Organisation:
Optoscribe Limited
Lead Advisor:
Kevin Lonergan
Location:
Livingston
Contact:
Dr Nick Psaila, Founder & CEO
Sector:
Photonics
Overview:
Optoscribe is a manufacturer of photonic integrated circuits for the communications industry. They produce 3D interconnect chips that simplify the use of new types of optical fibre developed for ultrahigh bandwidth communications networks in a robust, reliable and repeatable format.
The company is a spin out of the School of Engineering and Physical Sciences at Heriot Watt University, incorporated in June 2010. The company’s manufacturing technology is based on more than 5 years of academic research in the field of materials processing using ultra-short laser pulses. The key unique enabling capability of the technology is the ability to produce three dimensional light guides inside a glass chip, which is not possible using conventional processing.
Challenge:
The company had several requirements when they moved into the Alba Innovation Centre including help and advice on evaluating a number of market opportunities and also to review and evaluate a range of strategy options for growing the business. They also needed help to secure investment and grant funding to grow the business over the next 3 years.
Solution:
Kevin Lonergan helped Optoscribe in many key areas of the business: -
Outcomes:
As a result of the support provided by the Alba Incubation Service advisory team, Optoscribe increased their international sales by £100k from the USA and Japan and helped them employ an additional employee into the business to focus on working on the 2 FP 7 EU Projects. The Alba team has also helped Optoscribe secure a FP 7 EU Grant of 600,000 Euros.
The company secured £1.2m equity investment from Archangels, Par Equity and Scottish Investment Bank in 2016 to enable the company to grow quickly by opening-up a state of the art 7,400 square feet manufacturing facility in March 2017
Optoscribe Limited
Lead Advisor:
Kevin Lonergan
Location:
Livingston
Contact:
Dr Nick Psaila, Founder & CEO
Sector:
Photonics
Overview:
Optoscribe is a manufacturer of photonic integrated circuits for the communications industry. They produce 3D interconnect chips that simplify the use of new types of optical fibre developed for ultrahigh bandwidth communications networks in a robust, reliable and repeatable format.
The company is a spin out of the School of Engineering and Physical Sciences at Heriot Watt University, incorporated in June 2010. The company’s manufacturing technology is based on more than 5 years of academic research in the field of materials processing using ultra-short laser pulses. The key unique enabling capability of the technology is the ability to produce three dimensional light guides inside a glass chip, which is not possible using conventional processing.
Challenge:
The company had several requirements when they moved into the Alba Innovation Centre including help and advice on evaluating a number of market opportunities and also to review and evaluate a range of strategy options for growing the business. They also needed help to secure investment and grant funding to grow the business over the next 3 years.
Solution:
Kevin Lonergan helped Optoscribe in many key areas of the business: -
- Identifying key routes to market for their Optofan product in the US and Japan and introduced them to SDI to secure marketing support to access these markets, including grant support for overseas exhibitions.
- Provided advice and coaching for the company founder and CEO to develop a strategy for securing a robust funding package for short to medium term growth.
- Helped Optoscribe secure short and medium-term funding to grow the business - c£250k in October 2013 and £750k in March 2014.
- Facilitated introductions into IP consultants to provide ongoing advice and support on protecting the technology’s IP and secured 2 IP audits for the company
- Supported the development of the business strategy to enable Optoscribe to capitalise on all the UK and International market opportunities
- Ultimately, helped Optoscribe transition from a spin out to development and growth stage and into Account Management status within Scottish Enterprise.
Outcomes:
As a result of the support provided by the Alba Incubation Service advisory team, Optoscribe increased their international sales by £100k from the USA and Japan and helped them employ an additional employee into the business to focus on working on the 2 FP 7 EU Projects. The Alba team has also helped Optoscribe secure a FP 7 EU Grant of 600,000 Euros.
The company secured £1.2m equity investment from Archangels, Par Equity and Scottish Investment Bank in 2016 to enable the company to grow quickly by opening-up a state of the art 7,400 square feet manufacturing facility in March 2017
