Optoscribe completes $2.3m Series B investment round

15 Jun 2017

Scottish photonic component developer continues rapid growth in commercializing next-gen glass solutions.

Optoscribe, a developer of glass-based integrated photonics components, based in Livingston, Scotland, has just closed a series B investment round of £1.8 million ($2.3 million) to support its expansion and product development plans.

The funding was led by Scottish business angel investment syndicate, Archangels, and supported by its other existing investors, Par Equity, Scottish Investment Bank and the Optoscribe management team.

The company has developed a platform of capabilities combining 3D waveguides, precise alignment features and optical components in a single integrated glass chip allowing a reduced footprint and increased functionality in communications applications. End products such as optical transceivers support the optical communications networks used in data centers.

Optoscribe’s approach produces optical components at a wafer level, primarily aimed at the high-volume optical transceiver manufacturers supplying the rapidly growing data center market. The devices enable simple and precise coupling of optical fibers to arrays of laser emitters and/or photodetectors within optical transceivers. This allows the transceiver manufacturers to fully automate assembly using Optoscribe’s monolithic single optical interconnect component.

'Growth and value'

Nick Psaila, CEO at Optoscribe, said, “We have delivered significant growth and shareholder value over the past 18 months. The recent opening of our new manufacturing facility in Livingston has further enhanced our ability to supply volume products and support our customers’ needs. This new investment round will enable the company to continue our focussed growth plans and expand both our product portfolio and supply base.”

David Ovens, COO at Archangels, said, “This is an exciting time in Optoscribe’s development. The company has a strong management team and a clear vision in a large and expanding market segment.” Robert Higginson, partner at investor Par Equity, added, “We are interested in companies with disruptive and innovative technology capable of addressing a global market. Optoscribe fits this bill in all respects, and we look forward to supporting the team through this exciting scale-up phase.”

Formed in 2010, Optoscribe uses its innovative laser direct write technology to manufacture glass-based integrated photonic components for the telecommunications and datacommunications markets. These monolithic optical products are primarily used by high volume optical transceiver manufacturers. The company is located in Livingston, UK and recently opened a state-of-the-art 685 square meter feet manufacturing facility.