Stretch
The company's processors run alongside image sensors (which capture pictures) made by Pixim, another chip company that has had success raising money as it targets the security market. Stretch's chips compress the data so that less information has to be transferred over data transmission lines. Next-generation security cameras that are better able to capture video in bright or dark places are in high demand in surveillance-oriented markets like China.
The investment round, a follow-up to the company's second round of funding in March of 2008, was co-led by Worldview Technology Partners, Oak Investment Partners, and Menlo Ventures. The company has 65 employees.
Competitors include Mobilygen, which was acquired by Maxim, and W&W, which was acquired by Cavium Networks. Texas Instruments could also prove to be a formindable foe. But Stretch enjoys a promising roster of clients, including Matrox, Euresys, Lanner and DVTech, said Bob Bleachler, vice president of marketing. Founded in 2002, it has raised $116 million to date.