The fourth area of investing concentration is semiconductors, with a focus on communications and application-specific devices.  Semiconductor and related companies represent 25% of the 300 largest technology companies.  There is renewed interest in embedding complex algorithms into silicon in order to dramatically reduce the cost of industrial, communications and consumer products.  Investments in companies developing wireless and communications integrated circuits will support the drive to smaller and better-connected devices.

Mayfield has a long record of successful investment in this sector, with investments in MIPS, SanDisk and Silicon Graphics. Current portfolio companies in this space include Fultec, Inphi, Lattice Power, LV Sensors, Pixim, Ponté Solutions, and T-RAM.