Back to News

For Immediate Release

Media Contact:
Amy Foschetti
Interprose PR
Phone: + 1 (704) 849-0433
[email protected]

NanoOpto Closes C-Round of Venture Financing with Two New Investors

Investment supports manufacturing capacity growth and market expansion

Somerset, New Jersey. May 12, 2005. NanoOpto Corporation, which is applying novel design methods and proprietary nano-fabrication technology to produce a broad range of unique optical components that enable higher quality, low-cost optical components and systems, announced that it has closed on an additional $2.5 million in C-round venture financing from Masters Capital Nanotechnology, LLC, and Nanostart AG. This investment finalizes an oversubscribed C-round and brings the total investment in NanoOpto, to date, to $46M.

“NanoOpto’s achievements in technology and market development have established a solid foundation for product expansion and business growth,” said Mel P. Melsheimer, Managing Member at Masters Capital Nanotechnology. “We look forward to supporting NanoOpto in leveraging that traction towards substantial and sustained growth.”

“As a result of the combined investments of Masters Capital Nanotechnology and Nanostart, our C-round was not only closed, but oversubscribed as well,” said Barry Weinbaum, President and CEO of NanoOpto. “It is gratifying to have the support of investors who recognize the potential for our breakthrough, integrated optics across a broad range of commercial applications.”

So far in 2005, NanoOpto has announced a range of new product offerings: IR cut-off filters for digital imaging applications, waveplates for optical data storage applications, and optical isolators for communications transceivers. These products are realizations of NanoOpto’s general product capabilities that span polarizers, phase retarders, filters, and dynamic optics. Integrated with other optical devices and into optical systems, the products apply to UV, visible, and IR wavelengths. Additional product rollouts are scheduled throughout 2005.

About NanoOpto
NanoOpto Corporation is applying proprietary nano-fabrication technology to the rapid design and high-volume manufacture of nano-optic devices for optical components and systems. The company’s nano-meter scale optical function design capability combined with wafer-based manufacturing methods delivers optical components that allow more rapid prototyping, higher performance, and lower overall system cost. Both independently and with industry partners, NanoOpto uses its technology to produce superior versions of standard optical components and new classes of integrated optical subassemblies for both custom and general applications. The company has received financial backing from leading venture capitalists and is based in Somerset, New Jersey. For additional information about NanoOpto, visit www.nanoopto.com.

About Masters Capital Nanotechnology, LLC
Masters Capital Nanotechnology, LLC is a newly-formed fund organized by Masters Capital Management, the manager of a family of hedge funds. Masters Capital Nanotechnology, LLC focuses on investing in companies employing nanotechnology-enabled solutions across a wide spectrum of products and applications.

About Nanostart AG
Nanostart AG is one of the leading investors in the nanotechnology area. The company's two activity areas focus on investments in dynamically growing nanotechnology companies and advisory services to companies from the finance industry on investments in the nanotechnology sector. As a nanotechnology investment company and sub-advisor for the DAC Nanotech-Fonds (ISIN LU0172295247), the company offers a unique profile in the global finance scene. For additional information about Nanostart, visit www.nanostart.de.