Invest in Photonics(R) was created in 2008 by the ALPhA technology cluster (Aquitaine Laser Photonique et Applications), CEA (French Atomic Energy Commission and the largest government-funded technological research organization in France) and the Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce for the purpose of facilitating meetings between investors and emerging companies in photonics, addressing business issues in photonics, as well as increasing the visibility of the industry.
Dr. Thomas Baer will give the keynote address at Invest in Photonics. 10 world-class speakers and a Venture Capital panel discussion on photonics also make-up the two-day event.
Bordeaux, France, February 1, 2010 – Invest in Photonics(R), a two-day international partnering convention that brings together the world’s experts in photonics and leading investors from Europe and beyond to meet with emerging photonics companies seeking financial support, announced its line-up of international speakers today. Dr. Thomas Baer, executive director of Stanford Photonics Research Center, will give the keynote address at Invest in Photonics 2010, March 18 – 19.
Invest in Photonics is an investment-networking and market development event that facilitates meetings between entrepreneurs and executives of emerging companies in photonics and investors and analysts. The high growth industries that will be represented at the event: energy efficiency, the environment, telecommunications, healthcare and consumer technology, all employ photonics technology in leading edge applications.
«We are delighted to have Dr. Thomas Baer as a keynote speaker for Invest in Photonics 2010,» says Bernard Couillaud, chairman of the Invest in Photonics organizing committee. «Dr. Baer’s extensive contribution to photonics through his involvement with Stanford University and various industries in Silicon Valley has given him a perspective that few people have: the understanding of every stage in the creation and growth of new photonics technologies.»
Dr. Thomas Baer will open the Invest in Photonics event with a presentation on «New Opportunities in Photonics: A Perspective from the Stanford Photonics Research Center«. Baer says that advances in photonic crystal fibers, optical combs, in vitro biophotonic imaging, high efficiency photovoltaic and LED devices, frequently originating in university and government labs, require industry to evolve them for successful translation into useful products. He will highlight examples of innovative photonics.
VC panel discussion moderator, William Magill, managing director of Telesoft Partners will be joined by international panelists from AGF Private Equity, Wheb Ventures, Aloe Private Equity, Adams Capital Management to debate issues concerning the re-emergence of venture interest in photonics.
Among other international speakers at Invest in Photonics 2010 are:
Steven G. Anderson, associate publisher/editor-in-chief of Laser Focus World, whose presentation entitled: «The Photonics Market«, will provide an overview of photonics markets and application segments, highlighting trends in key areas and noting which market segments are likely to present opportunities for driving the future growth of photonics.
Michael Lebby, president and CEO of OIDA, will take a look at green photonics technology and market philosophy that have been evolving over the years in his presentation on: «Green Photonics(TM): Will it Change Our Lives Over the Next Decade?» With the cultural impact for green, clean and energy efficient lifestyle just beginning, he will share what is going to happen over the next decade and beyond for green photonics technology and associated markets.
Dr. Dennis L. Matthews, PhD, Center for Biophotonics, UC Davis and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, will present: «Biophotonics Products, Markets: Current and Emerging and Challenges/Opportunities«. In his presentation, Matthews will report on the Biophotonics marketplace, give a summary of current market studies and make some predictions about opportunities in healthcare and life science research. The dependence of biophotonics on progress in photonics devices and infrastructure will be emphasized.
Andrès Pieczanski, managing director of Jefferies International, will present on «Technology Capital and M&A Markets Review and Outlook«. This covers the impact of the shrinking public company universe, dominance of large cap buyers, and limited number of successful technology exits. He will also talk about the contrast between North American and European capital market activity and key operating metric criteria for investors in public markets.
Presentations at the two-day program will be held in the Margaux Room at The Regent Hotel in Bordeaux (schedule subject to minor changes):
Thursday, March 18, 2010
09:15 – 10:00 – Keynote address: «New Opportunities in Photonics:«
Dr Tom Baer, executive director, Stanford Research Photonics Center (US)
10:00 – 10:45: – «Technology Capital and M&A Markets Review and Outlook«
Andrès Pieczanski, managing director, Jefferies International (UK)
13:30 – 14:15: «Green Photonics(TM): Will it Change Our Lives Over the Next Decade?»
Michael Lebby, president, OIDA (US)
14:15 – 15:00: «The Contributions of Energy Efficient Lighting to Sustainable Buildings and Cities»
Harry Verhaar, senior director of energy & climate change, Philips Lighting (NL)
15:00 – 15:45: «Solar 2.0 – Developments in Photovoltaic Technology»
Toby Ferenczi, lead research scientist, GE Global Research Europe (DE)
17:30 – 18:15: «The Photonics Contribution to Defense and Security»
Jean-François Coutris, executive vice-president, chief operating officer, Optronics & Defense Division, Sagem DS (FR)
Friday, March 19, 2010
08:30 – 09:15: «The Photonics Market»
Steve Anderson, associate publisher/editor-in-chief, Laser Focus World (US)
09:15 – 10:00: «Financing Innovation: The European Added-Value»
Patrick Klein, desk officer, DG Enterprise & Industry, European Commission (BE)
10:00 – 11:00: «Invest in Photonics» – Panel Discussion
Moderator: William Magill, managing director, Telesoft Partners (US)
Panelists: AGF Private Equity (FR), Wheb Ventures (DE), Aloe Private Equity (FR), and Adams Capital Management (US)
14:00 – 14:45: «Telecom: The Challenges – Fiber-to-the-Home Deployment Taking-Off in Europe»
Gerlas van den Hoven, CEO, Genexis (NL)
14:45 – 15:30: «Material Processing and Market Opportunities»
William Shiner, VP Industrial Lasers, IPG Photonics (US)
15:45 – 16:30: «Biophotonics Products, Markets: Current and Emerging and Challenges/Opportunities»
Dennis L. Matthews, PhD, Center for Biophotonics, UC Davis and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (US)
