World Leader in Ultra-Low-Power Optical Link Technology to Invest in Ramping up Production, Expanding its Design Team and Setting Up Local Support in Asia

Antwerp, September 10, 2018 – Silicon Line GmbH (www.silicon-line.com), the global leader in developing and providing innovative ultra-low-power optical link solutions for the consumer electronics as well as the commercial and industrial markets, has raised €8.2 ($9.5m) in a Series B financing round led by Capital-E .

Additional investors in the Series B round include LRM,  Munich Venture Partners and Unixtar. The proceeds will be used to ramp-up production of the company’s optical modules – tiny circuit boards inside cable connectors; for upgrades to the company’s component factory located in Hasselt, Belgium; for the hiring of additional design engineers; and for the opening of local customer support offices in Asia.

Capital-E, LRM and Munich Venture Partners are existing investors from the company’s Series A round which closed in March 2015 and raised a total of €23m ($26.78m). Unixtar, one of the company’s contract manufacturers, is a new investor.

In many high-speed data applications, copper wire cables are reaching their physical limits in terms of connectivity – especially true for distances greater than one meter. Ultra-low-power optical link technology represents the path ahead for a broad range of consumer electronics and industrial applications. According to some market research estimates, the optical interconnect market will reach $7b by 2020.

Other market drivers are:

• the proliferation of personal, portable devices – including phones, tablets, notebooks, augmented and virtual reality headsets and more – placing a premium on thin, flexible, lightweight cables that minimize power consumption and susceptibility to electromagnetic interference;
• specialized camera applications in healthcare, scientific research, national defense and other markets; and
• size and weight considerations in a broad range of consumer/industrial segments including automotive, motive and aviation.

“The team has built a formidable portfolio of technologies and products which are already influencing current and future product developments in North America, Asia and Europe,” said Ruud van der Linden, CEO, Silicon Line. “We’re grateful to our funding partners – past and new – who are providing the resources required to allow the company to expand and capture the market opportunity we have created.”

“In much the same way where copper cables began to collapse in datacenters, there is now a significant role to play for active and passive optical cables in consumer and automotive electronics. Silicon Line has the critical components at scalable pricing levels to make this transformation to last.”, said Pascal Vanluchene, Partner, Capital-E.

“Silicon line has achieved a great breakthrough on a high-tech market. As an investment company, we are very pleased to be able to give such a fast-growing company, operating from Corda Campus in Hasselt, Belgium, the extra boost they need”, said Lieven De Jonge, Head of Smart Manufacturing, LRM.

“Silicon Line’s team has realized a remarkable breakthrough technology platform enabling many applications for international markets, such as consumer electronics, medical devices, industrial and new virtual reality/augmented reality,” said Rolf Nagel, managing director, Munich Venture Partners.

About Capital-E

Capital-E is one of the few Venture Capital Funds in Europe with sole focus on investments in the area of micro/nano-electronics and advanced materials. Typically, the fund invests in companies making roughly 1 M€ in product sales. Capital-E invests mainly in Western Europe. The team of Capital-E plays an active role as partner and often as board member from the moment of first investment until the exit. More information about Capital-E can be found under https://www.capital-e.com.

About LRM

LRM is an investment company that develops and stimulates economic growth in Limburg, a former mining region in Belgium. LRM provides a solid foundation so that companies and projects that create jobs in Limburg can grow. Our financial resources and expertise, together with the assets of our region, provide a unique breeding ground.

About Munich Venture Partners

MVP is the cleantech venture capital specialist based in Munich. As an independent venture capital organization, we have set ourselves a strong goal: To assist today’s innovators to become tomorrow’s market leaders. Munich Venture Partners concentrates on venture capital for high-tech start-up companies with growth-oriented and profit-generating projects. Our commitment focuses on Europe and on selected international investments. MVP is one of Germany’s largest cleantech venture capital specialists.

About Unixtar

Established in 1986, Unixtar is an advanced electronics manufacturing company with multiple facilities in China and Cambodia. The company manufactures a broad range of cables and cable assemblies, consumer electronics products, electro-mechanical assemblies, circuit boards and active optical cables for major global customers. Unixtar has 4,500 employees and sales revenues of $130m.

About Silicon Line

Silicon Line GmbH is the global leader in ultra-low-power optical link solutions enabling thin, lightweight and long high-speed cables for consumer electronics, commercial and industrial applications. The company develops and manufactures integrated circuits and modules which allow simple, low-cost, high volume assembly of active optical cables and the use of densely packed lightweight passive optical cables. Founded in 2005, Silicon Line is based in Munich, Germany with offices in Korea, Japan, Taiwan, China and the United States.