Global PCB Connections: Rigid-flex and Flexible PCBs—The Backbone of Modern Electronics
Flexible Thinking: The Key to a Successful Flex Circuit Design Transfer
Happy’s Tech Talk #29: Bend-to-Install Semi-flex FR-4
BMW i Ventures Invests in Flexible Circuit Tech with CelLink
October 31, 2019 | BMW i VenturesEstimated reading time: 1 minute
BMW i Ventures has recently invested in CelLink, a San Carlos, CA-based manufacturer of flexible circuit technology that delivers high-conductance, large-area, lightweight, and low-cost flexible circuits through a proprietary combination of manufacturing processes, designs, and materials. The investment arm of BMW, aimed at finding advanced technologies and trailblazers for the Bavarian Group participated in a $22.5 million Series B funding round alongside Ford Motor Co. and Robert Bosch Venture Capital.
The new funding is aimed at ramping up production of large-area flexible circuits for power and data transmission and will support CelLink’s operations as it scales up existing production contracts and transitions several projects into full-scale production. CelLink will continue to ramp production in its first manufacturing facility through 2019, and the company intends to bring a new production facility online in the 2020-21 timeframe to meet additional demand.
“We believe CelLink’s technology will transform wire harnessing from an ‘old school’, simple technology to a more advanced, integrated, multi-purpose, flexible circuit technology with more functionality and lower cost. Automotive wiring is finally becoming high tech,” said Marcus Behrendt, partner at BMW i Ventures.
“CelLink was founded eight years ago on the premise of providing interconnect solutions to the solar industry. We are thrilled that the core innovations that we developed have evolved into a new type of flexible circuit that addresses the growing challenges of vehicle wiring and light-weighting, battery wiring, and energy-efficient lighting applications,” added CEO and co-founder Kevin Coakley.
The US-based company is specialized in creating lightweight, low-cost circuits which can be used to replace bulky harnesses used on cars today. Conventional wiring is to be replaced in the near future with thin conductive circuits sandwiched between two sheets of flexible plastic. This way, the company claims it can reduce weight brought on by circuitry by anything between 70%-90%.
Share on:
Suggested Items
Flexible Printed Circuit Board Market to Reach US$40.447 Billion by 2030
07/10/2025 | Globe NewswireThe flexible printed circuit board market will grow at a CAGR of 8.28% to be valued at US$40.447 billion in 2030 from US$27.17 billion in 2025.
Taiwan PCB Industry Adopts Cautious CapEx Strategy, Eyes AI and Southeast Asia for Growth
07/10/2025 | TPCADriven by the stabilization of the global electronics market and the strong demand for AI applications, although the Taiwan printed circuit (PCB) industry is facing a trend of capital expenditure convergence for three consecutive years, its output value and operating performance continue to rise, indicating that the industry is shifting from high investment to high added value development, and the industrial structure is undergoing a steady transformation.
IBIDEN Earns Recognition in FTSE Russell ESG Indexes, Reinforcing Commitment to Sustainable Growth
07/07/2025 | IBIDENIBIDEN Co, Ltd. is pleased to announce that it has been selected for FTSE4Good Index Series for the tenth consecutive year, FTSE Blossom Japan Index for the nineth consecutive year, and FTSE Blossom Japan Sector Relative Index for the fourth consecutive year.
Symposium Review: Qnity, DuPont, and Insulectro Forge Ahead with Advanced Materials
07/02/2025 | Barb Hockaday, I-Connect007In a dynamic and informative Innovation Symposium hosted live and on Zoom on June 25, 2025, representatives from Qnity (formerly DuPont Electronics), DuPont, and Insulectro discussed the evolving landscape of flexible circuit materials. From strategic corporate changes to cutting-edge polymer films, the session offered deep insight into design challenges, reliability, and next-gen solutions shaping the electronics industry.
Flexible Electronics Market to Reach $66.9 Billion by 2032, Growing at a CAGR of 9.2% from 2025
06/30/2025 | PRNewswireThe flexible electronics market is projected to reach $66.9 billion by 2032, up from an estimated $38.4 billion in 2025, growing at a robust CAGR of 9.2% during the forecast period.