Nanostart increases stake in Singapore-based optical sensor technology firm Microlight Sensors

FRANKFURT, GERMANY & SINGAPORE: As planned, Nanostart AG is increasing its stake in Singapore-based Microlight Sensors to 31 percent. This stems from payment of a second tranche from the round of financing concluded back in 2010. The additional funds will go into commercial expansion, in particular buildup of marketing and sales structures in Asia, seed financing for orders and projects, and development of innovative sensor technologies.

Founded in 2006, Microlight Sensors develops, manufactures, and sells optical systems, instruments, and components for optical sensor technologies. Microlight Sensors’ current products make it possible to capture extremely low-intensity light and radiation near the wavelength range of infrared light. They are deployed for civil security and monitoring purposes, across all illumination conditions of the 24hrs cycle without sensor damage. The sensors deliver equivalent daylight performance during night operations in conditions of extremely low light.

Andreas Kröll, Managing Director of Nanostart subsidiary Nanostart Asia Pte Ltd in Singapore, commented: “We are delighted with Microlight’s performance since the initial investment at the end of 2010. With this in mind, we are pleased to be able to build up our stake.”

Microlight Sensors targets the domestic security market in the Asia-Pacific region, which is expected to increase by around 8.5% per year. The rapid growth forecast can in part be explained by growing civil security requirements and the prevalence of antiquated systems to be replaced.

Nanostart, the lead investor, is investing in Microlight through the Nanostart Singapore Early Stage Venture Fund. The fund is increasing its stake in Microlight from 19 percent to around 31 percent.