IntelliEPI IR Inc., a Richardson-based manufacturer of compound semiconductors, has received a $100,000 incentive from the city to support its advanced research in infrared technologies.

The award—granted through the city’s Research Award Match Program (RAMP)—will be distributed in two $50,000 installments over the next two years, city officials said.

A spinout of Intelligent Epitaxy Technology Inc., IntelliEPI IR operates within the Richardson Innovation Quarter, known as The IQ. The company manufactures epitaxy-based compound semiconductors used in sensing and imaging applications. Earlier this year, it secured a $2 million Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II grant from the U.S. Department of Defense (Army Branch). The company applied for Richardson’s RAMP program to help advance its work in infrared semiconductor development.

“IntelliEPI IR strengthens Richardson’s reputation as a center for advanced semiconductor innovation,” Richardson City Manager Don Magner said in a statement. He said the city’s goal is to support ongoing research and development efforts, both within the community and in The IQ, and to build “a business environment where cutting-edge companies choose Richardson as the foundation to grow, innovate, and thrive.”

The new award adds to IntelliEPI’s growing presence in North Texas. In November, the company received the state’s first Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund grant—$4.1 million—to build out a 30,000-square-foot wafer production facility in Allen. The company is also a member of the Texoma Semiconductor Tech Hub.

According to the city, the new RAMP funds will support the development and operation of a capacitance-voltage measurement setup aimed at optimizing semiconductor materials for infrared applications.

IntelliEPI IR President Dr. Paul Pinsukanjana said the city’s matching funds will help accelerate innovation in a high-impact area. “With this recent RAMP award, the city has shown a continued commitment to foster local innovators,” he said. “This generous incentive matching package to our Phase II SBIR program will enhance our infrared capabilities and further ensure our success.”

IntelliEPI IR and its affiliate together employ around 80 people across two Richardson facilities. The city said the average employee salary is $95,000. Under the terms of the agreement, the company will maintain operations at its 23,000-square-foot Collins Boulevard location for at least five years.

More on RAMP and The IQ

Richardson launched the RAMP initiative to encourage local innovation by matching federal SBIR and STTR grant awards. The program is designed to accelerate research commercialization by reinforcing the city’s innovation ecosystem, which includes startups, industry leaders, and academic partners such as the University of Texas at Dallas.

The Richardson Innovation Quarter—or for short, The IQ—is a 1,200-acre urban technology district with deep roots in the region’s tech economy. The area has served as a hub for innovation since the 1950s, when it supported early aerospace and telecommunications development.

Today, The IQ is home to more than 1,100 businesses and 20,000 workers across sectors, including biotechnology, additive manufacturing, finance, software, and R&D. It also hosts multiple incubators aimed at entrepreneurial startups.

City officials said the environment is designed to foster creativity, collaboration, and growth.

Quincy Preston contributed to this report. 

Don’t miss what’s next. Subscribe to Dallas Innovates.

Track Dallas-Fort Worth’s business and innovation landscape with our curated news in your inbox Tuesday-Thursday.