10 Internet Of Things Acquisitions So Far In 2016

Everyone Wants In On The Internet Of Things

The Internet of Things is rapidly emerging as a lucrative market and vendors are quickly realizing the opportunities they can reap from this space -- including gateways, sensors, connectivity solutions, anddata collection and analysis services.

According to a study released by Strategy Analytics in April, there have been nearly two dozen major IoT-related mergers and acquisitions in the first four months of 2016. According to the report, the most desirable acquisition targets are companies whose core competencies revolve around analytics, security, connectivity platform capabilities and services.

In 2016 alone, tech giants like Intel, Microsoft and Cisco have splurged on acquisitions to boost their Internet of Things portfolios.

Following are 10 IoT-related acquisitions so far in 2016.

Microsoft-Solair

Microsoft earlier this month said it acquired Solair, an Italy-based Internet of Things service that specializes in verticals such as manufacturing, retail, hospitality and transportation. The IoT customization and deployment solutions are built on Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform and help enterprises track their products, capture data and improve profitability.

The acquisition will help Microsoft further expand its IoT business. In March, the Redmond, Wash.-based company introduced a series of Azure IoT Starter Kits to help developers test new IoT-related devices.

Microsoft did not disclose the purchase price.

Cypress Semiconductor-Broadcom

Last month, Cypress Semiconductor said it would acquire Broadcom’s wireless Internet of Things business and all related assets in a $550 million transaction. As part of Broadcom’s IoT business, Cypress, San Jose, Calif., will get the company’s Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and ZigBee IoT product lines and IP, as well as its WICED brand and developer ecosystem.

The acquisition will help Cypress strengthen its position in key embedded systems markets, such as automotive and industrial, and help it tap into the high-growth consumer IoT market, a segment that includes wearable electronics and home automation solutions.

It will also combine Irvine, Calif.-based Broadcom’s developer tools and connectivity technologies for IoT devices with Cypress’ programmable SoC products that provide memory, computing and graphics processing for low-power devices.

Sony-Altair

Sony in February closed on an acquisition ofh Altair Semiconductor for $212 million. Altair, an Israel-based company, makes chips connecting devices to LTE, which is used to connect objects such as fitness trackers and sensors to the Internet of Things.

Tokyo-based Sony said it will combine Altair’s business — specifically its modem chips — with Sony technology, including its Global Navigation Satellite System and image sensors. Sony’s purchase will help it get up to speed in competing with companies such as Intel and Nokia, which are collaborating on technology called Narrow-Band LTE for IoT.

Brocade-Ruckus

Brocade in April said it would acquire Sunnyvale, Calif.-based Ruckus Wireless, which will complement Brocade's enterprise networking portfolio with Ruckus’ higher-growth, wireless products.

The acquisition will strengthen Brocade’s ability to pursue emerging market opportunities around 5G mobile services, Internet of Things and Smart Cities.

"This strategic combination will position us to expand our addressable market and technology leadership with Ruckus’ fast-growing wireless LAN products, and supports our vision to deliver market-leading new IP solutions that enable the network to become a platform for innovation,’ said Lloyd Carney, chief executive officer of Brocade, San Jose, Calif., in a statement.

Cisco-Jasper

Cisco Systems was another company that recently dove deeper into IoT with the $1.4 billion purchase of cloud-based IoT provider Jasper Technologies., Santa Clara, Calif.

Jasper, named one of CRN’s 10 Coolest IoT startups of 2015, offers a cloud-based IoT service platform to help enterprises and service providers launch, manage and monetize IoT services on a global scale. The IoT service platform automates IoT managed services across devices and enables companies to form new business models.

Through the acquisition, Cisco, San Jose, Calif., will be able to offer a complete solution that is interoperable across devices and works with IoT service providers, application developers and partners.

Nokia-Withings

Nokia in April said it would acquire Withings to bolster its IoT offerings in the digital health space. Nokia did not disclose the purchase price.

France-based Withings offers regulated and unregulated products — including activity trackers, weighing scales, thermometers and blood pressure monitors — and is built on a digital health platform with complementary apps.

"With this acquisition, Nokia is strengthening its position in the Internet of Things in a way that leverages the power of our trusted brand, fits with our company purpose of expanding the human possibilities of the connected world, and puts us at the heart of a very large addressable market where we can make a meaningful difference in peoples' lives," said Rajeev Suri, president and CEO of Finland-based Nokia.

Intel-Yogitech

Intel in April said it would acquire Yogitech, an Italian-based company with expertise in semiconductor functional safety and related standards. The company will join Intel’s Internet of Things Group.

According to Intel, the acquisition will further its efforts in advanced driver assistance systems, robotics and autonomous machines for market segments like automotive and industrial, as Intel can tap into Yogitech’s knowledge of functional safety as it relates to the Internet of Things.

Intel, Santa Clara, Calif., did not specify product road map details or an acquisition price.

Qorvo-GreenPeak Technologies

In April, Qorvo, a Greensboro, N.C.-based provider of core technologies and RF solutions for mobile, infrastructure and defense applications, said it would acquire IoT solution provider GreenPeak Technologies.

GreenPeak Technologies, based in the Netherlands, is a leader in ultra-low-power, short-range RF communication technology, and Qorvo will now be able to expand its customer offerings to include highly integrated RF solutions and SoCs for the connected home and IoT.

"The acquisition of GreenPeak Technologies will complement Qorvo's market-leading high-power RF portfolio with innovative ultra-low-power, short-range wireless personal area network SoCs, ZigBee and Bluetooth solutions. GreenPeak brings a world-class technical team and solutions to Qorvo, allowing us to increase our presence in the rapidly expanding IoT market," said James Klein, president of Qorvo's Infrastructure and Defense Products Group.

Salesforce-Implisit

According to Dow Jones Business News, Salesforce in May acquired data automation startup Implisit Insights for ’tens of millions’ of dollars.

Implisit is based in Israel and has raised $3.3 million in funding so far, according to Crunchbase. Implisit Insights is a software market that helps salespeople make better decisions based on its customer database. For San Francisco-based Salesforce, the acquisition will help it create smarter and more predictive software.

ARM-Apical

Chip designer ARM recently said it had paid $350 million in cash to purchase Apical, which manufactures technology for analyzing images. London-based Apical, which specializes in embedded computer vision, will help ARM accelerate its expansion into new IoT-related markets, including connected devices.

"Computer vision is in the early stages of development and the world of devices powered by this exciting technology can only grow from here," said Simon Segars, CEO of U.K.-based ARM, in a statement. "Apical is at the forefront of embedded computer vision technology, building on its leadership in imaging products that already enable intelligent devices to deliver amazing new user experiences."