Softeq

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Softeq Development Corp.

Company type| Private company
Founded| 1997; 27 years ago (1997)
Headquarters| Houston, Texas, United States

Area served

| Worldwide

Key people

| Christopher A. Howard
(Founder & CEO)[1]
Services|

* Hardware
* Embedded
* Mobile
* Web
* Desktop
* IoT
* Blockchain
* Robotics
* AR/VR solutions
* Game apps

Number of employees

| >500 (2023)
Website| www.softeq.com

Softeq Development Corporation is a privately held, full-stack development company focusing on low-level programming (drivers, firmware,) hardware, (from PCBs to full-scale devices), and software apps for web, desktop, and mobile.[2] Softeq builds end-to-end IoT and cloud infrastructure solutions, and provides technology business consulting services, and is an ISO 13485:2016 company with certified partnerships with Amazon, Microsoft, and Xamarin. Softeq serves Fortune Global 500 companies: Verizon, Epson, Purple Innovations, Microsoft, Lenovo, AMD, Disney, Intel, NVIDIA, and Halo by PAWS. From 2018 to 2021, Softeq appeared in Inc. 5000, the annual rankings of the fastest-growing privately-held companies in the United States. Softeq is headquartered in Houston, TX, with development centers in Vilnius, Lithuania, and Monterrey, Mexico[3] with offices in Munich, Germany, and London, United Kingdom.[4][5] Softeq has over 500 employees globally.[6]

## History

[edit]

Softeq was founded by Christopher A. Howard in Houston, Texas, the United States, in 1997. The name “Softeq” is a combination of the terms "software" and "technical". That year, the company secured Compaq as its first client, developing the Compaq PC Theater during the early days of the convergence of computers and television technology. Softeq was involved in app development for the HP iPAQ handheld PDA. In 2001, Compaq was acquired by Hewlett-Packard.[7]

In 2005, in partnership with Hewlett-Packard and the Walt Disney Company, Softeq developed the DURATEQ 3100 which is a ruggedized handheld device for assistive listening and closed-caption delivery. The system is installed in all Disney theme parks globally. Additional installations include over 50 US National Parks, the World of Coca-Cola museum, New England Patriots Hall of Fame, and the Dallas Cowboys AT&T Stadium.[citation needed]

In 2007, Softeq deployed a team of engineers to SanDisk to create advanced flash firmware and hardware visualization tools, technology now present in cameras, PCs, laptops, PDAs, memory sticks, and other electronic devices.[citation needed]

In 2008, the company opened a full-stack research and development (R&D) center in High Tech Park located in Minsk, Belarus, which became its development center, and now has 300 employees.[8][9]

In 2011, Softeq worked with NVIDIA for Bluetooth driver development, NVIDIA SHIELD streaming device, and an app for internal business operations. They also partnered with Intel Corporation for the development of software, firmware, hardware, and low-power wireless chipsets and SOCs.[citation needed]

In 2018, Softeq acquired NearShore Solutions GmbH. which was rebranded as Softeq Development GmbH and became Softeq's European sales office in Munich, Germany.[10]

In 2020, Softeq established a sales office in London, United Kingdom. In November 2020, Softeq Innovation Lab was launched, which is a virtual lab with online boot camps for corporate executives and product teams.[11]

In February 2021, Softeq opened a full-stack development center in Vilnius, Lithuania. Later that year, the company launched a startup accelerator program – Softeq Venture Studio.[12]

In 2022, Softeq Venture Fund,[13] was created to provide capital to the Softeq Venture Studio.[14][15]

Softeq is a Gold Application Development Partner of Microsoft, Xamarin Authorized Consulting Partner, and an official member of Apple Inc.’s MFi Program.[9]

## Brands

[edit]

### DURATEQ

[edit]

DURATEQ ATV is a rugged handheld device featuring Disney SyncLink Technology.[16][17] The solution was built relying on content development services by MGBH Media Access Group and R&D efforts in the field of media accessibility for disabled people by the Accessible Learning and Assessment Technologies group of NCAM.[18][19] DURATEQ is installed across multiple branches of the National Park Service,[20] including George Washington's Mount Vernon, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, the World of Coca-Cola Museum in Florida, the Hall at Patriot Place in Foxborough, MA,[21][22] AT&T Stadium in Dallas,[23][24][25] and the National Museum of the American Indian.

Softeq Venture Studio

Softeq Venture Studio is a startup accelerator established by Softeq in 2021.[26][27] The studio offers engineering and startup formation services and funding to early-stage startups in exchange for equity in their company.[28] Participant enrollment began in October 2021. In 2022, the studio organized two cohort cycles, bringing the total startups to 49.[29] The lists of participants include startups in wellness, med-tech, and sports-tech.[30][31]

Softeq Venture Fund

Softeq Venture Fund is a $40 million venture fund for technology startups established in 2022.[32] It provides capital to the Softeq Venture Studio and makes follow-on investments in seed and series A startup rounds in exchange for 6% equity in the eligible company. Jumana Capital,[13] a single-family office from Houston, Texas, invested in the fund in 2022.[31] Later that year, Royal Eagle Capital Partners – made a $3 million commitment.[33]

Softeq Innovation Lab

Launched in Houston, TX in 2020, Softeq Innovation Lab[34] is a virtual lab with online boot camps for corporate executives and product teams working on innovation projects.[35] Softeq Innovation Lab partners with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Massachusetts-based Boundless Technology. During the boot camp, attendees collaborate with entrepreneurs (such as David Rose of Warby Parker)[citation needed] to design and build a working prototype. The lab covers such technological fields as IoT, AI, computer vision, AR, MR, etc.

## Spinoffs

[edit]

### Softeq Flash Solutions

[edit]

Softeq’s spin-off became part of SK Hynix's R&D center for flash memory products. Softeq established a team of flash firmware and software engineers with experience in semiconductor and flash memory projects. The team was spun off as Softeq Flash Solutions.[36] In 2014, South Korean SK Hynix, the world's second-largest memory chip maker acquired the NAND Flash memory development unit of Softeq in Minsk leading to the formation of Softeq Flash Solution LLC.

### zGames

[edit]

zGames LLC, the game development brand of Softeq, was launched in 2008.[37] The company provides full-cycle game design and development services and makes casual, mixed reality, educational, and gambling apps for mobile, desktop, web, VR, and AR. zGames also remade several classic game titles, including Pong World[38] and QIX Galaxy.[39] In 2012, zGames won the Pong® Indie Developer Challenge by Atari, beating out over 100 other developers to recreate Pong for mobile gaming. zGames was spun off in 2012.[citation needed]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Chris Howard - CEO-in-Houston". about.me. Retrieved 2019-04-03.
2. ^ "Chris Howard - Softeq - Texas Business Radio". vimeo.com. Retrieved 2019-04-02.
3. ^ "Softeq Launches Development Center in Monterrey, Mexico". EIN Presswire. 2022-02-22. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
4. ^ "Houston-Based Softeq Launches $40M Venture Fund Designed for Early-Stage Tech Startups". www.businesswire.com. 2022-02-01. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
5. ^ "SOFTEQ GLOBAL, INC. | SMG". SMG. 2021-03-02. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
6. ^ "Softeq Announces New Limited Partner and Welcomes Q2 2022 Cohort of Startups". www.businesswire.com. 2022-06-06. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
7. ^ "CEO Talk: Chris Howard of Softeq". HardwareBee. 2021-09-21. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
8. ^ "Belarus cracks the code for IT success". fdiintelligence.com. Retrieved 2015-04-24.
9. ^ a b "Innovators create smart accessories for smart phones. By Purva Patel, HOUSTON CHRONICLE". Chron.com. Retrieved 2010-02-14.
10. ^ "#tech_talks: CEO of Softeq: technology is a byproduct of talent". KTU Startup Space. Retrieved 2023-05-24.
11. ^ Mathews, Chris (2023-11-23). "Softeq opening new Houston innovation lab, expanding European footprint". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2023-05-24.
12. ^ "Softeq Spins Off Development Venture". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
13. ^ a b "Houston-Based Softeq Launches $40M Venture Fund Designed for Early-Stage Tech Startups". AP NEWS. 2022-02-01. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
14. ^ "Softeq Launches Development Center in Monterrey, Mexico". EIN Presswire. 2022-02-22. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
15. ^ "Softeq Announces New Limited Partner and Welcomes Q2 2022 Cohort of Startups". www.businesswire.com. 2022-06-06. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
16. ^ "CC Video: Disney ACCESS™ System". disneysynclink.com. Retrieved 2015-04-24.
17. ^ "Disney ACCESS™: Handheld Device, Featuring Disney SyncLink™ Technology". disneysynclink.com. Retrieved 2014-07-11.
18. ^ "Disney Unveils First-of-its-Kind Outdoor Audio Description Technology for Guests with Disabilities". ncam.wgbh.org. Retrieved 2015-07-08.
19. ^ "BADCast Special – Champions In Accessibility Interview With NCAM". blindabilities.com. Retrieved 2015-07-08.
20. ^ "Softeq Hearing and Visual Impairment Assistance Device". disabled-world.com. Retrieved 2009-07-18.
21. ^ "Patriots' Museum Lets Deaf, Blind Experience Football". ablebody.com. Retrieved 2009-01-26.
22. ^ "Pats' hall of fame levels playing field". boston.com. Retrieved 2015-04-25.
23. ^ "Cowboys Stadium to offer new devices to help visually or hearing-impaired fans". dallasnews.com. Retrieved 2010-01-22.
24. ^ "New Wireless Captioning System Debuts at Dallas Cowboys Stadium". gtri.gatech.edu. Retrieved 2015-04-24.
25. ^ "Softeq Ramps Up Cowboys Stadium with Durateq Live". highbeam.com. Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2015-04-24.
26. ^ "Softeq Announces New Limited Partner and Welcomes Q2 2022 Cohort of Startups". www.businesswire.com. 2022-06-06. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
27. ^ "Softeq adds new startups for accelerator, investors for tech investment fund". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
28. ^ "Softeq Venture Studio funds 5 startups for fall 2021 cohort". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
29. ^ "Softeq Venture Studio Funds Investors Startups". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
30. ^ "Houston tech company adds 22 startups to its accelerator - InnovationMap". houston.innovationmap.com. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
31. ^ a b "Houston tech company launches $40M fund to invest in early-stage startups - InnovationMap". houston.innovationmap.com. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
32. ^ "Houston tech firm launches $40M venture capital fund to invest in tech startups". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
33. ^ "Houston tech company's venture studio names new partner and cohort - InnovationMap". houston.innovationmap.com. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
34. ^ "Softeq opening new Houston innovation lab, expanding European footprint". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
35. ^ "Houston-Based Softeq Launches $40M Venture Fund Designed for Early-Stage Tech Startups". www.businesswire.com. 2022-02-01. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
36. ^ "SK hynix acquires Softeq's firmware". koreaherald.com. Retrieved 2014-06-05.
37. ^ Vorobyov, Artyom (2013-02-11). "Postmortem: zGames' Pong World". Game Developer. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
38. ^ "Postmortem: zGames' Pong World". gamasutra.com. Retrieved 2014-07-11.
39. ^ "Qix Galaxy Review". Retrieved 2014-07-11.