KM Labs Receives Investment From Intel Capital And The Colorado Impact Fund To Commercialize Laser Technologies
(Boulder, Colo.) – November 3, 2015 – Kapteyn-Murnane Laboratories, Inc. (KMLabs), a laser manufacturer that develops ultrafast, short wavelength technologies, today announced it has received a Series A investment led by Intel Capital, with participation from The Colorado Impact Fund (CIF) and management. KMLabs is partnering with Intel Capital and the Colorado Impact Fund to build out its manufacturing capabilities and accelerate product development efforts for new ultrashort-pulse and Extreme UV (“EUV”) laser sources.
Founded in 1994 by Henry Kapteyn and Margaret Murnane, two prominent University of Colorado (CU) Physics professors, KMLabs is a technology leader for high power, high performance femtosecond laser systems, and a pioneer in making practical coherent EUV and x-ray sources—essentially the first commercial tabletop-scale “x-ray laser” light sources. The company is working to put state-of-the-art ultrafast research tools into the hands of leading scientists worldwide and has gained the attention of system manufacturers in several industries who hope to partner with the company to commercialize their next generation technologies. This investment will enable the business to begin expansion into one or more attractive commercial markets.
“KMLabs continues to lead the industry with state-of-the-art performance, while simultaneously simplifying systems for the scientists doing the work. For broader appeal, as these systems become more powerful, they must also become more flexible, user-friendly, and reliable,” says Henry Kapteyn, Founder and CEO of KMLabs. “KMLabs is thrilled to be partnering with Intel Capital and the Colorado Impact Fund, which will bring resources, strategic alignment and common goals to our effort to expand into exciting new markets. The technologies that we have commercialized are based on fundamental new physics discovered and developed only over the last two to three decades—and they promise to play an enabling role for 21st century industry. KMLabs has a deep reservoir of expertise to make this happen—and now we have the engagement and resources from two outstanding and pioneering organizations.”
The investment was announced at the Intel Capital Global Summit in San Diego. Intel Capital is an experienced investor in the laser market and provides a number of advantages including industry knowledge, technical expertise, and important customer relationships. Investment dollars will go towards strengthening KMLabs’ engineering capabilities to further enhance its core business, while simultaneously building out a more commercially-focused portfolio and manufacturing infrastructure.
“Intel’s investment in KMLabs is a great example of cooperation between Semiconductor Research Corporation (SRC), universities, and industry,” said Robert Bruck, Intel’s Corporate Vice President and General Manager of Global Supply Management. “Through commercialization of scientific discoveries from Dr. Kapteyn and Dr. Murnane’s world-class research group at the University of Colorado, Intel’s investment in KMLabs will enable semiconductor equipment suppliers to have access to technology needed to create yield management and process tools for future generations of semiconductor technology.”
KMLabs is a spin-off of the basic research effort established by Murnane and Kapteyn, who have worked at JILA, an institute on the University of Colorado, Boulder campus, since 1999. JILA was established in 1964 as a joint research institute between CU and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and leads the US in a number of research areas including Laser and Optical Physics. The University of Colorado will benefit from KMLabs’ future success through a royalty arrangement and minority ownership. Assisting in the successful commercialization of CU’s intellectual property is within the mission of CIF and of benefit to the state’s higher education system.
“The Colorado Impact Fund is specifically aimed at assisting innovative companies that generate positive community impact and competitive returns for our investors,” said Ryan Kirkpatrick, Partner of the Colorado Impact Fund. “The laser technology that KMLabs has developed has very attractive commercial applications that could meaningfully benefit the semiconductor fabrication, nanotechnology, ophthalmology, and the bioimaging industries.”
About KMLABS
KMLabs is a technology leader for high power, highest performance femtosecond laser systems, and the market definer for coherent EUV and x-ray sources. KMLabs supplies advanced systems to research, government, and industrial markets. The company’s status within the industry is maintained by advancing ultrafast laser technology via research partnerships and by putting state-of-the-art ultrafast research tools into the hands of leading scientists worldwide. KMLabs is known for rapidly transitioning innovation into new products as well as for manufacturing robust laser systems based on proven technology. KMLabs establishes and maintain strong customer relationships at all stages of development. During the past year, two of KMLabs’ lasers have set new performance records, and its strong technical base has resulted in increased commercial revenue and government R&D funding. www.KMLabs.com
About Intel Capital
Intel Capital, Intel’s strategic investment and M&A organization, backs innovative technology startups and companies worldwide. Intel Capital invests in a broad range of companies offering hardware, software, and services targeting computing and smart devices, cloud, datacenter, security, the Internet of Things, wearable and robotic technologies and semiconductor manufacturing. Since 1991, Intel Capital has invested nearly US$11.6 billion in over 1,400 companies in 57 countries. In that timeframe, 213 portfolio companies have gone public on various exchanges around the world, and 377 were acquired or participated in a merger. Through its business development programs, Intel Capital curates thousands of meetings each year between its portfolio and Intel’s partners in the Global 2000. For more information on what makes Intel Capital one of the world’s most powerful venture capital firms, visit www.intelcapital.com or follow @Intelcapital.
About Colorado Impact Fund
The Colorado Impact Fund is a venture capital firm, managed by an affiliate of Vestar Capital Partners, which is dedicated to supporting local Colorado companies that generate consistent investment returns in addition to positive community outcomes. Investors in the Fund include some of Colorado’s most respected executives, families, foundations and corporations, each of whom is committed to making a difference in the State of Colorado and beyond. Targeting investments in the areas of community health, natural resource conservation, education and workforce development and economic development, the Colorado Impact Fund leverages its collective experiences, resources and networks to help Colorado entrepreneurs create exceptional and lasting companies. For more information visit www.coloradoimpactfund.com.
Contact: Courtney Lis (970) 581.6231 Courtney@vocapr.com Alana Watkins (303) 916.2752 Alana@vocapr.com