Aug 5 2008
Innolume, the leading provider of quantum dot (QD) laser diodes and modules covering the 1000 nm to 1320 nm optical spectrum, today announced that it secured a Series C round of financing for €8.6 million. The round was led by S-Group Capital Management Limited (SGCM) with Applied Ventures, LLC joining as a new investor. Existing investors, NRW. BANK, PEPPERMINT. Financial Partners, S-VentureCapital Dortmund, Robert A. Young, and Juergen Kurb, also participated.
With this Series C funding Innolume will enhance production capabilities and marketing activities to sustain growing revenues generated by unique quantum dot laser products for telecommunication, industrial and medical applications, as well as for further development of its revolutionary comb-laser and related photonic integrated circuits in cooperation with top tier semiconductor companies. This comb source is a single laser diode providing up to hundreds of stable lasing lines for WDM optical interconnects in computer applications.
“The race is on to reduce cost of optical solutions for short reach interconnects to the level needed by high volume, mainstream computing applications.” said Juergen Kurb, CEO of Innolume. “Our vision is to enable high density, low cost wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) transmission by using a single light source for all wavelengths – Innolume’s comb-laser. We are delighted that SGCM, Applied Ventures and existing investors share our vision and recognize this unique opportunity to access a multibillion dollar market.” Juergen adds, that “this funding will also enable Innolume to rapidly introduce to the market novel quantum dot based devices aimed at specific high value medical applications.”
“Since the computer industry has lately committed to merging silicon computing technology with laser-powered optical interconnects, we are excited that Innolume's innovation applies the silicon integration paradigm for the first time to these lasers, namely, increased functionality and higher performance at lower cost. This investment fits our model of identifying true innovators that have the potential to materially impact existing or emerging markets,” said Ilia Dubinsky, SGCM Partner.
Peter Guellmann, Head of Venture Investment Department of NRW. BANK and lead investor of Innolume´s Series B round adds: ”Over the last years Innolume has clearly shown their capability to enable new, fast growing applications with its unique technology. We’re pleased that this investment will move Innolume into high volume manufacturing and will expand its market presence.”
This Series C round follows the €4.4 million A round in 2003 led by PolyTechnos Venture Partners and the €6.5 million B round in 2006 led by NRW.BANK.