Montreal-based AEPONYX has received Series A funding of CAN$7.9 million ($5.9 million) to fund production of its micro optical switches. Pangaea Ventures led the round, while existing investors Fonds InnovExport and Ecofuel Fund as well as private investors participated as well. The company has received a total of CAN$18 million ($13.5 million) in its history (see, for example, "AEPONYX receives funding for micro-optical switch chip development, production" and "AEPONYX enhances MEMS silicon photonics efforts by joining Silicon Catalyst incubator").
AEPONYX has developed a line of planar micro optical switch chips via a platform that combines silicon photonics with micro-electro-mechanical-systems (MEMS). The company sees the optical switches as applicable to a range of applications, including support of tunable optical transceivers and optical circuit switches.
"With the support of round leader Pangaea and previous investors, we can now accelerate the commercialization of technology driving energy efficient innovation and positive environmental impact," explained Philippe Babin, CEO of AEPONYX. "This funding, combined with the deep expertise of our partners, pave the way for us to redefine switching technology for next-generation fiber-optic telecommunications access networks, data centers, and 5G mobile networks which, combined, represent a multibillion-dollar opportunity."
"The world's large-scale telecommunications networks need to substantially increase their capacity, while at the same time, reducing energy consumption and cost," added Purnesh Seegopaul, general partner of Pangaea Ventures. "We expect that AEPONYX's MEMS and silicon photonics-based micro optical switches to revolutionize fiber-optic communications and to accelerate the transition to the new, faster, and more efficient global NG-PON2 standard."
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