Kovio develops a high-performance printed silicon manufacturing platform that enables scalable item-level NFC technology for branded products and retail markets. The company produces printed silicon NFC Barcodes, RFID tags, and Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) products. Kovio recently released an EAS product intended to improve the retail experience and enhance loss prevention for retailers. It plans to soon release NFC Barcode products that enable real-time, customizable interaction between consumers, brands, and retailers. Kovio traces its origins to the MIT Media Lab and operates as a privately held Silicon Valley (San Jose-based) company. The company has venture backers including Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, DAG Ventures, and Tyco. Kovio builds semiconductor products using printed silicon electronics and thin-film technology, combining proprietary high-performance silicon inks with graphics printing to produce RF Barcodes on flexible substrates. Its RF Barcodes are designed to work with NFC-enabled mobile phones and devices to enable mobile marketing, targeted promotions, product authenticity checks and deeper product insight for brand owners and retailers. The company cites applications across retail, healthcare, consumer electronics, transportation, manufacturing and energy. Led by CEO Amir Mashkoori, Kovio aims to integrate its products with partner offerings and broaden market adoption. The recent financing is intended to support integration with Tyco Retail Solutions and help introduce Kovio’s products to market.

Total raised

$20M

Funding rounds

2

Latest round

Debt Financing

Latest activity

Jan 2013