Ferfics

Ferfics Limited was a semiconductor company established in Cork, Ireland, in 2007 by founder and CEO Eugene Heaney. The founders possessed extensive experience in the technology sector, with careers at major companies like Motorola, Tyco, and Intel. Ferfics focused on developing high-performance, integrated radio frequency (RF) semiconductor components. Its primary product was a high-tech microchip designed to significantly improve the battery life of mobile phones and wireless devices. The company asserted that its components could be manufactured at a fraction of the cost of competing products.

The business model centered on designing these specialized microchips and then having them produced by manufacturing partners in the United States, which possessed the necessary technology for high-volume production. Ferfics intended to sell its switch components to module makers, who would then integrate them into commercial products. The company's target market included major international wireless device manufacturers such as Nokia, Apple, Samsung, and Motorola. Its operations spanned the cellular, Wi-Fi, wireless infrastructure, and set-top box markets.

In November 2010, Ferfics secured a significant funding round of €1.7 million ($2.24M). This investment was led by The Ulster Bank Diageo Venture Fund and included participation from The AIB Seed Capital Fund and Enterprise Ireland. The capital was earmarked for commencing full production, expanding its research and development team, and scaling its sales and marketing efforts. Following the investment, the company planned to create up to 30 high-technology jobs in Cork. The company was chaired by Kevin Fielding, former President and CEO of ParthusCeva. Despite its promising start and technology, Ferfics ceased operations and is now considered a deadpooled company, having entered liquidation in September 2017.

Keywords: semiconductor components, RF microchips, radio frequency, wireless devices, mobile phone battery life, fabless semiconductor, wireless connectivity, integrated circuits, RF switching, antenna tuning, cellular components, Wi-Fi components, set-top box components, Eugene Heaney, AIB Seed Capital Fund, Enterprise Ireland, Ulster Bank Diageo Venture Fund, ParthusCeva