Synplicity

Synplicity's software makes chip design simplicity itself. The company's software helps ease the design and verification of field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and other programmable logic devices (PLDs) -- integrated circuits used in communications systems and electronic devices. The company's customers include giants such as NXP and Siemens and it has alliances with chip companies including Atmel, Cypress Semiconductor, and Xilinx. The company was acquired by Synopsys for $223 million in May 2008.