The Austin Chamber of Commerce and the Central Texas Regional Center of Innovation and Commercialization (CenTex RCIC) announce that the state of Texas has chosen RFMicron, a Central Texas microchip developer, as a recipient of an award funded through the Texas Emerging Technology Fund (ETF). Austin-based RFMicron, a company specializing in next generation radio frequency identifier (RFID) micro chips for itemized tracking applications, will receive a $250,000 project award to accelerate the commercialization of its innovative technology development.

“RFMicron is a perfect fit for Austin and we are proud to support such an innovative technology company in the Human Capital,” said Jeff King, Partner Haynes & Boone, LLP and Chairman of the CenTex RCIC. "Business leaders and experienced investors assisting the Centex RCIC have committed a great amount of effort in helping these Central Texas technology companies and, in doing so, help this region to maintain its technology edge."

RFMicron makes RFID tags that work in any geography and on any surface. By using a signal processing algorithm they are able to tune to the Radio Frequency range mandated by each region of the world while correcting for the surface on which the tag is being placed – whether it be metal, insulation or liquid. This is useful since RFID tags operate differently based on the material to which they are attached.

“The technology behind RFMicron, self-tuning RFID chips, has led to the resolution of two major obstacles in the RFID tagging industry,” said Isaac Barchas, Director Austin Technology Incubator. “It also demonstrates the vitality of Austin’s wireless technology companies and the infrastructure – from the State’s ETF to UT-Austin’s ATI-Wireless – available to support them.”

RFMicron was selected by the Centex RCIC after an extensive due diligence process based on multiple criteria including a stringent analyses of the market and financial opportunity, technology potential, management team and economic impact to Texas.

"The theoretical implications and advancement of such modern technology are far-reaching,” said Dr. Juan Sanchez, Vice President for Research University of Texas at Austin. “RFMicron adds an exciting new dimension to RFID integrated circuits and is certain to have an impact on Austin's flourishing technology industry."

About CenTex RCIC
The CenTex RCIC is a virtual center that operates out of the Austin Chamber of Commerce and serves as a catalyst for emerging technology research, development, commercialization and start-up incubation. In an effort to keep Texas globally competitive, the CenTex RCIC focuses on integrating technology development and commercialization in a 15-county region.

The CenTex RCIC works closely with the Chamber’s AusTech Alliance, a group of technology businesses and organizations working to consolidate efforts that strengthen the regional technology sector and to keep Texas globally competitive. The Central Texas Angel Network (CTAN), which aims to assist local entrepreneurs with investment opportunities, also works with the CenTex RCIC, ETF and the universities to identify capital for start-ups.