Apr 17 2014
Invest in Photonics(R), a two-day international business partnering convention focused exclusively on photonics venture capital investment, today announces that registration is open for innovative SMEs seeking funding. Interested candidates are invited to submit an application to present an elevator pitch to a panel of international investors at the event, taking place October 9 – 10, 2014 in Bordeaux, France.
Invest in Photonics represents a global industry currently estimated at USD 480bn (source: SPIE Market Update Photonics West 2014 presentation). It brings together top industry analysts, private investors and financial institutions, SMEs seeking funding, OEMs and end-users to create profitable business opportunities and to network.
SMEs looking for seed funding, development and later stage funding have until June 15, 2014 to submit their applications; (http://www.invest-in-photonics.com). Funding is used to further research and development, develop sales and marketing, enter a market and/or solidify business networks of emerging photonics companies. Invest in Photonics has helped photonics companies raise more than USD 119m (EUR 87m) in funding, since the biennial event began in 2008.
The committee will aim to select 20 candidates targeting any of the five industrial market themes that will be the focus of this fourth biennial event: the life sciences, consumer electronics, advanced manufacturing (3D printing), the environment and energy efficiency, aerospace and transport.
“The VC world has taken a very abrupt turn towards software, mobile, the internet and selected areas in the life sciences. Overall, this means a drastic reduction of investment in hardware. With fewer funds being invested in materials-science-based companies, it is increasingly more competitive and difficult for photonics companies to raise money,” said Giorgio Anania, chairman of Invest in Photonics. “This means photonics companies seeking to raise funds must use every opportunity to grab the attention of investors to pitch their projects in the most attractive way. Invest in Photonics provides the perfect venue for doing exactly that. It provides a panel of international investors, customized coaching and an enriched networking experience.”
Photonics experts and financial advisors from Yole Finance, a unit of market analyst firm Yole Developpement, will provide selected candidates with intensive individualized coaching to enhance the delivery of the three-minute investment opportunity pitch. This professional coaching is one of the advantages of Invest in Photonics in getting candidates to focus on the market opportunity rather than the technology. Each pitch will be followed by a two-minute question and answer session.
To be eligible to apply, a company’s activity must be associated with the field of photonics. As photonics is pervasive, the scope for inclusion is wide. So, it includes companies addressing major societal challenges facing Europe, in particular for healthcare, the aging society, food safety, security and energy efficiency can apply, with solutions that rely on photonics technologies. It covers core optics and photonics component manufacturers and photonics enabled product manufacturers.
Other important criteria for selection include demonstrating a unique value proposition that shows venture capitalists the company’s ability to penetrate a market. Selected companies should also demonstrate their ability to outperform competition based on unique differentiation.
The Invest in Photonics organizing committee and members of the selection committee will sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) with the companies selected.