Cambridge GaN Devices
Cambridge-based startup making gallium nitride power semiconductors for energy-efficient power conversion.
Last refreshed: 14 June 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
Can Cambridge GaN Devices break silicon's grip on power electronics before a larger chip company buys it?
Timeline for Cambridge GaN Devices
Closed $32m Series C for gallium nitride power semiconductors
UK Startups and Innovation: DSIT scorecard maps the funding barbell- What is gallium nitride and why is it better than silicon for power electronics?
- Gallium nitride (GaN) transistors switch faster and dissipate less heat than silicon equivalents, making them more efficient for high-frequency power conversion in applications like EV chargers, data-centre power supplies, and grid inverters.Source: Lowdown
- How much did Cambridge GaN Devices raise in its Series C?
- Cambridge GaN Devices raised $32m in a Series C in June 2026, funding commercial scaling of its GaN power transistors for EV and data-centre markets.Source: Lowdown
- Is Cambridge GaN Devices a University of Cambridge spinout?
- Yes. Cambridge GaN Devices originated as a spinout from the University of Cambridge's engineering department, commercialising GaN power transistor research developed there.
Background
Cambridge GaN Devices raised a $32m Series C in June 2026, backing commercial scaling of its gallium-nitride (GaN) power transistors. GaN transistors switch faster and dissipate less heat than the silicon equivalents that dominate power electronics, making them attractive for electric vehicle chargers, data-centre power supplies, and grid infrastructure where efficiency at high switching frequencies matters. The company is a spinout from the University of Cambridge's engineering department.
Gallium nitride power devices have existed in research settings for decades, but commercial reliability and yield at competitive cost have been elusive. Cambridge GaN Devices' approach addresses both by designing transistors optimised for commercial manufacturing processes rather than bespoke research fabs. The Series C follows earlier rounds and will fund expanded production capacity and customer design-in programmes with power-electronics manufacturers.
The company sits at the intersection of the UK's semiconductor ambitions and the global push for energy-efficient power conversion. Data centres are under growing pressure to improve power usage effectiveness (PUE) ratios, and EV charging infrastructure is expanding rapidly across Europe. Both markets reward higher switching efficiency. Cambridge GaN Devices' valuation trajectory and customer pipeline will determine whether it becomes a standalone public company or an acquisition target for a larger power-semiconductor group.