Chicago, November 4, 2008 (word count: 641)
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Despite the current economic climate, the Invest in Photonics convention met its goals two months before the event: 50 project applications have been received and the major decision-makers in the field have indicated they will attend. The stand-out sectors for investors are: clean technology (photovoltaic), telecoms (fiber optics), and health. The next step is to select 20 applications to be presented in Bordeaux, France, on December 11 and 12 during Invest in Photonics, the world’s leading partnership meeting in the photonics sector.
Note to Editors: Press credentials are required for access to Invest in Photonics. To sign up, please visit www.invest-in-photonics.com or click here to view the full convention program, and fill out and return the last page.
Even though investors have been little affected by the current crisis, they are bound to remain cautious regarding funding projects where most are in excess of EUR 10 million (13 million USD). This is why an insightful selection of 20 out of the 50 applications submitted is crucial, backed up by the Technical Committee made up of international finance and industry professionals.
80% of applications range from EUR 1 to 10 million (1.3 to 13 million USD)
One of the characteristics of those applications is that 53% come from start-ups and 39% from so-called “last stage” SMEs. Another indicator shows that 30% are foreign (Canada, Poland, Austria, etc.), and the remainder have a good distribution throughout France, with the lion’s share of applications coming from the Ile de France (Paris) region.
Among the projects presented, there are those developing medical imaging, new diagnosis tools from the “Greentech” sector, semi-conducting materials for photovoltaic energy, and liquid lens technology for cameras and mobile phones. Financing applications are in excess of EUR 10 million (13 million USD) in 6% of cases.
Two days at the heart of growth issues in order to understand, to approach, and to benefit
In terms of programming, the 20 international SMEs will have 10 minutes each to convince investors during three major meetings under the heading “Business Time.” Seven conferences are also planned, representing an opportunity to get informed about market trends thanks to opinion leaders and their prospective views on photonics-related themes such as “intelligent lighting,” biophotonic market opportunities, or the outlook on advances made in “fiber to the home” technology.
These conferences, under the heading “Market Time” will be chaired by Dr. Bernard Couillaud, Bookham; Stephen G. Anderson, Laser Focus World; Pr. Dennis Matthews, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory; Eric Perrin-Pelletier, Alcatel Lucent Bell Labs; Alain Rodermann, Sofinnova Partners; and others.
Genuine market opportunities
The program will be complemented by a round table featuring venture capitalists (capital investment partners) from various European countries to better apprehend photonics market opportunities as well as the differences with other technology. It will also be a chance to present any success stories.
Lastly, ”Innovation Time” will facilitate ad hoc encounters, as well as a demonstration of know-how through the visit of the Megajoule laser, the sector’s leading symbol on an international scale.
Organization:
ALPhA (Aquitaine Laser Photonics and Applications), French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) and Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce and Industry
With financial support from the European Union, the French Government, Aquitaine Regional Council, the General Council for Gironde, the Greater Bordeaux Urban Community and Bordeaux Town Hall
In partnership with the National Optics and Photonics Committee (CNOP, representing all French Optics and Photonics centres), the European Photonic Industry Consortium (EPIC), the Optics/Photonics Professional Association (AFOP) and the Finance&Technologie association.
The Technical Committee includes in particular representatives from:
SOFINNOVA PARTNERS, BOOKHAM, Canadian Photonics Consortium, Quebec Photonics Network, CNOP (Comité National d’Optique et Photonique), EPIC (European Photonic Industry Consortium), ZHO (Zentrum für Optoelektronik), CEA/ALPhA, and others.
To sign up for press access, please visit www.invest-in-photonics.com or click here to view to entire Invest in Photonics program, and fill out and return the last page .
For more information, please contact:
Technical information:
Invest in Photonics
Audrey Hantiu
Project Executive
Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce and Industry
E-mail: ahantiu@invest-in-photonics.com
Tel.: +33 (0)5 56 79 44 86
Media Contact:
Philippe Garcia
E-mail: pgarcia@bordeaux.cci.fr
Tel.: +33(0)5 56 79 52 48
or:
FRENCH TECHNOLOGY PRESS OFFICE
205 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 3740
Chicago, IL 60601
Fax: (312) 327-5261
E-mail: contact.ftpo@ubifrance.fr