Corporate | 12 September 2011 06:00

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

Nanostart AG / Key word(s): Miscellaneous

12.09.2011 / 06:00

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

– Fund investment increased from 19% to 31%

– Development, production and sales of high-tech optical systems

– Products for fast-growing USD 20 billion market in Asia

Frankfurt / Singapore – September 12, 2011 – As planned, Nanostart AG is increasing its stake in Singapore-based Microlight Sensors to 31%. 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% to around 31%.

About Nanostart:
Nanostart AG, headquartered in the German financial capital of Frankfurt, is the world's leading nanotechnology investment company, with portfolio companies spanning the globe from Silicon Valley to Singapore. The company provides venture capital financing for nanotechnology companies in various growth phases with a focus on innovation-driven industries of the future such as cleantech, life sciences and IT/electronics. Through its subsidiary Nanostart Asia and venture capital fund in Singapore, Nanostart is proud to be the investment partner of the Singaporean government. For further information please visit www.nanostart.de and www.nanostart-asia.com .

About Microlight:
Microlight Sensors designs, develops and assembles fully-integrated optical sensor and scanning systems for specialty applications in the homeland security and commercial spectral instrumentation systems market. Microlight's unique high-end optical systems are attributed to its proprietary sensor designs and in-house professional team of optical designers and engineers, providing Microlight the capabilities to 'tailor-make' optical systems with strict quality assurance controls for customers. Microlight has developed strong active partnerships with institutions and customers worldwide.

Disclaimer:
This notice constitutes neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of offers to purchase or subscribe to securities. There will be no public offering of securities of Nanostart AG in conjunction with the existing listing of its shares in the 'Entry Standard' segment of the regulated unofficial market ( Freiverkehr ) on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. This notice does not constitute a securities prospectus. Neither this notice nor the information contained within is intended for direct or indirect distribution within the Canada, Australia or Japan.

Media contact:
Nanostart AG
Head of Coporate Communications
Dr. Hans Joachim Dürr
Goethestrasse 26-28
D-60313 Frankfurt
Germany
phone: +49 (0)69-21 93 96 111
fax: +49 (0)69-21 93 96 122
e-mail: presse@nanostart.de

End of Corporate News

12.09.2011 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP – a company of EquityStory AG.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

DGAP’s Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.
Media archive at www.dgap-medientreff.de and www.dgap.de

138828  12.09.2011