Telecom Companies Enjoying Millions In VC Funding

VoIP Magazine has a short list of some telecommunications companies (including VoIP providers and hardware manufacturers) that have recently funding from venture capital firms and investment banks. VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol), like RFID, is one of those hot areas of technology right now. All indications are the IP telephony will eventually replace regular PSTN (public switched telephone network) systems, at some point in the future.

RFID Ltd To Acquire Four Radio Frequency Companies

RFID, Ltd (OTC: RFDL) has plans to buy four companies involved in the RFID market. As such, they informed their shareholders of a number of actions that they are taking to prepare for the acquisitions. This includes a repurchase of 1,000,000 shares of RFDL and discussions with investment banks and financial institutions. No details of the intended targets was given. [via biz.yahoo]

RFID, Ltd, is joining a growing list of companies buying out RFID businesses, including Barcoding and Weyerhaeuser.

Barcoding Inc Acquires RFID Company Acquity ID

US-based Barcoding, Inc. acquired RFID technology maker Acuity ID LLC. Acuity will be incorporated into Barcoding's CaptureTech division, to provide RFID solutions for inventory control and other uses. [via RFID News]
This acquisition reflects a growing trend of companies to acquire an existing company producing RFID-related technologies. Recently, forestry products giant Weyerhaeuser bought OrganicID.

Jobs At Aprilis Ventures (Toronto, Montreal)

Savour the idea of working for a venture capital firm? Aprilis Ventures of Toronto, Canada is looking to fill a number of positions, including VP Technology Services, Sr. Principal Web Developer, Sr. Web Designer, Sr. Unix System Administrator, Director of Online Sales, and Sr. Inside Sales reps. (The latter also has positions in Montreal, Canada and would likely require a candidate fluent in both English and French.)

Weyerhaeuser Buys Organic ID

Weyerhaeuser, the forestry products giant, has purchased RFID (radio frequency identification) device maker OrganicID. The latter's focus is in inventory control and supply chain management. No price was mentioned. [via Biz Journals] Weyerhaeuser will likely use the acquired technology for inventory control in their product packaging.

In related news, Weyerhaeuser will be delisting from the Pacific Stock Exchange, but will stay on the NYSE and CHX listings.

Philips Semiconductors Now NXP

Royal Philips recently announced that they would be spinning out their Semiconductor division. The new entity also has a new name: NXP, for "Next Experience". Under the new arrangement, 80.1% of the ownership is now held by a private investment group. The group is a consortium made up of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR) and three others. [via Contactless News]

A lot of the focus of Philips Semiconductors has been in RFID (radio frequency identification) technologies for a variety of uses including contactless payment systems.

Ford Motor Co To Go Private?

The troubled Detroit-based Ford Motor Company is considering going private in an effort to turn the company around. Shares have dropped down to the US$7-8 level. [via USA Today]

This is a company that is fiercely patriotic (to America), by all accounts, as are many of their pickup truck owners, from what media seems to portray. It's too bad, though, that they turned down a deal with foreign auto companies. If the company goes private, it's going to affect a lot of banks, investment firms, and mutual funds that own shares in the company.

This is an important company to the United States, and I hope they do the right thing, to protect as many jobs as they can.