Micron Ventures primary objective is to assist Micron Technology, Inc. (“Micron”) in supporting the long-term needs of its customers. As a key component of Micron’s innovation strategy, early stage equity investments provide Micron with access to technologies, markets, applications and key innovations influencing the semiconductor space.
Whether it is a simple investment or a more extensive partnership, Micron Ventures uniquely tailors its collaboration to address the specific needs of its portfolio companies. Ultimately, success is predicated on the ability of Micron and its co-investors, to assist growth companies in becoming determining forces within their respective marketplaces.
About Micron Ventures
Launched in 2006, Micron Ventures is authorized to invest $100M over a ten year period in early stage technology companies whose technologies are salient to the strategic interests of Micron. Specifically, Micron Ventures is targeting next generation memory solutions, system-level solutions, semiconductor processing solutions, imaging technologies, embedded applications, and other disruptive semiconductor technologies.
Benefits to Portfolio Companies
Portfolio companies will benefit from Micron’s financial support and, where appropriate, receive access to world-class technology and process expertise, research and development capabilities, business relationships, strategic insights and market intelligence.
Technology
As a leading supplier of DRAM and NAND products, Micron has extensive experience in the product lifecycle of semiconductor products. Where appropriate, portfolio companies will be able to access leading edge semiconductor designers and process engineers for advice and guidance. Leveraging this knowledge could be instrumental in generating time-to-market and financial planning advantages for companies who are designing leading edge solutions.
Visibility and Validation
One of the biggest hurdles for a growth company is establishing credibility for the company and its products or services. In most cases, portfolio companies will be able to reference Micron’s investment in order to source suppliers, engage customers and attract both investors and employees.
Business and Strategic Relationships
If applicable, Micron will promote portfolio companies within our extensive global network of suppliers, customers and technology partners. Portfolio companies may benefit from our close relationships with leading technology companies in areas such as telecommunications, computer hardware, consumer electronics, and semiconductor processing.
Team
The Micron Ventures team is composed of investment professionals and a knowledgeable advisory committee composed of senior Micron personnel. In performing due diligence and supporting portfolio companies the Micron Ventures team can also leverage the myriad of technical, process, and industry expertise harbored within Micron's business units and research and development programs.
Matt Freeman, Managing Director, Micron Ventures
As Managing Director of Micron Ventures, Mr. Freeman is responsible for managing strategic investments and business development opportunities with early stage technology startups. In addition, he has responsibility for considering investment and business development opportunities in greenfield markets. Prior to joining Micron Ventures, he spent 10 years working in the semiconductor industry in various corporate development and research roles. In these capacities, his responsibilities included mergers and acquisitions work, corporate strategy consulting and market research and development. In 2007, he sat on the board of an international trade consortium and is currently a member of the Executive Committee for the Semiconductor Industry Association. Currently, he serves as a board observer for multiple venture-backed companies.
He holds a Master of International Management/Master of Business Administration degree from the Thunderbird School of Global Management, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Russian Studies from the University of Utah and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, also from the University of Utah.
Advisory Committee
Steve Appleton, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Mark Durcan, President and Chief Operating Officer
Dean Klein, Vice President of Memory System Development
Brian Shirley, Vice President of Memory