GSA reports decrease in March semiconductor funding activity

USA: The GSA has released March 2012 statistics from its Global Semiconductor Funding, IPO and M&A Update, including:

* In March 2012, venture investment dollars received by semiconductor companies (i.e., fabless companies, integrated device manufacturers (IDMs) and semiconductor suppliers) was $28.9 million; a 81.9 percent decrease month-over-month (MoM) and a 84.9 percent decrease year-over-year (YoY).

* Eight semiconductor companies received funding in March; a 42.9 percent decrease MoM and a 14.3 percent increase YoY.

* Of the eight companies that received funding, six were fabless companies and two were suppliers.

* March saw one semiconductor company receive a first round investment: Denmark-based Merus Audio.

* On March 14th, M/A-COM Technology Solutions Holdings announced the success of its initial public offering on the NASDAQ Global Select Market (ticker: MTSI).

* March also saw the Germany-based Novaled AG file with the SEC to raise up to $200 million in an initial public offering.

* In March, the total number of semiconductor mergers and acquisitions (M&As) announced (i.e., M&As involving entire fabless, IDM and semiconductor supplier companies, not sectors/product lines or foundry facilities) increased by six MoM and remained the same YoY.

* The largest M&A deal in March occurred when Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) completed the acquisition of SeaMicro for $334 million.