Semiconductor platform Boréas Technologies inks $12m Series B

• The round’s investors were not identified
• Boréas has its origins in research conducted at Harvard University
• The company will use the round’s proceeds to accelerate production of its ultra-low-power piezo haptic semiconductors in mobile, PC and automotive applications

Boréas Technologies, a Bromont, Quebec-based fabless semiconductor company, has closed its Series B financing at $12 million. The round’s investors were not identified.

Boréas has its origins in research conducted at Harvard University. The company’s flagship technology is its CapDrive piezo drivers, which enable crisp, localized haptic feedback as well as integrated force sensing in applications such as smartphones, where customized and highly responsive solid-state buttons are replacing legacy mechanical buttons, enriching the user experience.

The company will use the round’s proceeds to accelerate production of its ultra-low-power piezo haptic semiconductors in mobile, PC and automotive applications.

“Boréas Technologies has proven its ability to deliver localized haptic effects and force sensing in a small, ultra-power-efficient form factor suited to multiple markets,” said Simon Chaput, founder and CEO of Boréas Technologies, in a statement. “This infusion of capital will help catapult our company to the next level, ensuring that we can meet the high-volume demand for our chips in smartphones, PC trackpads and automotive cockpits.”

The company also announced that it added two members to its executive team: Todd Whitaker, vice president of products and strategy, and Hans Tian, vice president of sales.

Whitaker is a general manager and marketing executive who previously led the global marketing function for two semiconductor companies. Tian is the former vice president of sales at TDK InvenSense China and held a leadership role in sales at Knowles.