Seren Photonics Ltd of Pencoed Technology Park, UK, which was spun off from the University of Sheffield in 2009 with funding from venture capital firm FusionIP plc (now part of IPGroup plc), was one of six firms to win an award for best business and investment opportunity at the 1st European Photonics Venture Forum (EPVF) held in Rome, Italy on 16 April.
Organized by the European Photonics Industry Consortium (EPIC) of Paris, France, the event was conceived to enable European technology companies with high potential to gain access to more than 30 venture finance companies and to present to a panel of investment experts.
Seren has commercialized technology developed by professor Tao Wang of the University of Sheffield's Electronic and Electrical Engineering Department and uses nano-engineered structures to enhance the properties of III-nitride materials.
Seren's business plan, presented by CEO Dr Carl Griffiths, highlighted the potential of semi-polar gallium nitride (GaN) material in LEDs and other photonic applications, as well as the significant growth potential for the firm as interconnected light-emitting devices become ever more embedded in everyday products.
"Receiving this award is an acknowledgment of the growth potential and compelling value proposition offered by Seren's semi-polar GaN products," says Griffiths. "As we now begin the process of ramping up to larger volumes and larger wafer sizes, it's always pleasing to receive positive validation of our business plan."
