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CICLON

As one of the three original founders of CICLON (pronounced see-clon) Semiconductor Device Corporation in 2005, Mark Granahan believed that his tech start-up would thrive in the lucrative semiconductor market. With limited resources, he also realized that this undertaking wouldn't be easy.

Perseverance, staying focused on development, and assembling the right team became the key principles in his company's ascension into the high tech strata—as well as some help from his home state.

From humble beginnings in office space within the Ben Franklin Technology Partners headquarters in northeastern Pennsylvania, Granahan's business venture proved to be so successful that he attracted the attention of his former employer, Texas Instruments (TI), which acquired his semiconductor company in February 2009.

"One of their strategic moves was keeping us at Ben Franklin TechVentures, where we became the anchor tenant, and retaining our team of 50 employees intact," says Granahan, who was named general manager of TI's Power Stage Business Unit. "They viewed our team as critical to the success of the business and recognized this superior technology facility as a wonderful place to grow."

Under Granahan's guidance, CICLON quickly became a leader in the design, development and sale of high-frequency, high-efficiency RF LDMOS (laterally-diffused metal oxide semiconductor) and power MOSFET (metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor) solutions for high-performance information technology applications.

Essentially, CICLON builds, designs, and manufactures power semiconductor devices for the power supply markets. Its products increase efficiency in power systems, while delivering new levels of system size, cost, and performance.

"What we've done is invented and developed the world's most efficient power switch that goes into a power supply, such as a computer, laptop, phone, or iPod," Granahan further clarifies. "The efficiency of that switch allows the end product to operate much more efficiently than without our component."

Recognizing market opportunity, the company focused on reducing worldwide energy consumption and conserving natural resources by delivering this very efficient power switch for use in consumer communication and computer applications.

"We often seek customers that value efficiency and a green product," says Granahan. "There are a number of companies in the world that are really focused on delivering high energy-efficiency, one such being Intel with their microprocessor chips in server applications. They've gone to great lengths to improve the energy efficiency of those solutions. Our product is used in conjunction with their microprocessors to make a more efficient server."

"The current market for our product is about $4 billion annually," Granahan says. "We had this idea for a very high-end performance product and felt it was a great business opportunity that would create a lot of value. We had investors who recognized that and benefited greatly from the creation of that value over the last four years. Our employees also benefited; we have created well-paid, sustainable jobs."

Granahan gushes enthusiastically about the assistance provided by the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania.

"They were the single most important state resource for us," he says. "When I thought about starting the company with my two other founders, I spoke with Chad Paul, their CEO, and after hearing about our concept, he made space for us in their headquarters."

Ben Franklin also aided CICLON by helping the company set up its infrastructure and implement a financial system.

"They helped us with many of the deep overhead types of items in setting up the company and were very much engaged and supportive in making these things happen. This allowed us to focus on building the product," adds Granahan.

Eventually, CICLON outgrew the office space in Ben Franklin’s headquarters and moved into Ben Franklin TechVentures, an incubator facility/post incubator facility run by Ben Franklin Technology Partners. Two years ago CICLON became the anchor tenant of that new incubator.

"They provided us with this great technology environment that helps us to develop technologically advanced products," says Granahan. "That allowed us to access chemical-handling and other important capabilities that are difficult to identify through a typical commercial realtor."

The greatest challenge that the company now faces is its ability to constantly innovate at the tremendous speed required in the semiconductor industry. Although it boasts of the world's most efficient power switch, Texas Instruments Lehigh Valley needs to continue to maintain its competitive edge.

"We need to innovate beyond what we already have been able to accomplish," Granahan says. "We also need to improve the cost efficiency side and frequency of the product, as well as attract the technical talent to this new business unit. There are a lot of colleges and universities in the Lehigh Valley area, and we need to make sure we're attracting the best and brightest if we want to continue to succeed."

But Granahan left no doubt that he expects his company to continue to flourish in the state. Being acquired by TI was the culminating step in positioning CICLON for growth.

"As part of the world's largest semiconductor company, and with access to a manufacturing infrastructure that is second to none in the world, we're well-positioned for growth because of the manufacturing capability and capacity," says Granahan. "Our near-term goals are to get the team integrated into TI and take advantage of all the value of their technology and balance sheet to grow this site rapidly. Longer term, we want grow this company into a multi-million dollar business in Pennsylvania."