Alien Technology
Alien Technology is a privately held UHF RFID component provider founded in 1994, headquartered in San Jose, California, selling proprietary Higgs integrated circuits, inlays, tags, readers, and antennas to retail, apparel, transportation, life-sciences, and government customers globally through converters, VARs, and direct enterprise sales.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1994
- HeadquartersSan Jose, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Alien Technology does
Alien Technology is a privately held UHF RFID technology provider founded in 1994 and headquartered in San Jose, California, with manufacturing in Dayton, Ohio and regional offices across China, South Korea, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, India, and Australia. The company designs and sells passive UHF Gen-2 (EPCglobal / ISO/IEC 18000-6c compliant) RFID components — including the proprietary Higgs family of integrated circuits (Higgs-3, Higgs-4, Higgs-9, Higgs-10, and Higgs-EC), more than twenty inlay/tag form factors organized into the Squiggle, high-dielectric/automotive, specialized-retail, and compact-form-factor families, the ALR-F800 and ALR-9900+ fixed readers, the S350 handheld reader, and the ALR-8697/8698 circular-polarized antennas. Alien also operates an RFID Solutions Center in Dayton offering professional services including training, consulting, and certified testing through its EPCglobal-accredited test center.
The company's revenue model is primarily hardware sales — ICs sold to tag converters and OEMs (Bristol ID, CCL, Chicago Tag & Label, DSS Plastics Group), finished tags and inlays sold through channel partners, and readers/antennas sold direct and via certified VARs and system integrators. A secondary services stream covers implementation support, training, and consulting delivered through the same channel. Pricing is custom enterprise quotes based on volume and configuration, with multi-year contracts typical for large deployments. Go-to-market combines direct enterprise field sales (for complex rollouts), OEM/embedded IC sales (for converters embedding Higgs chips into finished labels), and a global channel network of more than 50 certified VARs, system integrators (AbeTech, CDO Technologies, RFID Global Solutions, CYBRA, Rockwell Automation, Siemens Logistics, Unisys), and regional distributors.
Alien serves approximately 1,500+ customers across five primary verticals: retail (inventory accuracy and shrinkage reduction), apparel/fashion (item-level tracking and brand protection), transportation/logistics (asset and baggage tracking — e.g., Polish Post, Fiji Airways), life sciences/healthcare (pharmaceutical serialization, specimen and device tracking under DSCSA and FDA mandates), and government (asset and document management). Named end customers include Polish Post, Fiji Airways, and Innolux. The company has cumulatively raised over $450 million across multiple funding rounds from 2000 through 2014, with notable investors including Advanced Equities, New Enterprise Associates, Rho Ventures, Sunbridge Partners, and more recently Shanghai Ruizhang Investment. As of the input, Alien Technology is actively operating as a going concern with a stabilized leadership team under CEO Weijie Yun, CTO Steve Wang, and President/CSMO Patrick Ervin, and Chairman Zhongrui Xia.
Alien Technology firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Alien Technology
- Legal name
- Alien Technology, LLC
- Website
- https://alientechnology.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1994
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Alien Technology is a privately held UHF RFID component provider founded in 1994, headquartered in San Jose, California, selling proprietary Higgs integrated circuits, inlays, tags, readers, and antennas to retail, apparel, transportation, life-sciences, and government customers globally through converters, VARs, and direct enterprise sales.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Alien Technology industry classification
Industry- Product category
- RFID Hardware and Components
- NAICS
- Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing (334220), Communications Equipment Manufacturing (3342)
- SIC
- Radio & Tv Broadcasting & Communications Equipment (3663)
- akta.pro primary industry
- RF Transceivers & RFIC SoCs (Cellular/Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth) (HDAHAMAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- RF Front-End Modules (FEMs) & Integrated RF Modules (HDAHAMAA), RF & Wireless Components/Modules (RF front-end, antennas, industrial wireless modules) (IMAGAJAG), Passive Filters & RF Passives (LC Filters/Diplexers/Baluns/Attenuators) (HDAHANAG)
Keywords
Where Alien Technology is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Jose
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices10 records
Markets served
Alien Technology business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- RFID Hardware Sales: Revenue from sale of RFID integrated circuits, tags, inlays, labels, and readers. Hardware products include Higgs ICs, ALR-F800 reader, ALR-9900+ reader, and various tag form factors sold to OEM customers, tag converters, and end-users.
- Professional Services: Implementation support, training, and technical consulting services delivered through certified channel partners to help customers deploy RFID solutions.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom enterprise pricing based on volume, product configuration, and deployment requirements |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
Alien Technology product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Alien Technology designs and manufactures UHF Gen-2 RFID components and solutions, including proprietary Higgs integrated circuits, RFID inlays/tags (Squiggle, G-Tag, Aviator, Tread, Bio, and other form-factor families), and dual-circular polarized antennas. It also provides fixed and handheld RFID readers and professional services through the Alien RFID Solutions Center for training, consulting, and certification.
Product overview
Alien Technology is a provider of UHF Gen-2 RFID components and solutions with a modular product architecture. The core product portfolio centers on the Higgs family of RFID integrated circuits (Higgs-3, Higgs-4, Higgs-EC, Higgs-9, Higgs-10), which power a comprehensive range of RFID tags and inlays. The tag portfolio includes the Squiggle family (Squiggle, Squiglette, Short, Squig, Doc) for general-purpose applications; specialized retail tags (Gecko, Glint, GT, GT-W, HiScan, Pearl, Spider-360) optimized for retail and apparel; and high-dielectric/automotive tags (Aviator, Tread, G-Tag, Wonder Dog, Bio) for challenging environments. The company also offers antennas (ALR-8697, ALR-8698) and professional services through its RFID Solutions Center. All products are EPCglobal Gen2 and ISO/IEC 18000-6c compliant, designed for item tagging, retail/apparel, transportation, life sciences, and other applications.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Higgs: Family of RFID integrated circuit chips including Higgs-3, Higgs-4, Higgs-9, Higgs-10, and Higgs-EC with various features for memory capacity, sensitivity, and reliability.
- Squiggle
- Squiglette
- Squig
- Short
- GT
- GT-W
- G-Tag
- Aviator
- Tread
- Gecko
- HiScan
- Pearl
- Glint
- Bio
- Wonder Dog
- Spider-360
- 2x2
- SlimLine
- Square
- SIT
- ALR Antenna Series
Products and services
- Higgs RFID Integrated Circuits (Higgs 3, Higgs 4, Higgs 9, Higgs 10, Higgs EC) Proprietary UHF Gen-2 RFID integrated circuits (chips) that power Alien Technology's family of inlays and tags and are also sold to converters and OEMs for RFID label and tag manufacturing.
- Alien RFID Tags and Inlays (Squiggle, G-Tag, GT-W, Aviator, Tread, Bio, Gecko, Glint, and related families) Application-optimized UHF Gen-2 RFID inlays and tags sold to enterprises and tag converters for item-level tagging, asset tracking, baggage handling, and supply-chain visibility.
- Alien RFID Antennas (ALR-8697, ALR-8698) Dual-circular polarized antennas used with Alien RFID readers to deliver reliable read performance in demanding RF environments, sold to enterprises and system integrators deploying RFID infrastructure.
- Alien RFID Readers and Reader Infrastructure (ALR-F800, ALR-9900+, handheld readers, Alien Reader Infrastructure) Fixed and handheld UHF Gen-2 RFID readers and supporting reader infrastructure software sold to enterprises and system integrators for endpoint visibility across supply-chain, retail, transportation, life sciences, and government deployments.
- Alien RFID Solutions Center (Training, Certification, Consulting, Professional Services) Professional services offering covering RFID training, certification, and consulting, sold to enterprises and partners deploying Alien RFID solutions.
Quantifiable outcome
- Reduced inventory shrinkage through accurate, real-time visibility of tagged items
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Alien Technology
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Alien Technology technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration10 records
Feature5 records
Alien Technology partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- IBMcorePlatform technology partnership for RFID integration with IBM enterprise platforms and systems.
- MicrosoftcorePlatform technology partnership for integration with Microsoft enterprise solutions and cloud platforms.
- OraclecorePlatform technology partnership for integration with Oracle enterprise systems and applications.
- EPC GlobalcoreStrategic membership in EPCglobal, the organization that maintains Electronic Product Code standards for RFID. Alien Technology holds EPCglobal Test Center Certification.
- AIM GlobalcoreStrategic membership in AIM Global, the global industry association for automatic identification and mobility technologies.
- Financial Services Technology ConsortiumminorParticipation in consortium focused on financial services technology standards and applications.
- BlueStarcoreDistribution partner for Western Europe, providing localized sales, support, and logistics for Alien Technology products in the region.
- Digital ChinacoreDistribution partner for China market, providing localized sales and support for Alien Technology products in the China region.
- ValidcoreDistribution partner for Latin America, providing localized sales and support for Alien Technology products in the LATAM region.
- Rockwell AutomationminorSystem integrator partner specializing in industrial automation and manufacturing RFID deployments.
- Siemens Logistics & AssemblyminorSystem integrator partner for logistics and manufacturing RFID solutions.
- UnisysminorIT services and consulting partner for enterprise RFID deployments.
- atlasRFIDstoreminorCertified VAR specializing in RFID hardware and accessories distribution.
- RFID Global SolutionsminorCertified system integrator offering RFID consulting and deployment services.
- Bristol IDcoreTag converter manufacturing RFID tags and inlays using Alien Higgs ICs.
- CCLcoreMajor tag converter manufacturing RFID labels and inlays using Alien Higgs ICs.
- Chicago Tag & LabelcoreTag converter manufacturing custom RFID labels using Alien Higgs ICs.
- DSS Plastics GroupminorTag converter manufacturing plastic-encapsulated RFID tags using Alien Higgs ICs.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Alien Technology competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- HID Global: Provider of RFID tags, inlays, and readers (including the Omni-ID portfolio) for industrial, asset tracking, and IoT use cases that overlap with Alien's industrial and specialty inlay portfolio (Tread, Wonder Dog, G-Tag).
- Checkpoint Systems: Retail-focused RFID and EAS solutions provider offering tags, labels, and source-tagging services that overlap with Alien's retail/apparel vertical and tag converter customers (Bristol ID, CCL, Chicago Tag & Label).
- STMicroelectronics: Global semiconductor manufacturer with NFC and UHF RFID IC products (including the former AMS RFID portfolio) that compete with Alien's Higgs IC family, particularly in industrial, automotive, and consumer IoT applications.
- Honeywell: Industrial conglomerate with RFID reader and mobile computing offerings (including the former Intermec and Sirit products) that compete with Alien's enterprise readers in supply chain, manufacturing, and transportation deployments.
- Zebra Technologies: Global enterprise asset intelligence company offering fixed and handheld UHF RFID readers, antennas, and RFID-enabled printers that compete with Alien's ALR-F800, ALR-9900+, and S350 reader platforms, especially in retail and logistics.
- Avery Dennison: Major manufacturer of RFID inlays and labels (including the Smartrac portfolio it acquired) that competes with Alien's tag and inlay portfolio across apparel, retail, and logistics, and is also a customer using third-party ICs (NXP, Impinj) in some product lines.
- NXP Semiconductors: Large semiconductor company whose UCODE RFID IC family competes directly with Alien's Higgs ICs at the silicon level across retail, logistics, automotive, and industrial tagging applications.
Direct peers
- Impinj: Leading provider of RAIN UHF RFID ICs (Monza/M700/M800 families), readers, and gateways; the most direct head-to-head competitor to Alien's Higgs ICs and ALR reader platforms in retail, apparel, and logistics.
- CAEN RFID: Specialist manufacturer of UHF RFID readers, tags, and modules focused on industrial and laboratory applications; a smaller but direct peer to Alien's reader and tag business in Europe and industrial verticals.
Emerging players
- ATID Co., Ltd. Korean manufacturer of UHF/HF RFID handheld readers, fixed readers, and tags that competes with Alien's S350 handheld and ALR-F800 reader lines, particularly in the Korean and broader APAC markets where Alien also operates.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Alien Technology social profiles
Digital presenceAlien Technology compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance7 records
Alien Technology financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Alien Technology leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Alien Technology funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds13 records
Investors19 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Alien Technology 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 Alien Technology
What does Alien Technology do?
Alien Technology designs and manufactures UHF Gen-2 RFID components and solutions, including proprietary Higgs integrated circuits, RFID inlays/tags (Squiggle, G-Tag, Aviator, Tread, Bio, and other form-factor families), and dual-circular polarized antennas. It also provides fixed and handheld RFID readers and professional services through the Alien RFID Solutions Center for training, consulting, and certification.
Is Alien Technology a public or private company?
Alien Technology is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Alien Technology founded?
Alien Technology was founded in 1994. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Alien Technology based?
Alien Technology is headquartered in San Jose, United States, in the North America region.
How does Alien Technology make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. RFID Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are professional Services.
Who are Alien Technology's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are HID Global, Checkpoint Systems, STMicroelectronics, Honeywell, Zebra Technologies, Avery Dennison and NXP Semiconductors. Direct peers are Impinj and CAEN RFID. ATID Co., Ltd. is listed as an emerging player.
Does Alien Technology have an API?
No public API is recorded for Alien Technology.
What industry is Alien Technology in?
Alien Technology's product category is RFID Hardware and Components. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAHAMAE, RF Transceivers & RFIC SoCs (Cellular/Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth), with a secondary code of HDAHAMAA, RF Front-End Modules (FEMs) & Integrated RF Modules. Its NAICS code is 334220 and its SIC code is 3663.