ZeroG Wireless

About ZeroG Wireless

ZeroG Wireless, Inc. operated as a fabless semiconductor company, specializing in the development of low-power, embedded Wi-Fi solutions aimed at connecting a vast array of devices to the internet. Founded in 2006 by Thomas H. Lee, the company was established to address the growing demand for Wi-Fi connectivity in embedded systems. Thomas H. Lee, a professor of Electrical Engineering at Stanford University with a deep background in high-speed integrated circuits and previous entrepreneurial success with Matrix Semiconductor, identified the market need for simple, low-cost wireless solutions to enable the 'Internet of Things' (IoT). His extensive research and experience in CMOS RF integrated circuits directly informed the company's product strategy.

The company's business model was centered on designing and selling Wi-Fi-certified transceivers and FCC-certified modules to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). ZeroG Wireless targeted a diverse client base across sectors such as industrial controls, utility and smart energy, consumer electronics, retail, and healthcare. The core of its product line was the ZG2100 single-chip 802.11b transceiver, which integrated the MAC, baseband, RF, and power amplifier into one component. This chip was the foundation for modules like the ZG2100M and ZG2101M, which provided a complete, surface-mountable Wi-Fi I/O solution. A key benefit of these modules was their ability to be controlled by simple 8- or 16-bit microcontrollers, drastically reducing the complexity and cost for device manufacturers to add Wi-Fi capabilities. The products featured a simplified API that did not require a host operating system, hardware support for WEP, WPA, and WPA2 security, and various low-power states to extend battery life in end-user applications.

A significant milestone for ZeroG Wireless was securing $30 million in funding over two rounds, including a $17 million Series B in 2008, with investors like Battery Ventures, Morgenthaler, Greylock, and Cisco Investments. This funding facilitated the development and commercialization of its chipsets. The company's trajectory culminated in its acquisition by Microchip Technology Inc. in January 2010 for an undisclosed amount. The acquisition was a strategic move for Microchip to integrate Wi-Fi technology directly with its extensive portfolio of PIC microcontrollers, making it easier for its large customer base to develop Wi-Fi-enabled embedded applications.