Crocus Technology
Crocus Technology was a semiconductor company specializing in integrated, high-performance magnetic sensors based on tunneling magnetoresistance technology.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Crocus Technology was a venture-capital-backed semiconductor company founded in Grenoble, France, in 2004. Its origins were connected to research conducted at the Spintec laboratory, a center associated with spintronic and magnetic-device research. The company initially developed Magnetic Logic Unit, or MLU, technology for stand-alone and embedded spin-transfer and magnetic random-access memory applications. Over time, it concentrated its business on integrated magnetic-field sensing rather than maintaining a broad memory-product focus. Crocus's core technology used the tunneling magnetoresistance effect to detect magnetic fields and convert them into electrical signals. This enabled compact, high-performance sensors intended for applications where contactless position, motion, current, speed, angle, or switching detection was valuable. Its product portfolio included magnetic switches, magnetic latches, angle sensors, and related magnetic-field sensing components. The company also developed sensor solutions for flexible displays and promoted its technology for automotive, consumer-electronics, industrial, and medical Internet-of-Things applications. The company retained an engineering presence in Grenoble while moving its corporate headquarters to Santa Clara, California. In 2022, it relocated its California headquarters from Santa Clara to Milpitas. This transatlantic structure reflected Crocus's French research origins and its efforts to serve the North American semiconductor and electronics ecosystem. Manufacturing was supported through a strategic relationship with Tower Semiconductor. Announced in 2009, that arrangement provided for dedicated equipment at Tower's 200-millimeter Fab 2 facility and for Tower to manufacture Crocus technology. Tower also took an equity position in Crocus. Crocus introduced its first magnetic-sensor product in 2015. Its later activities focused on integrated, high-performance magnetic sensors supported by an intellectual-property portfolio covering tunneling magnetoresistance, memory, and sensor design. The company reported holding 154 patents supporting its products and technology. Its investors included Idinvest Partners, CDC Innovation, Enterprises et Patrimoines, Nano Dimension, Sofinnova Partners, Sofinnova Ventures, and Ventech. On October 31, 2023, Allegro MicroSystems completed its acquisition of Crocus Technology for $420 million in cash. The transaction ended Crocus's existence as an independent company and placed its sensor technology and related intellectual property within Allegro's broader magnetic-sensing business. Crocus is therefore best understood historically as a specialist semiconductor technology company and acquired sensor brand, rather than as an active independent consumer-electronics brand.
History
Crocus Technology was established in Grenoble in 2004 from research associated with the Spintec laboratory. The company's early work centered on spintronic memory and magnetic logic. Its Magnetic Logic Unit technology was developed for stand-alone and embedded magnetic random-access memory applications, reflecting the company's initial interest in using magnetic states for non-volatile data storage and logic functions. As its business developed, Crocus narrowed its focus toward magnetic sensing. The company applied tunneling magnetoresistance technology to integrated devices capable of detecting magnetic fields without physical contact. This approach supported products for switching, latching, angular measurement, position detection, and other sensing tasks. Crocus continued to maintain engineering operations in Grenoble, while its corporate headquarters eventually moved to Santa Clara, California, placing the company closer to the United States semiconductor and electronics market. In 2022, the California headquarters moved again, from Santa Clara to Milpitas. A significant manufacturing relationship was announced on June 18, 2009, when Crocus entered into a partnership with Tower Semiconductor. The parties planned to dedicate special equipment at Tower's 200-millimeter Fab 2 facility so that Tower could manufacture Crocus technology. Tower also acquired a $1.25 million equity position in Crocus. The arrangement gave Crocus access to established semiconductor manufacturing infrastructure while allowing Tower to participate financially in the company's development. Crocus introduced its first magnetic sensor product in 2015. Thereafter, the company emphasized integrated, high-performance magnetic sensors for automotive, consumer, industrial, and medical Internet-of-Things uses. Its offerings included magnetic switches, magnetic latches, and angle sensors using the tunneling magnetoresistance effect. The company also described sensor applications for flexible displays. Its technology portfolio was supported by patents covering tunneling magnetoresistance, memory, and sensor design; the company reported 154 patents. Crocus was backed by venture investors including Idinvest Partners, CDC Innovation, Enterprises et Patrimoines, Nano Dimension, Sofinnova Partners, Sofinnova Ventures, and Ventech. On October 31, 2023, Allegro MicroSystems completed the acquisition of Crocus for $420 million in cash. The acquisition brought Crocus's magnetic-sensing technology and intellectual property into Allegro's business and concluded Crocus Technology's operation as an independent company.
- 2023
Acquisition by Allegro MicroSystems
[1]Allegro MicroSystems completed the acquisition of Crocus Technology for $420 million in cash on October 31, 2023.
- 2022
California headquarters moves to Milpitas
[1]The company relocated its California headquarters from Santa Clara to Milpitas while retaining its Grenoble engineering base.
- 2015
First magnetic sensor product
[1]Crocus introduced its first magnetic sensor product based on its tunneling-magnetoresistance technology.
- 2009
Tower Semiconductor manufacturing partnership
[1]Crocus and Tower Semiconductor announced a manufacturing and investment arrangement involving Tower's 200-millimeter Fab 2 facility and a $1.25 million Tower equity investment.
- 2004
Crocus Technology is founded in Grenoble
[1]Crocus Technology was founded in Grenoble, France, based on research associated with the Spintec laboratory.
Products and positioning
A specialist semiconductor technology company focused on compact, high-performance magnetic sensing and spintronic devices for automotive, consumer, industrial, and medical IoT applications.
Semiconductor sensors · 2015
Integrated magnetic-field sensors
Crocus's principal later-generation products were integrated magnetic-field sensors using tunneling magnetoresistance. They were designed to detect magnetic fields in compact electronic systems and could support contactless switching, position, motion, speed, current, and angular measurement. Target markets included automotive electronics, consumer products, industrial equipment, and medical Internet-of-Things devices.
Magnetic sensors
Magnetic switches and latches
These devices used the tunneling-magnetoresistance effect to provide contactless switching or latching functions. They were intended for embedded applications where low-profile, solid-state magnetic detection could replace or complement mechanical switching components.
Position and angle sensors
Magnetic angle sensors
Crocus offered angle-sensing products based on TMR technology. These sensors were intended to measure the angular position of a magnetic target, making them relevant to motion-control, automotive, industrial, and other electronic systems requiring contactless rotational measurement.
Spintronic memory and logic
Magnetic Logic Unit technology
Magnetic Logic Unit technology was Crocus's early platform for stand-alone and embedded spintronic MRAM. It represented the company's initial emphasis on magnetic memory and logic before the business concentrated more fully on integrated magnetic-field sensors.
Display-related sensors
Flexible-display sensors
Crocus developed magnetic sensor solutions for flexible-display applications. These products extended the company's TMR capabilities into display-related electronics, although the available reference material does not identify specific commercial product names or launch dates.
Brand decisions
2023
Sale to Allegro MicroSystemsM&ABackground
Allegro MicroSystems sought to expand its magnetic-sensing capabilities through the acquisition of Crocus's technology and intellectual property.
Action taken
Allegro completed the acquisition of Crocus Technology in an all-cash transaction.
Aftermath
Crocus ceased operating as an independent company, and its sensor technology became part of Allegro MicroSystems.
Acquisition consideration. $420 million in cash (Completed October 31, 2023)
2015
Launch of first magnetic sensor productProduct launchBackground
Crocus shifted its emphasis from early magnetic-memory and logic development toward integrated magnetic sensing.
Action taken
The company introduced its first magnetic sensor product based on its tunneling-magnetoresistance technology.
Aftermath
Magnetic sensors became the company's principal commercial focus, serving automotive, consumer, industrial, and medical IoT applications.
2009
Outsource manufacturing through Tower SemiconductorStrategyBackground
Crocus needed semiconductor manufacturing capacity for its magnetic and spintronic technology while operating as a venture-backed specialist company.
Action taken
The company partnered with Tower Semiconductor, which planned to dedicate equipment at its 200-millimeter Fab 2 facility and manufacture Crocus technology. Tower also invested $1.25 million in Crocus.
Aftermath
The arrangement provided Crocus with access to established foundry infrastructure and aligned Tower financially with the company's development.
Tower equity investment. $1.25 million (2009)
Recent events
- 2023
Allegro MicroSystems completes acquisition of Crocus Technology[1]
M&A
Allegro MicroSystems completed its acquisition of Crocus Technology for $420 million in cash, ending Crocus's independent corporate status.
- 2022
Crocus Technology relocates California headquarters to Milpitas[1]
Other
Crocus moved its California headquarters from Santa Clara to Milpitas while retaining its engineering base in Grenoble.
- 2015
Crocus Technology introduces its first magnetic sensor product[1]
Product launch
The company introduced its first magnetic sensor product based on its tunneling-magnetoresistance technology, marking a shift toward integrated magnetic sensing.
- 2009
Crocus Technology partners with Tower Semiconductor on manufacturing and investment[1]
M&A · Other
Crocus Technology announced a partnership with Tower Semiconductor under which Tower would dedicate equipment at its 200-millimeter Fab 2 facility and manufacture Crocus technology. Tower also made a $1.25 million equity investment in Crocus.
Sources3 sources
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