Knowles’ CMM division is a manufacturer and supplier of high performance SiSonic micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) microphones that are essential for voice and audio applications in smartphones, smart speakers and wearables, among other market segments, including autos and household appliances.
“The addition of the Knowles CMM business gives Syntiant a leadership position in the rapidly growing, multibillion-dollar MEMS microphone market, while delivering new solutions that combine cutting-edge sensors, processors and high-performance machine learning models, redefining the future of AI-enabled audio and voice interfaces,” said Kurt Busch, CEO of Syntiant. “As large language models continue to transform industries by enabling advanced natural language understanding and automation, we are accelerating the development of next-generation solutions for autonomous vehicles, smart home devices, industrial automation and beyond.
“Moreover, this acquisition brings invaluable talent and global customer relationships to Syntiant, reinforcing our ability even further to innovate and scale globally.”
More than 50 million Syntiant Neural Decision Processors (NDPs) and deep learning models have been deployed worldwide, delivering accurate, artificial intelligence in edge devices with ultra-low- power consumption.
The integration of advanced MEMS sensors into Syntiant’s existing hardware-software capabilities will provide customers with a total edge AI audio solution that simplifies product development and accelerates time-to-market, while remaining scalable, secure and customizable to fit a wide range of applications.
Knowles’ CMM division generated revenue of approximately $256 million in 2023. The acquisition was financed through a collaborative effort led by Khazanah Nasional Berhad and Boardman Bay Capital Management, which provided equity funding, and Structural Capital, which arranged debt financing.
“We see this acquisition as a pivotal moment that will enable Syntiant to offer unparalleled innovations in intelligent voice and audio solutions,” said Will Graves, chief investment officer at Boardman Bay Capital Management.
