New Mexico-based Array Technologies to acquire APA Solar for $179 million

A lbuquerque-based Array Technologies later this year plans to acquire APA Solar, an Ohio-based company that produces solar racks and other foundation infrastructure.

If approved by regulatory officials, Array aims to close the $179 million deal in the third quarter of this year. After the acquisition, Array says it will sell integrated tracker and foundation systems in addition to its solar tracking technology.

“The market has been asking for an integrated tracker plus foundation platform — with this acquisition, ARRAY will be in a position to deliver it,” Array CEO Kevin Hostetler said in a statement. “We have a shared vision with APA for what our combined technologies can achieve for customers and I’m incredibly excited about the new opportunities we will be able to unlock together.”

Tech powerhouse acquires NM Venture Fund-backed startup

Enosemi, a photonic chip design firm with roots in New Mexico, is taking its partnership with multinational tech corporation AMD to the next level. California-based AMD last month announced it acquired Enosemi.

Enosemi is also headquartered in California, but its CEO, Matt Streshinsky, lives in Taos. That’s how he connected with New Mexico Vintage Fund partners, who poured $150,000 into the company last year.

The new acquisition will allow AMD to scale up its ability to develop a variety of photonics and optic solutions for next-generation artificial intelligence systems, according to a news release.

New Mexico Vintage Fund partners applauded the buyout.

“This is a huge win not only for Enosemi, but for New Mexico. We’ve known for a long time that New Mexico is a hub for technology, and this win underscores that,” said General Partner Jordan Clancy in a statement.

Startup launches AI-powered contracting analyst

“Are you still manually analyzing opportunities? Your competitors aren’t.”

This is a marketing strategy from Astradian Technologies, a small software development company based in Albuquerque. Astradian Technologies opened a waitlist this month for Procura, a new product powered by artificial intelligence that acts as a federal contracting analyst.

The AI system monitors federal databases around the clock, identifies trends in government contracting and compiles summaries of relevant opportunities. The company estimates the tech can save up to 95% of analysis time.

“Businesses shouldn’t have to spend months combing through federal databases just to find a handful of suitable opportunities,” said Astradian Technologies Founder and CEO Jacob Grass in a statement. “Procura automates that research so teams can focus on winning work instead of hunting for it.”

Interested companies can join the waitlist for the service online at https://procura.astradian.com/.

Sandia Labs teaches interns about microelectronics

Hoping to grow specific STEM workforces, Sandia National Laboratories is participating in a program hosting nearly two dozen interns this summer to conduct hands-on microelectronics work. It’s part of the Student Intern Group for Microelectronics Advancement, or SIGMA, institute.

Sandia is teaching interns at its Microsystems Engineering, Science and Applications Complex. The work will include microelectronics design and testing, fabrication engineering and packaging, with interns completing specific tasks like writing computer code, running scripts, testing devices and assembling circuit boards, according to Sandia.

“The government needs highly trained microelectronics experts that understand the industry, the technology and capabilities. Our focus is on creating a pipeline of interns who experience the value of national service and national security work,” said Alan Mitchell, recently retired manager of a Sandia workforce development team, in a news release.

“By showing students there are really cool jobs at Sandia, the hope is that we will have a population of interns that will be interested in longer-term careers at the Labs and other government agencies,” Mitchell said.