Azimuth Ramps Up

802.11 test gear startup Azimuth Systems Inc. has scored a further $10.5 million in VC funding, investment the company hopes will enable it to break into new wireless markets (see Azimuth Raises $10.5M).

Founded in 2002, the Acton, Mass.-based company has developed a test system for the lab that plays on the benefits of removing unpredictable radio signals when testing the networking performance of wireless LAN clients and access points (see 802.11 Startup Targets Testing).

In an interview with Unstrung today, CEO Ray Cronin suggests the startup is now eager to extend its wireless technology portfolio.

“We will continue with new wireless technologies, not only with WiFi but outside of WiFi. We haven’t announced details but we will be looking at moving the platforms into a broader base of applications.”

To date the company has announced wireless LAN vendors Broadcom Corp. (Nasdaq: BRCM) and Symbol Technologies Inc. (NYSE: SBL) as high-profile customer wins (see Broadcom Picks Azimuth).

“We have well over 20 customers in total,” claims Cronin. “The rest of the customers have similar stature and we hope to announce some of them in the next few weeks... We have customers in North America, Europe, Taiwan, and Japan. As a result we have to scale up our customer support.”

Azimuth’s headcount stands at “around 50.” Today’s cash injection brings its total investment to $23.5 million.

— Justin Springham, Senior Editor, Europe, Unstrung