Crocus Technology
Introduction '''Crocus Technology''', founded in 2004, is a venture-capital-backed semiconductor startup company developing and manufacturing integrated magnetic field sensors for a variety of applications: Automotive, consumer goods, industrial and medical IoT.
History Crocus Technology was founded at Grenoble in 2004, based on research at the Spintec laboratory. It eventually moved its headquarters to Santa Clara, California, but retained its engineering base in Grenoble.The company initially developed its MLU™ (Magnetic Logic Unit™) technology for stand-alone and embedded spintronic MRAM (magnetic random-access memory). In 2015, Crocus Technology introduced its first magnetic sensor product based on its technology.Today, it focuses its activities entirely on integrated, high-performance magnetic sensors. In 2022, it moved its California Headquarters from Santa Clara to Milpitas. On October 31, 2023, Allegro MicroSystems completed the acquisition of the company for $420 million in cash.
Patents In intellectual property, the company possesses 154 patents supporting its products, relating to TMR technology, memory and sensor design.
Joint ventures On June 18, 2009, Crocus Technology announced a partnership with an integrated circuit specialty foundry Tower Semiconductor. As part of the deal, both companies will dedicate special equipment to Tower’s factory, and Tower will fully manufacture Crocus’  technology in its 200mm Fab2 facility. Tower took a $1.25 million equity position in Crocus.
Investors Other investors include Idinvest Partners, CDC Innovation, Enterprises et Patrimonies, Nano Dimension, Sofinnova Partners, Sofinnova Ventures, and Ventech.
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