Lion Semiconductor
Lion Semiconductor was a fabless semiconductor company that designed power management integrated circuits (PMICs) and power-conversion ICs for consumer electronics OEMs, including Apple, Xiaomi, Google, and Sony. It was acquired by Cirrus Logic in 2021 for $335 million.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Lion Semiconductor does
Lion Semiconductor was a fabless semiconductor company specializing in power management integrated circuits (PMICs), with a particular emphasis on power conversion and control ICs. Founded in the early 2010s and headquartered in San Francisco, the company designed PMIC technology targeting consumer electronics OEMs, addressing power conversion efficiency, battery charging optimization, and thermal management in compact mobile devices. Its PMIC products were integrated into flagship smartphones from major OEMs including Apple (iPhone 13 Pro Max, part 338S00817), Xiaomi (part CS35L41), Google, and Sony. The company operated with a small team (1-10 employees) and an OEM-embedded go-to-market model, supplying PMICs through direct B2B engagements with smartphone manufacturers. Pricing was negotiated privately with each OEM rather than disclosed publicly.
The company pursued a venture-backed funding trajectory from 2012 through 2020, raising approximately $34 million across multiple rounds. Celesta Capital led several institutional rounds (Series 1 in 2013 and Series 2 in 2015), with additional capital from the National Science Foundation, Super Capital Group, and SkyDeck Berkeley. Leadership comprised co-founder Wonyoung Kim (CEO), co-founder John Crossley (VP of Technology), and director Dan Dobberpuhl. The company's revenue model relied on hardware sales of PMIC products to consumer electronics manufacturers, with limited public disclosure of pricing or unit volumes.
In 2021, Lion Semiconductor was acquired by Cirrus Logic, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRUS) for $335 million. The transaction was explicitly framed as a strategic expansion into power conversion/control ICs and fast charging solutions, integrating Lion Semiconductor's PMIC IP into Cirrus Logic's mixed-signal portfolio serving major consumer electronics OEMs. Since the acquisition, Lion Semiconductor has operated as a wholly-owned subsidiary within Cirrus Logic.
Lion Semiconductor firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Lion Semiconductor
- Legal name
- Lion Semiconductor
- Website
- https://lionsemi.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Acquired
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Lion Semiconductor was a fabless semiconductor company that designed power management integrated circuits (PMICs) and power-conversion ICs for consumer electronics OEMs, including Apple, Xiaomi, Google, and Sony. It was acquired by Cirrus Logic in 2021 for $335 million.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Lion Semiconductor industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Power Management Semiconductors
- NAICS
- Semiconductor and Related Device Manufacturing (334413)
- SIC
- Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Power Management & Power Conversion ICs (PMIC/DC‑DC/AC‑DC/Gate Drivers) (HDAHABAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Power Management ICs (PMICs) (HDAHAIAA), Power Management & Power ICs (HDAHAAAE)
Keywords
Where Lion Semiconductor is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Lion Semiconductor business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- PMIC Product Sales: Revenue generated from power management integrated circuit products sold to consumer electronics manufacturers. Following acquisition by Cirrus Logic, Lion Semiconductor's technology contributes to Cirrus Logic's product portfolio serving major smartphone OEMs.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels1 record
Lion Semiconductor product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Lion Semiconductor designed and sold power management integrated circuits (PMICs), with a specific focus on power conversion and control ICs for consumer electronics such as smartphones. Its PMIC products were integrated into flagship devices from major OEMs including Apple, Xiaomi, Google, and Sony. The company's technology was acquired by Cirrus Logic in 2021 for $335 million and now operates as a subsidiary contributing to Cirrus Logic's mixed-signal and power-related product portfolio.
Product overview
Lion Semiconductor was acquired by Cirrus Logic for $335 million. The source data does not contain specific information about Lion Semiconductor's individual products or service offerings. The available sources focus on Cirrus Logic's product portfolio, which includes audio codecs, amplifiers, haptic drivers, and power management integrated circuits (PMICs), with Lion Semiconductor mentioned only in the context of the acquisition.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Power Management Integrated Circuits (PMICs)
Companies that use Lion Semiconductor
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Lion Semiconductor technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Lion Semiconductor partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Cirrus LogiccoreCirrus Logic acquired Lion Semiconductor for $335 million in 2021. The acquisition strengthened Cirrus Logic's strategic focus on power conversion/control ICs and haptic drivers, integrating Lion Semiconductor's PMIC technology into Cirrus Logic's product portfolio serving major consumer electronics manufacturers.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights3 records
Lion Semiconductor competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- MediaTek: Mobile chipset vendor that integrates power management functionality on its SoCs, representing both a customer and competitive threat to external PMIC suppliers like Lion Semiconductor.
Direct peers
- Analog Devices: Major PMIC and power management IC supplier following the Maxim Integrated acquisition. Competes across mobile, automotive, and industrial power conversion markets.
- Dialog Semiconductor (Renesas): Was a leading PMIC supplier to Apple and other smartphone OEMs before being acquired by Renesas in 2021. Most direct historical competitor to Lion Semiconductor in mobile PMICs.
- Renesas Electronics: Acquired Dialog Semiconductor in 2021 to bolster its PMIC position in mobile and computing. Direct competitor in the smartphone PMIC market that Lion Semiconductor served.
- STMicroelectronics: Supplies power management ICs and voltage regulators for mobile, consumer, and industrial applications, competing in the same power conversion and DC-DC/PMIC space.
- Texas Instruments: Largest analog/mixed-signal IC supplier with a broad PMIC portfolio across mobile, industrial, and automotive. Most direct competitor in the power management IC space Lion Semiconductor addressed.
- NXP Semiconductors: Supplies PMICs and power management solutions for mobile, automotive, and IoT applications, overlapping with Lion Semiconductor's consumer electronics power conversion focus.
- Qualcomm: Dominant mobile SoC vendor with growing in-house PMIC integration (PMICs that ship with Snapdragon platforms), a key structural threat to external PMIC suppliers like Lion Semiconductor.
- ON Semiconductor: Supplies power management ICs for mobile, automotive, and industrial applications, including DC-DC converters and PMICs directly comparable to Lion Semiconductor's product focus.
Emerging players
- Silergy: China-based fabless PMIC specialist with significant share in smartphone charging and power management, a direct emerging competitor in the same mobile PMIC market Lion Semiconductor addressed.
Market position
Strengths3 records
Weaknesses3 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks4 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
Lion Semiconductor social profiles
Digital presenceLion Semiconductor financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Lion Semiconductor leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Lion Semiconductor funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds9 records
Investors4 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Lion Semiconductor M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Lion Semiconductor
What does Lion Semiconductor do?
Lion Semiconductor designed and sold power management integrated circuits (PMICs), with a specific focus on power conversion and control ICs for consumer electronics such as smartphones. Its PMIC products were integrated into flagship devices from major OEMs including Apple, Xiaomi, Google, and Sony. The company's technology was acquired by Cirrus Logic in 2021 for $335 million and now operates as a subsidiary contributing to Cirrus Logic's mixed-signal and power-related product portfolio.
Is Lion Semiconductor a public or private company?
Lion Semiconductor is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently acquired.
When was Lion Semiconductor founded?
Lion Semiconductor was founded in 2017. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Lion Semiconductor based?
Lion Semiconductor is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does Lion Semiconductor make money?
One revenue line is on record: PMIC Product Sales.
Who are Lion Semiconductor's main competitors?
MediaTek is listed as a broad incumbent. Direct peers are Analog Devices, Dialog Semiconductor (Renesas), Renesas Electronics, STMicroelectronics, Texas Instruments, NXP Semiconductors, Qualcomm and ON Semiconductor. Silergy is listed as an emerging player.
Does Lion Semiconductor have an API?
No public API is recorded for Lion Semiconductor.
What industry is Lion Semiconductor in?
Lion Semiconductor's product category is Power Management Semiconductors. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAHABAE, Power Management & Power Conversion ICs (PMIC/DC‑DC/AC‑DC/Gate Drivers), with a secondary code of HDAHAIAA, Power Management ICs (PMICs). Its NAICS code is 334413 and its SIC code is 3600.