Interlink Electronics, Inc. (LINK): History, Ownership, Mission, How It Works & Makes Money

How does a company that pioneered the Force Sensing Resistor (FSR) technology nearly 40 years ago remain relevant in the hyper-competitive sensor market? Interlink Electronics, Inc. (LINK) is a global leader in printed electronic solutions, proving its staying power by generating trailing twelve-month revenue of over $11.73 Million USD as of late 2025, driven by double-digit growth in its core force-sensing products. But the real story is in the pivot: are they finally on the path to consistent profitability after narrowing their Q3 2025 net loss to just $336,000, and what does a recent $200,000 FDA grant for food safety sensors tell you about their future market strategy? We'll defintely dive into the history, the mission, and the mechanics of how this small-cap innovator makes its money.

Interlink Electronics, Inc. (LINK) History

Interlink Electronics, Inc. is a company that has been driving the Human-Machine Interface (HMI) revolution for nearly four decades, evolving from a pioneer in force-sensing technology to a diversified provider of sensor and printed electronic solutions. You need to understand this history because the company's current strategic focus on high-margin acquisitions and grant-funded R&D is a direct response to its long-term product lifecycle and market shifts.

Given Company's Founding Timeline

Year established

Interlink Electronics was founded in 1985, a key moment that formalized the commercialization of its core proprietary technology, the Force-Sensing Resistor (FSR).

Original location

The company was originally headquartered in Camarillo, California. This location served as the base for its early development and manufacturing efforts in the advanced sensing market.

Founding team members

While the original founding team members are not explicitly named in public records, the company's genesis is tied to the engineers and entrepreneurs who commercialized the Force-Sensing Resistor (FSR) technology, which was first released for commercial use in 1977. The current trajectory is largely defined by CEO Steven Bronson, who took the helm in 2010.

Initial capital/funding

Specific initial seed capital is not disclosed, but the company has historically raised approximately $5.5 million in funding over time. For a high-tech hardware company in the mid-1980s, that level of funding would have been crucial for scaling production of the FSR sensor components.

Given Company's Evolution Milestones

Given Company's Transformative Moments

The company's history shows two major transformative shifts: the initial product innovation and the recent M&A-driven strategy under current leadership.

The most recent pivot is defintely the most actionable for investors right now. It centers on a strategic move away from a pure-play component supplier to an integrated sensor solutions provider, which is evident in the 2025 data. Here's the quick math: Q3 2025 revenue hit $3.0 million, up 11% year-over-year, and the gross margin rose to 41.8%. That's a clear signal that the new product mix, including contributions from the Calman Technology and Conductive Transfers acquisitions, is working to improve the top line and margin profile.

• Capital Structure Simplification (2025): The conversion of all Series A Convertible Preferred Stock into common stock eliminated a significant capital overhang, improving liquidity and aligning the interests of all shareholders. This is a clean-up move that investors love.
• Strategic M&A Pipeline (2025): The company executed a Letter of Intent in September 2025 to acquire a U.K.-based engineering and manufacturing firm for up to $1.9 million. This move is designed to further strengthen the European footprint and capabilities gained from the 2023 Calman acquisition.
• Government Grant Validation (2025): Interlink Electronics secured multiple Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants, including a $200,000 Phase I grant from the FDA in October 2025 and a $175,000 grant from the USDA in September 2025. These grants validate the company's next-generation electrochemical and AI-powered sensor technologies for high-growth markets like food safety.

The operational loss of $336,000 in Q3 2025, while a loss, is an improvement from the prior year's $523,000 loss. This trend suggests the company is on track for its stated goal of returning to profitability in 2026, driven by this focused strategy. If you want to dive deeper into the current financial condition, you should read Breaking Down Interlink Electronics, Inc. (LINK) Financial Health: Key Insights for Investors.

Interlink Electronics, Inc. (LINK) Ownership Structure

Interlink Electronics, Inc. (LINK) is overwhelmingly controlled by its insiders, giving the leadership team significant sway over corporate strategy and governance, a structure that is unusual for a public company. As of November 2025, the company's ownership is dominated by the CEO, who holds a majority stake, meaning external institutional investors have a minimal voice.

Interlink Electronics' Current Status

Interlink Electronics is a public company, trading on The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC under the ticker symbol LINK. This status requires the company to adhere to strict Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) reporting standards, providing investors with regular financial transparency, such as the recent termination of its At-The-Market Issuance Sales Agreement on November 23, 2025.

The company's market capitalization as of late October 2025 was approximately $92.8 million, with roughly 14.8 million shares outstanding following a 50% common stock dividend distributed in October 2025.

You can see the strategic drivers behind this ownership structure in the company's core principles by reviewing their Mission Statement, Vision, & Core Values of Interlink Electronics, Inc. (LINK).

Interlink Electronics' Ownership Breakdown

The ownership structure is highly concentrated, with insiders holding the vast majority of shares. This level of control means major decisions, like mergers or capital structure changes, are largely determined by a small group of executives and directors. Honestly, this is a structure that definitely cuts down on shareholder activism.

Interlink Electronics' Leadership

The company is steered by a lean, seasoned management team, led by an executive who has been in the top seat for over a decade. The average tenure of the management team is about 4.1 years, providing a blend of long-term vision and fresh operational perspective.

Here's the quick math on influence: The Chairman and CEO's massive ownership stake makes him the single most powerful decision-maker.

• Steven N. Bronson: Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer. Appointed CEO in July 2010, he is the primary driver of corporate strategy and owns the majority of the company.
• Ryan J. Hoffman: Chief Financial Officer. He manages the financial operations and reporting for the company.
• Declan Flannery: Vice President of Strategic Alliances. Focuses on partnerships and market expansion.

The Board of Directors, which includes the CEO, also features independent directors like David J. Wolenski, the Lead Independent Director, and members Joy Hou and Maria Fregosi, providing oversight to the executive team.

Interlink Electronics, Inc. (LINK) Mission and Values

Interlink Electronics, Inc. (LINK) centers its purpose on empowering innovation through reliable, high-performance sensing solutions, a focus that drives everything from their core Force-Sensing Resistor (FSR) technology to their recent expansion into e-textiles.

This commitment goes beyond engineering, influencing their financial strategy as they invest heavily in research and development (R&D) to secure a long-term, high-margin future, even while reporting a Q3 2025 net loss of $336,000. To be fair, that loss is a major improvement from the prior year's period, showing the strategy is working.

Given Company's Core Purpose

The company's core purpose is to bridge the gap between humans and machines, offering intuitive Human-Machine Interface (HMI) devices and sensor solutions that perform in mission-critical environments. They essentially provide the 'picks and shovels' for the gold rush in data analytics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) by capturing essential physical information.

Their foundation is built on nearly 40 years of success in delivering these technologies across diverse markets, from automotive to medical devices.

• Innovation: Pioneering new applications for their patented Force-Sensing Resistor (FSR) technology.
• Customization: Using expertise in materials science and firmware to create custom solutions for global blue-chip customers.
• Quality: Ensuring product quality and operational excellence, especially in rugged and high-dependency applications.

Official mission statement

Interlink Electronics, Inc.'s mission is a clear statement of intent, focusing on the ultimate benefit to the end-user and the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) client.

• Empower innovation by delivering reliable, high-performance sensing solutions that enhance user experience and drive product differentiation.

Their mission is defintely about making their clients' products better, not just selling a component.

Vision statement

The company's vision is focused on achieving global market leadership and substantial financial scale through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions.

• Become a global leader in sensor technology and printed electronic solutions.
• Achieve $100 million in revenues within the next five years.
• Sustain a high-margin business model, historically operating at north of a 50% gross margin.

This vision is backed by tangible results, like the Q2 2025 revenue increase of 18% year-over-year to $3.4 million, showing their strategic initiatives are gaining traction.

Given Company slogan/tagline

While a single, trademarked slogan isn't always front-and-center for B2B tech firms, the company consistently uses a phrase that summarizes their value proposition and market position.

• Delivering advanced sensor solutions to the world's major OEMs, tiers, and integrators.

You can read more about what drives the company's long-term strategy and cultural DNA here: Mission Statement, Vision, & Core Values of Interlink Electronics, Inc. (LINK).

Interlink Electronics, Inc. (LINK) How It Works

Interlink Electronics, Inc. operates by designing and manufacturing advanced sensor technology and printed electronic solutions, creating the critical Human-Machine Interface (HMI) components that allow devices to sense and respond to human touch, force, and environmental changes.

They essentially translate physical input-like a finger press or the presence of a gas-into digital data for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) across high-value markets.

Given Company's Product/Service Portfolio

Given Company's Operational Framework

Interlink's operational framework is built on a hybrid model of specialized in-house manufacturing and strategic global expansion, allowing them to manage complex supply chains and deliver highly calibrated, mission-critical components.

Here's the quick math: the company's Q3 2025 revenue was $3.0 million, with a gross margin of 41.8%, showing they're selling higher-margin, non-commoditized solutions.

• Global Footprint: Operations span corporate headquarters and a proprietary gas sensor production facility in Fremont, California, plus a growing European presence via the Calman Technology acquisition and a Letter of Intent for another U.K.-based acquisition.
• Vertical Integration: They control the entire process-from materials science and sensor design to firmware and volume manufacturing-which allows for rapid scale-up, a critical factor for large OEM partners.
• Innovation Funding: They defintely use government grants, like the $175,000 SBIR grant from the USDA for AI-powered food quality systems, to de-risk and accelerate new product development.
• M&A Strategy: They actively pursue acquisitions that are complementary to their core business, like the UK company with approximately $5 million in last fiscal year revenue, to strengthen their geographical reach and service offerings.

Given Company's Strategic Advantages

You're looking at a company whose primary advantage is its deep, proprietary intellectual property (IP) in Force-Sensing Resistors (FSRs), a technology they pioneered. This isn't a commodity electronics business; it's a specialty IP house.

This expertise allows them to maintain a higher gross margin profile than many component manufacturers, even while reporting a Q3 2025 Adjusted EBITDA loss of only $(62,000), a significant improvement from the prior year.

• Proprietary IP Moat: Decades of experience and patented technology in FSRs create a significant barrier to entry, making their products sticky with blue-chip customers who rely on proven, high-reliability components.
• Custom Solution Capability: The ability to integrate materials science, embedded electronics, and software allows them to create bespoke, mission-critical solutions, rather than just selling off-the-shelf parts.
• Diversified Growth Vectors: They are strategically expanding beyond traditional touch sensors into high-growth, regulated markets like environmental monitoring and medical devices, which are less susceptible to consumer electronics cycles.
• Capital Structure Clarity: The recent conversion of all Series A preferred stock into common stock has simplified their capital structure and eliminated a potential overhang, which is a clear move to enhance shareholder value and liquidity.

To understand the full financial picture behind this operational strategy, I recommend reading Breaking Down Interlink Electronics, Inc. (LINK) Financial Health: Key Insights for Investors.

Finance: Track the closing of the U.K. acquisition and its projected contribution to 2026 revenue by the end of the year.

Interlink Electronics, Inc. (LINK) How It Makes Money

Interlink Electronics, Inc. generates revenue by designing, developing, and manufacturing proprietary sensor technology and custom printed electronic solutions for a diverse, global customer base. The business model is centered on selling highly specialized components-like Force-Sensing Resistors (FSRs) and gas sensors-to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in industrial, medical, consumer, and automotive markets, plus a growing contribution from government-funded research grants.

You're looking at a company in transition: its core force-sensing business is stabilizing, but the real momentum is coming from strategic acquisitions and its push into high-value environmental and food-safety sensor applications. The Trailing Twelve Month (TTM) revenue as of September 30, 2025, stood at $12.02 million. [cite: 4 in step 1]

Interlink Electronics' Revenue Breakdown

The company's revenue is primarily segmented into three areas: its foundational force-sensing technology, its growing printed electronics business (bolstered by acquisitions like Calman Technology and Conductive Transfers), and its strategic gas and environmental sensor product line. The exact percentage split is not publicly disclosed, but the qualitative trends from the Q3 2025 results are clear. [cite: 1, 2, 4 in step 2]

Business Economics

The core economics of Interlink Electronics revolve around intellectual property (IP)-driven manufacturing and achieving a favorable product mix. The company's proprietary Force Sensing Resistor (FSR) technology provides a competitive moat, allowing it to price for value in niche, high-reliability applications like medical diagnostics and industrial controls. Gross margin is the key metric to watch here.

The gross margin for the third quarter of 2025 was 41.8%, a slight improvement from the prior year, driven by higher revenue and a favorable product mix. What this estimate hides is the cost structure volatility; a less favorable product mix, like the one seen earlier in Q1 2025, can drop the gross margin to around 35.6%. [cite: 3 in step 3]

• Pricing Strategy: Value-based pricing for custom, mission-critical components, especially for Fortune 500 OEM clients.
• Cost Management: Focus on reducing the impact of tariffs on the cost of goods sold (COGS) through supply chain diversification. [cite: 6 in step 2]
• Operating Leverage: Management is focused on keeping operating expenses tight, with Q3 2025 operating costs at approximately $1.55 million, which helped narrow the net loss despite only modest revenue growth. [cite: 7 in step 3]

The push into printed electronics through acquisitions like Conductive Transfers adds higher-margin, specialized products like smart textiles and conductive inks, which is defintely a strategic move to boost the overall gross margin profile. [cite: 4 in step 2]

Interlink Electronics' Financial Performance

The company is demonstrating top-line growth and margin improvement, but it is not yet consistently profitable. The Q3 2025 results show a clear trend of operational improvement, but sustained profitability remains a goal for 2026.

• Revenue Growth: Q3 2025 revenue was $3.0 million, representing an 11% year-over-year increase, marking the second consecutive quarter of double-digit growth.
• Profitability: The net loss for Q3 2025 narrowed significantly to $336,000, an improvement from a $523,000 net loss in the year-ago period.
• Adjusted EBITDA: Adjusted EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization) for Q3 2025 was $(62,000), a substantial improvement from $(248,000) in Q3 2024.
• Strategic Funding: Non-dilutive revenue from government grants is a notable factor, including a $200,000 FDA SBIR grant and a $175,000 USDA SBIR grant secured in Q3 2025 for food safety technology development.

The conversion of all outstanding Series A Convertible Preferred Stock into common stock is a critical step in simplifying the capital structure, eliminating a potential overhang and enhancing shareholder alignment. For a deeper dive into the balance sheet and liquidity position, check out Breaking Down Interlink Electronics, Inc. (LINK) Financial Health: Key Insights for Investors.

Interlink Electronics, Inc. (LINK) Market Position & Future Outlook

Interlink Electronics, Inc. (LINK) is a micro-cap leader in the niche force-sensing resistor (FSR) market, currently positioned for a critical transition from a decades-long technology pioneer to a scaled, profitable solutions provider. The company is actively executing an inorganic growth strategy, evidenced by its pursuit of a $1.9 million U.K. acquisition, aiming to build on its second consecutive quarter of double-digit revenue growth in Q3 2025. Still, the company must convert its revenue momentum and strategic wins into consistent operational profitability, as it reported a net loss of $336,000 in Q3 2025.

Competitive Landscape

Interlink Electronics operates in a fragmented segment of the broader force sensor market, which is projected to be valued at over $2.57 billion in 2024. The company's calculated market share in the estimated $850 million FSR market is approximately 1.4% based on its trailing twelve-month (TTM) revenue of $11.73 million as of late 2025. Competition is intense, coming from both direct FSR rivals and companies specializing in alternative, high-precision sensing technologies like capacitive and strain gauge.

Opportunities & Challenges

For a micro-cap company with a market capitalization of roughly $60.56 million as of November 2025, the near-term is defined by its ability to execute on its current strategic pipeline. The momentum is there, but the margin for error is small.

Industry Position

Interlink Electronics holds a unique position as the original inventor of the Force Sensing Resistor (FSR), giving it a foundational intellectual property (IP) advantage in printed electronic solutions. While its 1.4% share of the FSR market makes it a small-cap player, its specialization allows it to compete effectively in high-value, custom-design applications. The conversion of all Series A preferred stock into common stock and the issuance of a 50% common stock dividend in 2025 were crucial actions to simplify the capital structure and improve liquidity, which is defintely a positive signal to the market. The company's focus on securing major integrated sensing design wins and government grants (like the $200,000 FDA grant) indicates a strategic shift toward higher-margin, mission-critical applications over mass-market consumer electronics. For a deeper dive into the company's financial health, you can read Breaking Down Interlink Electronics, Inc. (LINK) Financial Health: Key Insights for Investors.

• The company's TTM revenue of $11.73 million positions it as a micro-cap with a focus on niche, high-precision industrial and medical markets.
• Insider ownership is high at 83.4%, suggesting strong alignment between management and shareholders.
• Analyst consensus price targets indicate a potential upside of 128.67%, signaling strong belief in the M&A and organic growth strategy.