When we talk about Australian-born tech companies with the potential to change global industries, Morse Micro deserves a front-row seat. Founded in 2016 by Wi-Fi veterans Michael De Nil and Andrew Terry, the Sydney-based semiconductor startup has made itself the global flagbearer for Wi-Fi HaLow (IEEE 802.11ah) — a low-power, long-range version of Wi-Fi designed for the Internet of Things (IoT).
While Silicon Valley often claims the monopoly on disruptive innovation, Morse Micro shows that Australian engineering can lead the world in one of the most competitive arenas: wireless connectivity.
What Makes Morse Micro Different
Traditional Wi-Fi has been excellent for laptops and smartphones but ill-suited for smart meters, industrial sensors, and the growing ecosystem of always-on devices. Enter Wi-Fi HaLow: sub-1 GHz connectivity that promises 10× the range, 100× the area, and 1000× the volume of standard Wi-Fi — all while sipping power to enable multi-year battery life.
Morse Micro isn’t just following a standard, it’s shaping it. By building commercial-grade Wi-Fi HaLow system-on-chips (SoCs) and development kits, the company is lowering the barrier for manufacturers to adopt this new wireless frontier. Their newest innovation, the MM8108, unveiled at CES 2025, delivers up to 43 Mbps on sub-GHz bands, with high-end security (WPA3 SAE) and integration designed to cut costs and simplify deployment.
A Company with Credibility and Capital
What gives Morse Micro an edge is not just its technology, but its pedigree. Its founding team includes original Wi-Fi pioneers like Dr. John O’Sullivan and Professor Neil Weste — names synonymous with the creation of modern wireless connectivity. That kind of intellectual DNA commands respect in the semiconductor world.
Then there’s the money. Morse Micro has raised nearly A$200 million, including a Series B of A$170 million led by Japanese chipmaker MegaChips. With backing from Australia’s largest super funds and heavyweights like Ray Stata (Analog Devices), the company has the financial runway to scale. As of early 2023, Morse Micro was valued at around US$700 million, not bad for a startup less than a decade old.
Global Reach and Supply Chain Resilience
Unlike many startups that focus solely on R&D, Morse Micro has aggressively built out its global presence. From Sydney to Silicon Valley, Hangzhou to Cambridge, and Singapore to Bangalore, the company has positioned itself close to both talent and customers. Its dual supply chains in China and Taiwan, coupled with assembly and warehousing in Singapore, speak to a sophisticated risk strategy.. no small feat in an era of semiconductor geopolitics.
Why It Matters
If Morse Micro succeeds, Wi-Fi HaLow could become the backbone of IoT the way 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi became the backbone of the web. The applications are staggering: smart cities that don’t drain batteries, industrial automation that scales without constant maintenance, utility meters that stay connected for years, and consumer devices that finally balance convenience with sustainability.
And recognition is coming in. Awards like IoT Evolution Industrial IoT Product of the Year 2025 and Wi-Fi Now Best IoT Product 2024 validate Morse Micro’s position as a true innovator.
The Risks Ahead
That said, the road isn’t without risk. Wi-Fi HaLow is still an emerging standard, adoption depends on device makers, network vendors, and regulators embracing it at scale. Morse Micro also competes in a crowded space, against entrenched LPWAN alternatives like LoRaWAN and NB-IoT, not to mention the inertia of “good enough” Wi-Fi and cellular solutions. Scaling manufacturing, securing certifications, and supporting global customers will test the company’s ability to execute.
Enterprise Edge Take
At Enterprise Edge, we see Morse Micro as one of Australia’s most compelling deep tech stories, a rare semiconductor startup with both technical depth and global ambition. Its chips won’t just connect devices, they could reshape how infrastructure, cities, and industries interact with the digital world.
If Morse Micro pulls it off, Sydney won’t just be the birthplace of Wi-Fi HaLow’s champion, it will be remembered as the place where the next era of IoT connectivity was forged.