Beceem

Company name: Beceem
Where it's based: Santa Clara, Calif.
When it was founded: 2003
What year it was a Fierce 15: 2006
Website: www.beceem.com

Why it was a Fierce 15: Beceem was the first to release a terminal chipset based on the 802.16e mobile WiMAX standard, and invested heavily in the WiMAX space. Click here for more.

What has happened since it was awarded the Fierce 15: Beceem said it remains a fabless semiconductor company focused on the WiMAX market. Indeed, the company said that all of Clearwire's Clear-branded WiMAX terminals carry its silicon. The company said it released a number of new products last year, and is expanding into Japan and emerging markets such as Mexico, Brazil, Pakistan and elsewhere.