FRANKFURT, Germany & SINGAPORE /BUSINESS WIRE/ -- Nanostart AG is investing in Microlight Sensors Pte Ltd. Founded in 2006, the company develops, manufactures, and sells optical systems, instruments, and components for sensor technologies. Microlight Sensors' current products make it possible to capture extremely low-intensity light and radiation near the wavelength range of infrared and visible light. They are deployed for civil security and monitoring purposes, across all illumination conditions of the 24-hr. cycle without sensor damage. The instruments deliver equivalent daylight performance during night operations at conditions of extreme low light.
The company, which is headquartered in Singapore, possesses comprehensive expertise in optical engineering and design. Very few companies in the world have comparable know-how and design capabilities. In addition to current product lines, the company is also developing an entirely new generation of scanning optical equipment for imagery and spatial regeneration. The roadmap includes ultrasensitive sensor products based on nanomaterial technology.
Microlight Sensors targets the domestic security market in the Asia-Pacific region, which in 2007 was estimated to represent nearly 21% of the global market. By 2014, the market is anticipated to increase by 8.5% to $40 billion. The rapid growth forecast can in part be explained by growing civil security requirements and the prevalence of antiquated systems to be replaced.
The Nanostart investment will be directed toward new product development, as well as financing expansion of the company's business, in particular, in sales and marketing in Asia.
Andreas Kroll, Managing Director of Nanostart Asia, describes the new investment: "Microlight Sensors currently possesses cutting-edge technology in an expanding market that is still being developed. We see above-average growth opportunities, which is why we decided to make this investment."
And Victor Teo, founder and CEO of Microlight adds: "We are convinced that we have found the right partner with Nanostart. The company possesses enormous commercialization expertise, as well as the ability to facilitate further growth of Microlight through its international network."
Microlight is the third investment financed by the Nanostart Singapore Early Stage Venture Fund. Venture capital funds will be made available in tranches. The Nanostart fund takes an initial stake of 19%. Following distribution of the final tranche, the Nanostart fund will own shareholdings of 31% in Microlight Sensors.
About Nanostart
Nanostart AG, headquartered in the German financial capital of Frankfurt, is the world's leading nanotechnology investment company, with portfolio companies spanning the globe from Silicon Valley to Singapore. The company provides venture capital financing for nanotechnology companies in various growth phases, with a focus on innovation-driven industries of the future, such as cleantech, life sciences, and IT/electronics. Through its subsidiary Nanostart Asia and venture capital fund in Singapore, Nanostart is proud to be the investment partner of the Singaporean government.
About Microlight
Microlight Sensors designs, develops and assembles fully integrated optical sensor and scanning systems for specialty applications in the homeland security and commercial spectral instrumentation systems market. Microlight's unique high-end optical systems are attributed to its proprietary sensor designs and in-house professional team of optical designers and engineers, providing Microlight the capabilities to tailor-make optical systems with strict quality assurance controls for customers. Microlight has developed strong active partnerships with institutions and customers worldwide.