:View, Inc.

The company was co-founded in April 2007 by Paul Nguyen and Mike Scobey as eChromics.{{Cite news|url=https://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/2275375-181/venture-funding-tumbles-in-sonoma|title=Venture funding tumbles in Sonoma County|date=2009-04-24|work=Santa Rosa Press Democrat|access-date=2018-08-27}} Based in Santa Rosa, California .{{cite web|title=C.A. No. 11138-VCS: Paul Nguyen v. View|url=http://courts.delaware.gov/Opinions/Download.aspx?id=257660|publisher=Chancery Court of Delaware|date=June 6, 2017}}{{rp|4}} The company was renamed Soladigm in October 2007{{rp|4}} and appointed Rao Mulpuri as CEO in December 2008.{{Cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2014/01/07/view-100m-funding-smart-windows/|title=View soaks up $100M to make your windows smarter — and more environmentally friendly {{!}} VentureBeat|website=venturebeat.com|date=7 January 2014|language=en-US|access-date=2017-11-01}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/forever-young-tech-startups-like-hollywood-celebrities-fudge-their-age-1502461847|title=The Secret to Startup Success? Fudge Your Age|last=Haggin|first=Patience|date=2017-08-11|work=Wall Street Journal|access-date=2017-11-01|language=en-US|issn=0099-9660}} The firm moved its headquarters to Milpitas, California in a reconditioned Seagate Technology factory.{{Cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/paulnoglows/2013/12/11/through-a-glass-dynamically/#b28bb6a3e951|title=How View Is Reinventing Your Windows|last=Noglows|first=Paul|work=Forbes|access-date=2017-11-01|language=en}}

In July 2010, the company announced its intent to start production from a new facility in Olive Branch, Mississippi.{{Cite news|url=http://www.mercurynews.com/2010/07/29/soladigm-milpitas-company-that-makes-smart-windows-to-build-new-factory/|title=Soladigm, Milpitas company that makes 'smart windows,' to build new factory|date=2010-07-29|work=The Mercury News|access-date=2017-11-01|language=en-US}} The same year, it was one of 12 winners of General Electric's $200 million "Ecomagination Challenge".{{cite news |last1=Kolodny |first1=Lora |title=GE Invests In Makers of Solar-Powered Air Conditioners, And Eleven Others |url=https://techcrunch.com/2010/11/16/ge-nyc-1st-12-ecomagination/ |access-date=31 July 2018 |publisher=Tech Crunch |date=16 November 2010}} It received a $3.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.{{Cite web|url=https://www.energy.gov/articles/berkeley-lab-technology-spawns-successful-start-companies|title=Berkeley Lab Technology Spawns Successful Start-up Companies|website=Energy.gov|language=en|access-date=2018-05-28}}

The company name was changed to View, Inc. in November 2012 and began shipping from its new factory near the end of the third quarter of 2012.{{Cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/uciliawang/2012/11/12/a-startup-shows-off-smart-windows-in-san-francisco-hotel/#72cabba72576|title=A Startup Shows Off 'Smart Windows' In San Francisco Hotel|last=Wang|first=Ucilia|work=Forbes|access-date=2017-11-01|language=en}} In 2015, the company's glass was installed at the new Overstock headquarters in Salt Lake City.{{Cite news|url=https://www.heraldextra.com/business/local/view-dynamic-glass-utah-office-buildings-opting-for-wise-windows/article_e639d2d9-5181-5473-9a1d-93bd502b0f7b.html|title=View Dynamic Glass: Utah office buildings opting for wise windows|last=Herald|first=Karissa Neely Daily|work=Daily Herald|access-date=2018-06-03|language=en}}

In 2019, the OAA installed View Dynamic Glass at its headquarters.{{Cite web|url=https://www.canadianarchitect.com/the-oaa-wraps-up-headquarters-building-renewal/|title=The OAA Wraps Up Headquarters Building Renewal|date=2019-10-18|website=Canadian Architect|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-31}}

In 2024, View filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The company will go private and be taken over by its lenders, which will help reduce a large portion of its $350 million debt load.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-04-02/softbank-backed-window-maker-to-file-for-bankruptcy-to-cut-debt|title=SoftBank-Backed Window Maker to File for Bankruptcy to Cut Debt|date=April 2, 2024|access-date=April 2, 2024|website=Bloomberg|language=en}}

In October 2024, View laid off 147 workers in its Olive Branch, Mississippi factory after announcing plans to go private.{{Cite web|url=https://www.usglassmag.com/after-announcing-plans-for-privatization-view-inc-lays-off-147-workers/|title=After Announcing Plans for Privatization, View Inc. Lays Off 147 Workers|first=Drew|last=Vass|date=October 15, 2024|access-date=January 25, 2025|website=US Glass|language=en}}

In 2007, the company raised a Series A round of funding from Sigma Partners and Khosla Ventures, which later took over control of the company and received preferred shares.{{rp|5–6}}

In 2013, Corning led an investment round of $60 million for View. Madrone Capital Partners invested $100 million in the company in January 2014. The company received $150 million in late-stage funding in 2015. Funding was led by the New Zealand Super Fund.{{cite news |last1=Tilley |first1=Aaron |title=Smart Window Maker View Raises $150 Million |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/aarontilley/2015/08/13/smart-glass-maker-view-raises-150-million/#66faca755eea |access-date=31 July 2018 |work=Forbes |date=13 August 2015}}

In June 2017, BlackRock led a $200 million investment in View, bringing total funding for the company to $700 million.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2017/06/27/view-dynamic-glass-raises-200m-blackrock.html|title=Milpitas 'smart glass' startup raises $200M to take on the real estate world |publisher=Silicon Valley Business Journal|first=Luke |last=Stangel|date=June 27, 2017}}

In 2018, View, Inc. announced a $1.1 billion investment from the SoftBank Vision Fund.{{Cite web|date=2018-11-02|title=Saudi-Backed Vision Fund Invests $1.1 Billion in a Maker of 'Smart Window' Glass|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-11-02/saudi-backed-vision-fund-invests-1-1-billion-in-a-maker-of-smart-window-glass|access-date=2019-06-28|website=Bloomberg.com}}

In May 2022, View, Inc. announced that they may not have sufficient financial resources to meet its financial obligations for at least twelve months from the expected issuance date of its 2021 financial statements.{{cite press release | url=https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2022/05/11/2440432/0/en/View-Discloses-Cash-Balance-of-201M-as-of-End-of-Q1-2022.html | title=View Discloses Cash Balance of $201M as of End of Q1 2022 | date=11 May 2022 }}

The company's product, View Dynamic Glass, features an electrochromic (EC) coating composed of multiple layers of ceramic metal oxide with a thickness of 1 micron.{{Citation|last=Cronin|first=J. P.|title=Electrochromic Coatings|date=2004|url=https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-88953-5_34|work=Sol-Gel Technologies for Glass Producers and Users|pages=261–269|editor-last=Aegerter|editor-first=Michel A.|publisher=Springer US|language=en|doi=10.1007/978-0-387-88953-5_34|isbn=978-0-387-88953-5|access-date=2020-01-24|editor2-last=Mennig|editor2-first=Martin}} Low voltage wiring is added so the tint of the glass can be controlled through an app or centralized software system in response to weather or interior temperature.{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/news/2016/04/27/high-tech-brings-its-smarts-buildings/82864284/|title=High-tech brings its smarts to buildings|last1=Swartz|first1=Jon|date=April 27, 2016|work=USA Today|language=en}} Upon activation of the low-voltage direct current electrical signal, the materials in the insulating glass changes from transparent to up to 99% tinted for visible wavelengths.{{Cite web|url=https://dailyvoiceplus.com/westchester/westchester-business-journal/real-estate/regeneron-goes-high-tech-with-smart-windows/773017/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806062031/https://dailyvoiceplus.com/westchester/westchester-business-journal/real-estate/regeneron-goes-high-tech-with-smart-windows/773017/|archive-date=2019-08-06|title=Regeneron goes high-tech with 'smart' windows|date=2019-07-31|website=DV Plus - Westchester Business Journal Daily Voice|language=en|access-date=2019-08-08}}{{cite web| url=https://view.com/sites/default/files/documents/igu-data-sheet-us.pdf | title=View Gen 3 Insulating Glass Unit (IGU) | access-date=2023-12-26}}

The technology is designed to facilitate the entry of natural light into buildings and, when tinted, reduces glare and deflects infrared radiation.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUS78165695520110215|title=Soladigm Closes $40M for Its First Smart Window Factory|last=Wang|first=Ucilia|date=2011-02-15|access-date=2012-05-02|publisher=Reuters}} Each window pane can adjust its tint variably throughout the day. Additionally, every pane possesses a unique IP address, enabling its control via an app.{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-smart-glass-cuts-glare-alerts-police-if-theres-a-break-in-11563879600|title=New Smart Glass Cuts Glare, Alerts Police if There's a Break-In|last=Riski|first=Tess|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|date=23 July 2019|language=en-US|access-date=2019-07-25}}{{Cite web|url=https://cheddar.com/media/view-smart-glass-ip-address-windows|title=Your Next Office Window Could Come With an IP Address|website=Cheddar|date=25 July 2019 |language=en|access-date=2019-08-02}} The intensity of the tint can be adjusted to control glare, direct sunlight coming in, and to modify privacy.{{Cite web|url=https://dailyvoiceplus.com/westchester/westchester-business-journal/real-estate/regeneron-goes-high-tech-with-smart-windows/773017/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806062031/https://dailyvoiceplus.com/westchester/westchester-business-journal/real-estate/regeneron-goes-high-tech-with-smart-windows/773017/|archive-date=2019-08-06|title=Regeneron goes high-tech with 'smart' windows|date=2019-07-31|website=DV Plus - Westchester Business Journal Daily Voice|language=en|access-date=2019-08-02}}

By 2016, the company made panels that could be retrofitted as well as panels based on builders' specifications.

In 2018, the firm partnered with Microsoft Azure IoT to develop a physical security system that notifies building managers when glass breaks.{{Cite web|url=https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/view-chooses-microsoft-azure-iot-to-accelerate-development-of-smart-building-applications/|title=Microsoft Azure IoT|website=Microsoft|date=13 November 2018 }}{{Cite news|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/view-launches-smartprotect-an-iot-security-system-for-smart-windows/|title=Building windows powered by algorithms: View launches SmartProtect, an IoT security system for smart windows|last=Dignan|first=Larry|work=ZDNet|access-date=2018-11-14|language=en}}

In January 2009, Nguyen was relieved of his role as CTO and was dismissed the following month.{{rp|7}} In January 2010, Nguyen filed a lawsuit against the company, {{rp|7–13}} questioning the validity of the company's financing rounds and alleging his dismissal breached the company's certificate of incorporation voting agreement. {{cite news |title=Chancery Court Holds That Stockholder Rejection of Corporate Proposals Are Not Defective Corporate Acts That Can Later Be Ratified |url=https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=22b31142-e608-4108-b0f3-ba49ccc0f1cd |access-date=13 July 2018 |publisher=Lexology}} The parties agreed to arbitration, and in December 2015, the arbitrator ruled in Nguyen's favor. This decision, as noted by a judge in subsequent proceedings, had a significant impact on View's capital structure".{{rp|13}}{{rp|30}}{{cite news|title=Chancery Clarifies Distinction Between Defective Corporate Acts and Unauthorized Corporate Acts |url=http://www.delawarelitigation.com/2017/06/articles/chancery-court-updates/chancery-clarifies-distinction-between-defective-corporate-acts-and-unauthorized-corporate-acts/|work=Delaware Corporate & Commercial Litigation Blog|date=8 June 2017}}{{cite news|title=Issue Thirteen: Chancery Court Clarifies Difference between "Defective" and "Deliberately Unauthorized" Corporate Acts|url=http://www.goodwinlaw.com/publications/2017/06/06_20_17-securities-snapshot|work=Goodwin Law Securities Snapshot June 20, 2017|date=June 20, 2017|language=en}}

In Feb 2018, following challenges from investors, {{cite news |last1=Montgomery |first1=Jeff |title=View Inc. Fights Investors' Challenge To $60M Settlement |url=https://www.law360.com/articles/1013124/view-inc-fights-investors-challenge-to-60m-settlement |work=Law360 |date=February 15, 2018 |language=en}} the litigation reached a settlement, which temporarily solidified the company's capital structure. This case subsequently influenced a proposal to revise Delaware's corporate law.{{cite journal |last1=Bigler |first1=C. Stephen |last2=Norman |first2=Stephanie M. |title=Proposed Amendments to Section 204 of the Delaware General Corporation Law Resolve Uncertainty Created by the Reasoning in Nguyen v. View, Inc |journal=In Our Opinion: The Newsletter of the Legal Opinions Committee, ABA Business Law Section |date=Spring 2018 |volume=17 |issue=3 |page=16 |url=https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/business_law/newsletters/CL510000/full-issue-201805.authcheckdam.pdf}}

In December 2012, SAGE Electrochromics filed a patent infringement suit against View; View counter-sued a few months later.{{cite news|title=Corning leads $62M investment in 'smart' glass maker View|url=http://optics.org/news/4/6/27|work=SPIE Europe|date=19 June 2013}}

{{reflist}}

• {{Official website|http://www.viewglass.com/}}

Category:2006 establishments in California

Category:Companies based in Milpitas, California

Category:Technology companies established in 2006

Category:Companies that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2024

Category:Companies formerly listed on the Nasdaq

Category:Glassmaking companies of the United States

Category:Technology companies of the United States

Category:Technology companies based in Greater Los Angeles

Category:Softbank portfolio companies