$50m funding for Kinect tech firm PrimeSense
Israeli start-up takes more investment following Kinect success
PrimeSense, the Israeli company responsible for the key technology in Microsoft's Kinect sensor, has raised $50 million funding.
According to Globes, the new cash from Silver Lake and existing investors Gemini, Genesis and Caanan Partners, brings total investment in the company to $79 million.
Although the firm has seen a number of acquisition offers, president Aviad Maziels said that the company wants to remain part of the local industry.
"We constantly get acquisition offers, but we want to be part of an industry in Israel and we don't intend to be easily sold," he said.
PrimeSense technology allows interaction with consumer technology without the need for traditional controllers, instead using voice and physical gestures.
While Microsoft is the company's only videogame console partner, it is working with other companies in the entertainment and PC markets.
Microsoft's Kinect sensor has been a considerable success, selling over 8 million units since launch in November.
PrimeSense hopes to grow from 50 employees to 80 this year.