Sage is a private company, established in 1994. During its early years, Sage has developed a high level of expertise in digital display processing which its reflected in its current (Cheetah) series of products providing complete electronics solutions for Flat panel Displays ("FPDs") up to SXGA resolution. Launched in October 1997, the Cheetah range includes both asics, and complete board systems targeted at the OEM monitor and Embedded Systems Application Display markets, respectively. Sage has gained a number of design wins, opened channels for sales and distribution, built an effective operational infrastructure, and initiated and intensive development program for follow up products. During the course of its early stage development, Sage has sold over $18 million in flat panel controller electronics.
Originally, Sage was funded by the founders, and a number of prominent "angel" private investors, several of whom are actively involved in the Company. In 1998, Sage closed its first round of Venture Funding, led by Investar of San Jose. This round, aggregating $6.0 million, also included Kuang Hua Ventures as well as other angel investors interested in the opportunities in the flat panel market. This money has been spent on building up the Company's sales and marketing infrastructure, the development of multiple new products, and working capital as the level of shipments increases. In May 1999, sage closed a Series E round of fudning to provide an additional $3 million.
The Company has established foundry ties with Kawasaki, Fujitsu and TSMC. Sage's customers include major monitor OEMs in Asia, and distributors and direct embedded systems accounts in the USA.
The Company's professional partners include:
Accountants: Price Waterhouse, San Jose
Attornies: Morrison Foerster in san francisco
Bankers: General Bank, Cupertino
Sage's success depends on the growth of the digital display market, for desktop monitors, regular TVs, HDTVs, and portable and industrial displays. As prices of LCD panels continue to fall, and new, lower-cost alternate display media are developed, Sage expects the world to be converted to digital displays within ten years, and CRT to be obsolete. Sage expects to gain a significant share of this market and is targeting an IPO by the end of 1999
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