InnovationsKapital invests in a micro optics company, Heptagon OY
InnovationsKapital invests in a micro optics company, Heptagon OY InnovationsKapital, a Swedish venture capital firm, and Sitra, the Finnish National Fund, have made an investment of 1,8 million Euros into Heptagon OY to finance further expansion of its operations. Heptagon Oy, based in Helsinki, is a leading company in the field of micro-optics - with world-wide recognition for its expertise in the design and manufacturing of diffractive optical elements. The demand for innovative diffractive solutions is growing rapidly across many industry sectors. Examples of applications for advanced diffractive solutions include fiber optics systems and components, displays, disk-drive components, and industrial instruments. "The micro-optics area represents a 'high potential, high growth' area world wide within many high tech sectors. Heptagon has since long acquired world class skills in the field of diffractive optics design and know- how", says Robert Gothner, General Partner of InnovationsKapital. "Our investment in Heptagon fits very nicely with our current strategy in the Nordic region and complements our portfolio of technology companies very well". "We are happy to have InnovationsKapital on-board our team. They bring valuable development and operational experience from similar companies, and we hope to leverage this into our company", says Jyrki Saarinen, CEO of Heptagon. As part of Heptagon's plans to expand it's operations, Heptagon OY has acquired the micro-optics part of CSEM, in Switzerland. Earlier this year, Jan Melles joined Heptagon as a shareholder and board member - with over 35 years of experience in laser and electro-optics industries, Mr. Melles adds valuable support to Heptagon's future success. InnovationsKapital was founded in 1994 and is one the largest early stage venture capital firms in Sweden today. The business is focused on investments within the Information & Communications Technology and Health Care Sectors. InnovationsKapital's portfolio currently consists of 23 investments, of which a number are due for an IPO within the next year. InnovationsKapital manages a total of SEK 550 million in two funds that include highly reputable Nordic and international investors. Stockholm, August 22, 2000 For further information, please contact Robert Gothner, General Partner, InnovationsKapital e-mail: robert.gothner@innkap.se, tel: + 46-31-609190 Dr Jyrki Saarinen, President and CEO Heptagon Oy e-mail: jyrki.saarinen@heptagon.fi tel. +358-9-2517 2041 Further information can be found from the following web pages Heptagon www.heptagon.fi InnovationsKapital www.innkap.se Sitra www.sitra.fi ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by BIT http://www.bit.se The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/08/22/20000822BIT01090/bit0001.pdf http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/08/22/20000822BIT01090/bit0002.doc