Syntiant completes acquisition of Knowles’ Consumer MEMS Microphone division

Syntiant has completed the acquisition of Knowles (KN) Corporation’s Consumer MEMS Microphones business for $150 million in cash and stock. Knowles’ CMM division is an industry-leading manufacturer and supplier of high performance SiSonic micro-electro-mechanical systems microphones that are essential for voice and audio applications in smartphones, smart speakers and wearables, among other market segments, including autos and household appliances. More than 50 million Syntiant Neural Decision Processors and deep learning models have been deployed worldwide, delivering highly accurate, artificial intelligence in edge devices with ultra-low- power consumption. The integration of advanced MEMS sensors into Syntiant’s existing hardware-software capabilities provides customers with a total edge AI audio solution that simplifies product development and accelerates time-to-market, while remaining scalable, secure and customizable to fit a wide range of applications. Knowles’ CMM division generated revenue of approximately $256 million in 2023. The acquisition was financed through a collaborative effort led by Khazanah Nasional Berhad and Boardman Bay Capital Management, which provided equity funding, and Structural Capital, which arranged debt financing.