994, the Association (www.fsa.org) is focused on the perpetuation of
the fabless business model throughout the worldwide semiconductor
industry. The organization encourages the relationship between
semiconductor companies and suppliers; facilitates business
partnerships; creates awareness of the fabless/outsourced business
model; disseminates industry data; and fosters standards and policies.
FSA members include fabless companies, IDMs, foundry providers,
packaging/assembly houses, intellectual property providers, electronic
design automation companies, OEMs, photomask companies, design
software companies, investment bankers, venture capitalists and other
companies. FSA members represent more than 21 countries spanning North
America, Asia-Pacific, Europe and the Middle East.
Contact:
Fabless Semiconductor Association
Vivian Pangburn, 972-866-7579 ext.140
vpangburn@fsa.org
or
Media Contact:
Shelton PR
Helen Garrett/Erin Anthony, 972-239-5119 ext. 201/135
hgarrett@sheltongroup.com
eanthony@sheltongroup.com
