Funding boost for optical firm

Livingston-based optical technology business Optoscribe has closed its latest investment round, saying it will catalyse growth and enable extended commercial engagement.

Thefundinground–believed to be about seven figures – was led by Scottish angel investment syndicate Archangels, with participation from Maven Capital Partners, Par Equity and the Scottish Investment Bank.

The firm – which develops and manufactures integrated glass-based photonics components – said its “innovative and proprietary” laser direct-write technology produces optical components at a wafer level, primarily for optical communications applications such as optical transceivers in the rapidly growing data centre market, or precision fiber alignment structures and interconnects for high-density fiber-optic connections.

It added that its offering enables manufacturers to adopt more automated, high-volume assembly processes, resulting in major savings.

Optoscribe boss Nick Psaila said: “We have made great progress over the past year… This investment round will enable us to increase the range of our commercial engagement, continue with our focused growth plans and the development of our range of unique products and solutions, with the anticipation of a further investment round within the next 18 months.”

David Ovens, joint MD at Archangels, said: “The company has significantly expanded its range of commercial engagements over the past 12 months and we are delighted to be able to support the company through this next period of significant growth.”

David Milroy, partner at Maven Capital Partners, said: “Since our initial investment, Optoscribe has launched a range of best-of-breed solutions for the precise alignment of optical fibres and partnered with a number of the leading players in the datacom, telecom and optics markets.”