Valens Semiconductor Expands Industrial Connectivity Reach With Acroname Acquisition

Valens Semiconductor (NYSE: VLN), a leading provider of high-performance connectivity solutions, has acquired Acroname for $7.8 million in cash.

Acroname, based in Boulder, Colorado, is a leading supplier of high-end programmable USB hubs, switches, and test automation systems for industrial applications. With its expertise in software control, telemetry data, USB Power Delivery (USB-PD), and rugged build quality, Acroname's products have been widely adopted in manufacturing automation, AV conference rooms, managed IT services, mobile device management, and embedded robotic control systems.

The industrial and machine vision markets are rapidly transitioning toward USB-connected cameras, with USB3 Vision cameras now accounting for nearly 30% of the connectivity interfaces. The shift presents a significant opportunity for companies that can provide robust and efficient USB connectivity solutions tailored to the unique demands of industrial environments.

By combining Acroname's technology and expertise with Valens' innovative VS6320 chipset – the only single-chip 100m industrial-grade copper SuperSpeed USB extension on the market – Valens can now offer a holistic solution for USB peripherals. This solution encompasses both long-range extension and fully programmable, telemetry-rich switching of USB signals, addressing the limitations of traditional USB connectivity.

The acquisition was completed for a purchase price of $7.8 million in cash, plus an additional $1.3 million in cash held by Acroname at closing. Furthermore, Valens may be obligated to pay the sellers earn-out payments of up to $7.2 million, contingent on the achievement of certain revenue, EBITDA, cashflow targets in 2024 and 2025, and the development of a specific product by June 2026.