Mentha Capital and BNP Paribas Private Equity have invested USD10m in Anteryon, a Netherlands based provider of wafer-scale micro optics.
Mentha Capital and BNP Paribas Private Equity have invested USD10m in Anteryon, a Netherlands based provider of wafer-scale micro optics.
Mentha Capital is a new investor, while BNP Paribas Private Equity already invested in Anteryon in December 2008.
Anteryon’s patented WaferOptics technology is used in the production of micro-optics for miniature camera modules, LED optics and VCSEL (laser) modules.
Anteryon’s manufacturing facilities in Eindhoven and China produce millions of WaferOptics lens stacks monthly for several mobile phone manufacturers around the globe.
With the newly invested capital Anteryon will boost its worldwide manufacturing facilities, including an extension of the facilities in Eindhoven and the set up of a new state of the art production facility in the Far East.
Gert Jan Bloks, Anteryon’s chief executive, says: ‘We are very excited with the quality and commitment of Mentha Capital and BNP Paribas Private Equity. Their experience in the consumer industry and their business development and strategy support skills will contribute to our future success. In order to service the huge volumes demanded by the market, we will expand our mass production capacity but in the meantime we will also investigate additional ways of scaling our business, such as partnering with other players in the supply chain and/or licensing our technology.’
Gijs Botman, co-founder and managing partner of Mentha Capital, says: ‘We believe that Anteryon’s disruptive WaferOptics technology will shape the market for camera modules. Being the first to supply mass production volumes to the largest handset manufacturers, Anteryon is the leading player in this market. As such Anteryon will take advantage of the further penetration and growth of camera modules in mobile phone handsets. Besides, Anteryon’s technology creates a huge opportunity to address other fast growing markets including the LED optics and VCSEL laser modules markets. Anteryon’s strong management team is well equipped to master the challenges associated with such rapid growth.’
