GainSpan raises $5M to add Wi-Fi connectivity to household appliances

GainSpain, a company that makes low-power Wi-Fi chips, has raised $5 million of an expected $20 million in equity, according to a filing with the SEC. In August, the San Jose-based startup released a Wi-Fi module that can be embedded into home appliances, allowing users to operate devices like refrigerators and dishwashers from a laptop or cell phone.

Founded in 2006, GainSpan has raised more than $35 million to date from Opus Capital, Intel Capital, New Venture Partners, OVP Venture Partners and Sigma Partners.