Qualtré

Qualtré, Inc. operated as a semiconductor company specializing in the development of solid-state, silicon micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) based motion sensors. Founded in 2005 based on research from Dr. Farrokh Ayazi at Georgia Tech's Integrated MEMS Laboratory, the firm aimed to commercialize next-generation gyroscopes and accelerometers. The company was headquartered in Marlborough, Massachusetts, and focused on displacing existing sensor technologies with its proprietary Bulk Acoustic Wave (BAW) and High Aspect Ratio PolySilicon/Single-Crystal Silicon (HARPSS) process technologies.

The company's core business involved designing and supplying these advanced inertial sensors for a diverse client base across the consumer electronics, industrial, and automotive markets. Its products were engineered for applications in cellular handsets, gaming controllers, personal navigation devices, and digital camera image stabilization. Qualtré's business model centered on leveraging its BAW MEMS gyroscope technology to offer superior performance, particularly in terms of bias stability and resistance to vibration and shock, at a significant price-performance advantage over competitors. The technology's key differentiator was its operation at high frequencies (2–10 MHz) compared to the low frequencies (5–50 kHz) of conventional sensors, making them more robust for demanding applications.

After successfully raising multiple funding rounds, including a Series A in 2008, a Series B in 2010, and a Series C in 2014 from venture capital firms like Matrix Partners and Pilot House Ventures, the company focused on productization and market penetration. In December 2016, Panasonic Corporation acquired all of Qualtré's intellectual property assets and hired its key personnel, marking the culmination of the startup's journey. This acquisition integrated Qualtré's advanced sensor technology into Panasonic's broader portfolio for industrial and automotive applications.

Keywords: MEMS sensors, Bulk Acoustic Wave, gyroscopes, accelerometers, inertial sensors, semiconductor, motion sensing, HARPSS, Panasonic acquisition, consumer electronics sensors