Zeiss, Philips and Samsung Ventures head key speaker roster at Invest in Photonics(R) 2012

“It is a good time to explore the photonics industry because of the huge opportunities this market presents,” said Giorgio Anania, chairman of Invest in Photonics 2012. “Speakers at Invest in Photonics 2012 will agree that this technology underpins the value chain in so many markets, including medical, cleantech and consumer products. We are very pleased that global brands Zeiss, Philips and Samsung Ventures will take a lead role in this year’s program. These players at the top end of the value chain will give the event an even bigger business-focus.”



Invest in Photonics is a biennial event attracting investors searching for the most innovative, credible and profitable business ventures in photonics, a global industry estimated at EUR 300bn (USD 388bn). [source: Horizon 2020: Research and Innovation in European Photonics, presentation on Photonics Europe 2012 Industry Programme].



The two-day event will host 12 presentations from world-class speakers and high-profile industry leaders in healthcare, cleantech, consumer goods and finance. The focus will be on future technologies and the significant opportunities that photonics offers investors.



“To enable investors to better evaluate and select investments in the photonics industry, we’ll be giving them a clear picture of the five- and ten-year perspective,” Mr. Anania added. “For SMEs looking for capital to fund growth and development, we will be creating a special venue to connect and network with investors. Invest in Photonics is a great opportunity for attendees to strike deals. It is the only high-level investor partnering conference of its kind for the photonics industry.”



This will be the third edition of Invest in Photonics. The event has helped raise EUR 37 million in funding to date.



Invest in Photonics Conference Program

Each key speaker will kick-off one of three sessions being emphasized as an important fast-growth market: cleantech, healthcare and consumer goods. All sessions will conclude with a round table.



Leading the conference on healthcare, Mr. Billardon from Carl Zeiss France will enlighten attendees about the future of healthcare technologies with his presentation on “Trends in photonics in cataract and refractive surgery. Disruptive or up-market strategies?” The healthcare conference will include speakers from Merieux Developpement, Amplitude Systemes, nLIGHT and Adam Capital Management.



Mr Nikol, Philips Lighting, will lead the conference on cleantech that will focus on growing sectors in this market, such as smart lighting. He will be joined by speakers from First Solar and Sofinnova Partners.



Mr. Jeon, Samsung Ventures Europe (SVE), who looks for investment opportunities in consumer IT, mobile/wireless and digital media, will lead the consumer goods conference. In this conference, companies, including Eolite, Intune, ESI and SPI Lasers, will make presentations on growth opportunities in various consumer and professional markets.



A fourth session dealing with competitive developments and trends in Asia will be led by Aloe Private Equity founder Vivek Tandon. Aloe Private Equity specializes in injecting capital into companies with environmentally sustainable technology and establishes strategic partnerships with companies based in India, China and other ASEAN countries.



Elevator pitches

Invest in Photonics organizers aim to select innovative European companies to present elevator pitches of their projects for achieving critical mass by expanding production, developing a new product or increasing sales volume.



SME candidates looking for development and later stage funding had until September 30th, 2012 to submit projects. The organizers will announce the finalists in November 2012. Funding is used to further development, improve operations and efficiency and support sales and marketing.



Business meetings

One-to-one business meetings will run parallel to the conference. More information here.