MicroPower Technologies

About MicroPower Technologies

In 2008, founders Jon Siann, R. Robert Ehlers, and B. Brad Wallace launched MicroPower Technologies in San Diego with a compelling idea: what if you could place a high-quality surveillance camera anywhere, without the need for power cables? The company developed solar-powered, wireless video cameras designed to operate on an ultra-low power budget, aiming to cut installation time and costs by up to 90 percent compared to traditional systems. This innovation targeted perimeter surveillance and other applications where running power and data lines was difficult or expensive. The concept quickly gained traction. The company secured its first funding from the Tech Coast Angels network in 2008 and later attracted a significant $6.5 million investment from Motorola Solutions' venture arm in 2012. Over its life, MicroPower Technologies raised a total of $22.9 million through several funding rounds, allowing it to expand product development and marketing efforts. The technology was promising, earning awards for being disruptive and for its green-tech approach. Despite the innovative technology and strategic investments, the playbook didn't go as planned. By 2016, eight years after it started, MicroPower Technologies ceased operations. While the company had identified a clear market need and developed a unique solution, the path to sustainable growth proved too difficult, marking the end of its run.