TZero, ultrawideband chip co., searching for more capital amid competition

TZero Technologies, a Sunnyvale, Calif. developer of chips for so-called wireless ultrawideband technology that can transmit large data files such as video in the home, is on the prowl for $25 million in a third round of funding, according to VentureWire (subscription required).

The search for cash is not surprising, because TZero plays in an competitive field, and it isn’t certain how much demand there is for its products. The company has already raised a significant $43 million over the past four years.

UltrawideBand can transmit up to a whopping 500 megabits of data a second — roughly 10 times today’s Wi-Fi speeds. However, a range of other players, from SiBeam to Artimi, are offering similar technologies. No single standard appears to have emerged, however. Then there are WiFi-focused companies like Palo Alto’s Airgo Networks which say their technology can do just as well. Airgo was snapped up by Qualcomm after raising $130 million. There’s also Ruckus Wireless, which has raised $30 million.

Its previous backers include OVP Venture Partners, August Capital and U.S. Venture Partners.

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