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The trend of small and middle market consolidation in the highly fragmented photonics industry, as well as in the vertical market segments it enables, persists. Given uncertainly around the future role of government regulation and public policy, it is likely that organic growth will remain muted and strategic buyers will continue to absorb targets - sustaining a pattern of consolidation through 2013.

Whether you are buying, selling, or planning - access to relevant, current, and accurate information is critical. CERES is offering a free subscription to CERES Photonics Tech Wire, a bi-weekly newsfeed on M & A and private placement transactions in the photonics industry and the markets it serves. Subscribe now and gain access to valuable transaction data.

The International Society of Optics and Photoncis (SPIE) is working with lobbying firm, Podesta Group, to organize a state-level grassroots push for the National Photonics Initiative (NPI) while legislators are home for the summer recess, August 5 to September 6.

The whirlwind of Merger & Acquisition activity in the photonics industry continues with the volume of transactions in the first quarter of 2012 sustaining the pace of 2011.

The photonics industry and the vertical market segments that the industry enables are in their infancy poised for rapid growth or already on a steep growth curve. The LED industry is where the semiconductor electronics industry was in the mid 1960’s. Laser based research laboratory instrumentation that enabled the mapping of the human genome and ground-breaking discoveries in proteomics is now being deployed at the point-of-the-care to deliver personalized diagnostics and therapies. Optical communications, display and camera technologies continue to fuel smarter phones and tablets.  The list of enabled markets is exhaustive.

Understanding today’s expected rate of return for private capital from venture capital to private equity to asset based lenders, premiums paid for businesses by strategic buyers, and industry dynamics help business valuation professionals advise business owners in making better investing and financing decisions.

Private placements in development stage and high growth photonics businesses are robust. In 2012, a reported $16 billion in almost 900 transactions goes to work commercializing technology and scaling businesses with core enabling technology in photonics.

SPIE Startup Challenge is a high-stakes, global competition where entrepreneurs in photonics have just 5 minutes each to pitch their businesses to a team of expert judges and vie for $100,000. Join Linda Smith who will be judging the final round February 1 at Photonics West in San Francisco, 3:30 to 6:00PM, concluding with a networking reception. This is a fantastic opportunity to meet entrepreneurs, strategic investors, and local Silicon Valley venture capital and angel investors.

Whether you are buying, selling, or planning - access to relevant, current, and accurate information is critical. CERES offers transaction data from its database of M&A and private placement transactions for target companies employing photonics technologies. It includes access to more than 10,000 M&A and private placement transactions, detailed target company descriptions, comprehensive deal comments, valuation multiples, and more. And is segmented by industry and market for quickly finding relevant information.

2010 began with Merger & Acquisition transactions closing at numbers consistent with the low levels of 2009. Activity was low in the first quarter given uncertainties about the economy, healthcare legislation, and weak pricing offered by buyers. Activity increased second quarter and now there is a whirlwind of activity taking place.