Each standard cell represents a relatively primitive logic function, such as a NAND gate, with fixed area, timing and power characteristics and is constructed from transistors most often arranged in the pull-up/pull-down fashion of CMOS.

NanGate addresses this gap by providing the IC designer with a range of software products that allow him to specify and create new standard cells with custom transistor layout in an automated manner.

[20] Also in 2006, NanGate, Inc was established in Sunnyvale, CA, in order to promote sales and support customers in the Silicon Valley area.

The company also established a subsidiary in Moscow, the Russian Federation to focus on research and development in layout compaction technologies.

Also, in 2008, NanGate donated a free 45 nm open source digital library through Si2 to promote interoperability and independent testing of standard cell–based software products.

A pre-made MegaLibrary presents an alternative to creating new standard cells on-the-fly (e.g. using NanGate Library Creator) for optimization purposes.

A set of standard cells are said to be footprint compatible when they are interchangeable from a place-and-route perspective without causing DRC errors.

A MegaLibrary with a large set of footprint-compatible cells can be used for timing and power optimization after the place-and-route stage is completed.

[30] The SYNAPTIC project, now completed, was done in collaboration with STMicroelectronics, IMEC, Politecnico di Milano (Italy), Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (Spain) and Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil)[31] In 2012, the company went through a restructure process and changed ownership as three of the original founders completed a management buy-out.

In 2013, NanGate announced a strategic collaboration with Sagantec[32] to provide library design capability for 14-22 nm process technologies.

Usage of next-generation lithography technologies such as double-patterning and coloring are new methods that enables scaling to 14 nm geometries.

As of February 2013, Ole Christian Andersen is the President and CEO of Nangate, Inc – a position he has held since the inception of the company.

Jens C. Michelsen was promoted to COO as part of the management buy-out after serving as VP Professional Services since the inception of the company.