SBA Materials

About SBA Materials

SBA Materials, Inc. was a company focused on the development of functional porous materials, including inorganic and organic/inorganic hybrids, for a range of technological applications. Founded in 2001 and headquartered in San Jose, CA, the firm targeted the general purpose semiconductors industry. The company was led by Hash Pakbaz as President and CEO, and Mark Phillips as CTO. SBA Materials developed a proprietary Liquid Phase Self Assembly technology, which enabled the creation of advanced siloxane-based materials. These materials offered a combination of electrical, optical, and mechanical properties.

The company's primary product was an engineered nano-structured dielectric material designed to enhance the performance and reduce power consumption of chips used in mobile devices. This low-k dielectric material aimed to allow electronics manufacturers to produce logic chips that consume less energy. The technology had potential applications in other significant markets, such as energy storage. The materials could be fabricated in various forms, including thin and thick films, powders, fibers, and optically clear monoliths, all featuring highly ordered mesoporous networks.

Throughout its history, SBA Materials secured approximately $16 million to $18.2 million in funding over nine rounds, which included seed, early-stage, and late-stage venture capital. Notable investors included NanoDimension, Air Liquide, Tel Venture Capital, Southern Cross Venture Partners, and Intel Capital. One of its largest funding events was a Series A round of $5.16 million in January 2010. Despite its developments and investor backing, corporate records indicate that SBA Materials ceased operations around February 2019.