Chepstow based SOMNIUM® Technologies – a hi-tech company with big ambitions – has been selected to support some of the world’s major international semiconductor vendors with their next generation of embedded software development tools.
SOMNIUM’s software products are used by designers when writing programmes for embedded silicon chips to run and control systems ranging from domestic appliances to mobile phones. Their software products enable software designers to increase performance, provide greater energy efficiency and help take products to market faster.
Working in a highly competitive niche market dominated by large corporations, SOMNIUM’s expertise and innovative products has enabled the business to secure clients across the world and make a significant impact on the global Microelectronics and Embedded Systems industries.
The company moved to Wales to take the business to the next level and is one of the latest success stories from the Welsh Government’s High Potential Starts programme that provides extensive bespoke support and advice for technology businesses with high growth potential.
The company has already been selected by a number of the world’s leading chip manufacturers to support their suite of products including Freescale Semiconductor, a leader in embedded processing solutions for the automotive, consumer, industrial and networking markets.
Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Freescale Semiconductor is one of the Top 100 global innovators, and ranked as number 2 in the microcontroller market revenue (Gartner 2013). SOMNIUM provide software development tools for Freescale’s Kinetis range of microcontrollers, and have recently been promoted to a Freescale Proven Partner.
SOMNIUM is working with a number of other major international companies, including Cambridge based ARM group which is at the heart of the world’s most advanced digital products and whose technology powers over 95% of smartphones.
Economy Minister Edwina Hart said: ”We are creating an environment for business growth in Wales supporting hi-tech companies to reach their high growth potential. We need innovative, ambitious companies like SOMNIUM Technologies that have a global reach and their decision to move to Wales is a clear illustration that our strategies are working. They have made significant strides in a highly competitive field and I wish the company every success in the future.”
SOMNIUM has spent a number of years researching and patenting new technologies, developing new products and techniques with major product launches scheduled for 2015.
Its executive team, which includes Dave Edwards (CEO/CTO) and David Sykes (Chairman), has 100+ man years’ experience combing business development, operations, microprocessor design and software engineering leadership roles at start-ups through to major international companies.
Dave Edwards said: “We are a rapidly expanding business with ambitious targets and plan to expand our commercial engagements to include all the major industry players across the globe. The deals we have secured to date are a testament to the quality of our team and products.
“We moved to Wales because of the impressive business support environment and local business suppliers and have not been disappointed. We have received invaluable advice and support from the Impact Innovation team delivering the High Potential Starts programme for the Welsh Government and have been able to access a range of added value services from both experienced entrepreneurs and professional advisers.”