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§ Public · Milpitas, CA, USA
A fabless semiconductor company designing Multi-Gig Ethernet solutions for data centers, enterprise, and automotive connectivity.
Based in San Jose, California, Aquantia is a fabless semiconductor company that develops Multi-Gigabit Ethernet solutions and high-speed communications integrated circuits for data centers, enterprise infrastructure, and automotive applications. Prior to its 2017 initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange, the enterprise raised $194.15 million in venture funding to engineer physical layer transceivers and controllers that enable faster data transmission over standard copper cables. The company's capitalization history includes strategic investments from prominent corporate venture arms such as Intel Capital and Cisco, which also operated as a key customer for its networking chips. In September 2019, the business was acquired by Marvell Technology in a transaction valued at approximately $452 million, resulting in its delisting and integration into the acquirer's broader networking operations. Aquantia was founded in 2004 by Ramin Shirani, Faraj Aalaei, and Phil Walston.
Aquantia has raised $201.2M across 8 funding rounds.
Aquantia has raised $201.2M in total across 8 funding rounds.
Aquantia has raised $201.2M across 8 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $37.0M Series H in October 2015.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2015 | $37M Series H | — | Cisco Investments, Credit Suisse, GlobalFoundries | Announced |
| Mar 17, 2014 | $16M Series G | Krishna Rangasayee | — | Announced |
| May 1, 2012 | $35M Series F | Sergey Polikarpov | END Partners, Greylock, Sequoia Capital, Rohini Chakravarthy | Announced |
| Jun 1, 2011 | $21M Series E | — | END Partners, Greylock, Sequoia Capital | Announced |
| Dec 1, 2009 | $35M Series D | Rohini Chakravarthy | END Partners, Greylock, Sequoia Capital, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Pinnacle Ventures, VentureTech Alliance | Announced |
| Feb 1, 2008 | $26M Series B | Pinnacle Ventures | END Partners, Flex Capital, Greylock, Pear VC, Prefix Capital, Sequoia Capital, Lightspeed Venture Partners, VentureTech Alliance | Announced |
| Aug 30, 2007 | $19.2M Venture Round | — | Greylock Partners, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Pinnacle Ventures | Announced |
| Sep 1, 2005 | $12M Series A | — | END Partners, Flex Capital, Greylock, Pear VC, Prefix Capital, Sequoia Capital | Announced |
Aquantia was a Silicon Valley-based semiconductor company specializing in Multi-Gig Ethernet connectivity solutions for high-speed data transmission.[1][2][3] It developed advanced integrated circuits (ICs) for Ethernet in data centers, enterprise infrastructure, access networks, and automotive applications, solving network bandwidth bottlenecks driven by exploding IP traffic and data demands.[1][3][4][5] Aquantia served OEMs, integrated circuit suppliers, and design manufacturers, with products deployed in Tier-1 Ethernet switches and servers; it achieved strong growth, ranking as North America's fastest-growing semiconductor firm in 2014-2016 per Deloitte, before its $13.25-per-share acquisition by Marvell in September 2019.[1][3][4]
Post-acquisition, Aquantia's technologies enhanced Marvell's portfolio, particularly in 2.5G/5G/10G Ethernet and automotive PHYs for autonomous driving, but the Aquantia brand was phased out.[1][3][4]
Founded in 2004 in San Jose, California, Aquantia emerged as a startup focused on high-speed transceivers amid rising data center connectivity needs.[1][2][4] Early innovation included the world's first integrated 10GBASE-T MAC/PHY for servers in 2013, following its 2012 acquisition of PLX Technology's 10GBASE-T assets.[4] Founders, led by CEO Faraj Aalaei, leveraged disruptive architecture to target cloud computing and large-scale data centers, securing Lightspeed Venture Partners' Series A backing from inception.[2]
Pivotal moments included co-founding the NBASE-T Alliance in 2014 with Cisco, Xilinx, and Freescale to promote 2.5G/5G Ethernet standards (ratified as IEEE 802.3bz in 2016), enabling higher speeds over existing Cat5e/Cat6 cables, and announcing 100Gbps copper tech in 2016.[4] These milestones built early traction, culminating in awards like Company of the Year at the 2014 Electronics awards.[4]
Aquantia's edge stemmed from its focus on cost-effective, high-performance Ethernet ICs that delivered leading-edge speeds without full infrastructure overhauls:
Aquantia rode the explosive growth in global IP traffic, fueled by cloud computing, data centers, and early autonomous vehicles, where bandwidth demands outpaced legacy 1G Ethernet.[1][3][4] Its timing was ideal: launching amid 2010s data deluge, it standardized Multi-Gig Ethernet via NBASE-T, influencing IEEE 802.3bz adoption and enabling seamless upgrades for enterprises and autos.[4] Market forces like rising mobile broadband and AI-driven data centers favored its copper-based, power-efficient solutions over pricier optics initially.[1][3]
By accelerating Marvell's end-to-end Ethernet portfolio, Aquantia shaped in-car networking for self-driving tech and enterprise infrastructure, influencing OEMs and reducing ecosystem-wide upgrade costs.[3]
Aquantia's legacy endures within Marvell, amplifying Multi-Gig Ethernet in data centers, cloud, and automotive amid AI, 5G/6G, and edge computing booms.[1][3] Next, expect its tech to evolve toward 100G+ speeds and optical hybrids, powering hyperscale AI infrastructure and fully autonomous fleets. Trends like electrification and software-defined vehicles will expand its automotive footprint, while Marvell's scale drives global adoption. As data economies intensify, Aquantia's innovations—once a standalone disruptor—now fortify a connectivity powerhouse, underscoring how targeted semiconductor bets propel broader tech momentum.[3][4]
Aquantia has raised $201.2M in total across 8 funding rounds.
Aquantia's investors include Cisco Investments, Credit Suisse, GLOBALFOUNDRIES, Krishna Rangasayee, Sergey Polikarpov, End Partners, Greylock, Sequoia Capital, Rohini Chakravarthy, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Pinnacle Ventures, VentureTech Alliance.