CERES provides M & A advisory services to growth companies employing photonics to serve a wide range of markets - from life sciences to consumer electronics to advanced manufacturing

Sell Side M & A Advisory

Photonics technology businesses face market and technological uncertainty in complex ecosystems. Engage CERES’ broad network and strategic insight on the sell side to realize optimum value.

Buy Side M & A Advisory

Great companies are scarce. There is an abundance of investment capital. M & A sales processes are competitive. Partner with CERES on the buy side for clarity of strategic direction and speed to action.

Business Valuation

CERES is highly specialized in valuation of businesses with core photonics technology. Whether closely held or investor owned, be smarter and better prepared for sale or acquisition with CERES on valuation.

Recent Articles


Photonics in Today’s Transformative Age

Today’s transformative age is blurring lines between economic sectors, while creating new and unique opportunities.  With this collision of industries, leaders in traditionally defined sectors are seizing opportunities to create new value for their customers and reshape their businesses.

Linda Smith Honored as Fellow of SPIE

SPIE announces the promotion of Linda Smith to Fellow distinguished through outstanding entrepreneurship in optics & photonics

2023 Mergers & Acquisitions in Photonics

Photonics M&A activity hits low, but strategic buyer appetite for capabilities deals remains relatively strong.

CERES Advises nPoint on Sale to Motion Solutions

CERES announces the sale of nPoint to Motion Solutions. nPoint provides piezo-driven nanopositioning stages, scanners, control electronics and software to OEM's and end-users worldwide.

2020 Mergers & Acquisitions in Photonics

Despite the pandemic, frothy public markets and new normals refuel photonics M&A and IPO markets in 2020

Linda Smith, President of CERES, joins the OSA Foundation Board

The Optical Society is pleased to announce that Linda Smith, President of CERES Technology Advisors has joined The OSA Foundation Board of Directors.

2019 Mergers & Acquisitions in Photonics

In the worldwide photonics industry, 2019 was another record year for M&A in terms of both deal value and deal volume. However, M&A activity for pure-play photonics companies was down from recent years.

2023 Mergers & Acquisitions in Photonics

Photonics M&A activity hits low, but strategic buyer appetite for capabilities deals remains relatively strong.

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Mergers & Acquisitions in Photonics | 2025

Highly differentiated photonics businesses attract strategic buyers and thrive even in periods of macroeconomic uncertainty.

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CERES Advises MLD Technologies on Sale to General Atomics

CERES advises MLD Technologies—a U.S. manufacturer of extreme performance optical coatings—in its sale to General Atomics.

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CERES Advises DiMaxx on Sale to EvolvOptic

CERES advises DiMaxx Technologies - U.S. manufacturer of ultra-high precision laser optics - in its sale to EvolvOptic.

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Mergers & Acquisitions in Photonics | 2025 Three Quarters

Smaller, highly differentiated photonics businesses attract strategic buyers and thrive even in periods of macroeconomic uncertainty.

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2024 Mergers & Acquisitions in Photonics

Photonics M&A is poised to lead a new wave of growth and technological progress, setting the stage for a transformative era.

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Mergers & Acquisitions in Photonics | Jan thru Sept 2024

Photonics M&A shows positive growth with strategic buyer appetite for new capabilities and vertical integration strong in 2024

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Mergers & Acquisitions in Photonics | First Half 2024

Photonics M&A shows positive growth with strategic buyer appetite for new capabilities and vertical integration remaining strong in first half 2024

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Mergers & Acquisitions in Photonics | First Quarter 2024

First Quarter Photonics M&A is off to a slow start, but strategic buyer appetite for capabilities deals remains strong

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Graduate Internship – Financial Analyst

This is a part-time opportunity for an early career professional to work while completing your M.B.A.

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Optical Fiber Conference

March 15, 2026 - March 19, 2026
Los Angeles, CA
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European Photonics Industry Consortium Summit

April 25, 2026 - April 30, 2026
Juan Les Pins, Nice, France
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SPIE Defense + Commercial Sensing

April 26, 2026 - April 30, 2026
Baltimore, MD
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