Aura Communications Closes Latest Round of Funding, Includes Duchossois, Pilot House and Motorola; Capital Will be Used to Further Reach Into Wireless Communications Space.Business/Technology Editors WILMINGTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 4, 2001 Aura Communications, Inc., a fabless semiconductor company A fabless semiconductor company specializes in the design and sale of hardware devices implemented on semiconductor chips. It achieves an advantage by outsourcing the fabrication of the devices to a specialized semiconductor manufacturer called a semiconductor foundry or "fab. providing system-on-chip (SOC) solutions for wireless voice, data and audio communication, said today it has completed its recent financing activity that was started in November 2000. This financing raised a total of $11 million for Aura(TM). Investors include Duchossois TECnology Partners, Pilot House Ventures and Motorola Ventures, the strategic venture capital arm of Motorola, Inc. (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange : MOT). Funds will be used to expand into new voice and data centric application areas, release two major chipsets this year, and develop its next-generation chip architecture. "Aura's mission to cut-the-cord for wired devices in the personal area network, resonated with our investors," says Vincent Palermo Vincent "Vinny Ocean" Palermo was a high ranking member of the New Jersey La Cosa Nostra DeCavalcante crime family. He was nicknamed Vinny Ocean because he once worked in a fish market which he used as a front for running a numbers racket. , president, chief executive officer (CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. ) and founder of Aura Communications. "They saw the impact Aura is already making in the wireless market." "Aura Communications is an emerging leader in the wireless communications wireless communications System using radio-frequency, infrared, microwave, or other types of electromagnetic or acoustic waves in place of wires, cables, or fibre optics to transmit signals or data. space," notes Robert Fealy, chief operating officer Chief Operating Officer (COO) The officer of a firm responsible for day-to-day management, usually the president or an executive vice-president. (COO) of Duchossois TECnology Partners. "We are excited about Aura's technology and its tremendous market opportunity. We are pleased to be part of this stimulating and dynamic company." Stephen M. Van Beaver, partner of Pilot House Ventures, adds: "Aura's value proposition of reducing power, cost, and size clearly drives the consumer space. Serving multiple markets in personal area networks allows for compounded growth year to year, making Aura an attractive investment." About Duchossois TECnology Partners Duchossois TECnology Partners ("DTEC DTEC Department of Technical and Economic Cooperation (Thailand) DTEC Development Test and Evaluation Center ") is a venture capital fund investing in early-stage companies with strong intellectual property. Its specific areas of focus include wireless technologies, Internet infrastructure, communication and networking, and voice enabling technologies. DTEC is located in Elmhurst, Ill., a Chicago suburb. For more information, visit www.DuchTEC.com About Pilot House Ventures Group Pilot House Ventures Group is an early stage venture capital firm focusing on broadband-enabling hardware, software and service companies in the datacom and telecom spaces. Based in Boston, Massachusetts “Boston” redirects here. For other uses, see Boston (disambiguation). Boston is the capital and most populous city of Massachusetts.[3] The largest city in New England, Boston is considered the unofficial economic and cultural center of the entire New , Pilot House Ventures' investment professionals include former executives of Continental Cablevision, Inc. with significant operating, technology and finance experience. Pilot House Ventures focuses on providing portfolio companies with strategic guidance and industry-specific knowledge and contacts. About Motorola Ventures Group Motorola Ventures is the strategic venture capital arm of the global communications and embedded electronics company. Motorola Ventures (MV) actively invests in early stage companies with high growth potential in areas of strategic value to Motorola's current and future businesses. Wireless PAN, Wireless LAN A local area network that transmits over the air typically in the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz unlicensed frequency band. It does not require line of sight between sender and receiver. Wireless base stations (access points) are wired to an Ethernet network and transmit a radio frequency over an area , broadband, telematics, smartcard, and next generation silicon applications are a few of the technologies within Motorola's investment scope. MV works closely between Motorola's internal business groups and portfolio companies to ensure a nurtured and successful partnership. About Aura Communications Aura Communications, Inc., is a fabless semiconductor company that has developed an enabling technology for low-cost, low-power personal-area networks. Aura's programmable system-on-chip (SOC) solutions create the backbone infrastructure for wireless voice, audio and data communications data communications, application of telecommunications technology to the problem of transmitting data, especially to, from, or between computers. In popular usage, it is said that data communications make it possible for one computer to "talk" with another. . Its first product -- known as VoiceLink(TM)-- enabled the first commercially available wireless headset See headset. for cellular telephones and is well suited for wireless applications that require high-quality, full-duplex voice transmission at low-power consumption and cost. Founded in 1995, Aura Communications is privately held and funded by Duchossois TECnology Partners, Pilot House Ventures, Motorola Ventures and angel investors. Corporate headquarters is located at 187 Ballardvale Street, Wilmington, Mass. 01887. Telephone: (978) 988-0088. Facsimile: (978) 988-3977. Email: info@auracomm.com. Online information is found at its web site: http://www.auracomm.com. Aura, VoiceLink and LibertyLink are trademarks of Aura Communications Inc. All other companies and products referenced herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. |
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