Philips’ spin-out gets $US10m

Private investment firm Mentha Capital and BNP Paribas have invested US$10m in Anteryon, the Netherlands-based manufacturer of wafer-scale micro optics.

Anteryon is a spin-out of Philips electronics and its patented WaferOptics technology is used in the production of mobile phone cameras.

The company will use the new funding to expand its manufacturing capacity including extending its facilities in Eindhoven and set-up a new facility in the Far East. Although Mentha is a new investor, BNP Paribas already invested in the Dutch company in December 2008.

Managing partner of Mentha Capital, Gijs Botman said: “Anteryon will take further advantage of the penetration and growth of camera modules in mobile phone handsets. Anteryon’s technology creates an opportunity to address other growing markets including LED optics and VCSEL laser module markets.”

Anteryon spun-out from Koninklijke Philips Electronic in March 2006. An investment consortium, called Anteryon International, bought all the remaining ordinary shares in Anteryon from Koninklijke Philips Electronic.