Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: Cyrium Technologies Raises $15 Million Investment Round

Home > Press > Cyrium Technologies Raises $15 Million Investment Round

Abstract:
Maker of High Efficiency Solar Cells Advances Toward Commercial Products

Cyrium Technologies Raises $15 Million Investment Round

Ottawa, Canada and San Jose, CA | Posted on August 1st, 2008

Cyrium Technologies, a developer of high efficiency multi-junction solar cells for concentrator
photovoltaic systems, announced today that the firm has closed a Series B round of funding for a total of $15 million.

The round was led by The Quercus Trust of Costa Mesa, California.

Major investors from previous rounds of financing also participated in this round including: BDC Venture Capital, Chrysalix Energy Venture Capital, and Pangaea Ventures Ltd.

Cyrium is a developer of innovative solutions in the solar renewable energy field.
Cyrium's solar cell technology significantly improves power generation while
reducing its cost thereby making large scale power generation using concentrator
photovoltaic systems commercially feasible. Product development at the
company continues to go extremely well and the company is looking to work with
a number of different customers as it prepares its first products.

Steve Eglash, CEO of Cyrium Technologies, welcomed The Quercus Trust
investment. "Cyrium's momentum has been building steadily and the
concentrator photovoltaic market is poised for rapid growth. The strong support
of all of our investors including The Quercus Trust will help Cyrium to achieve
critical milestones."

Commenting on the investment, Purnesh Seegopaul of Pangaea said: "Cyrium
is on the threshold of developing solar cell technology that will enable CPV
systems to achieve grid parity. That's something we feel is important and we are
pleased to be part of the team that makes that happen."

Simon Fafard, Founder and CTO, is excited about the B-round financing: "This
investment is what Cyrium needs to commercialize its solar cells and enable
CPV to be more competitive, thus promoting massive deployment of renewable
solar energy."

Funds from the Series B round will be used to further the development and
testing of Cyrium's photovoltaic solar cell products and establish volume
manufacturing.

####

About Cyrium Technologies
Cyrium Technologies is developing a proprietary breakthrough technology that
significantly increases photovoltaic solar cell efficiency over state of the art
products. The company received its first venture capital funding in 2004.
Cyrium’s strategy is to become a leader in the design and production of high
efficiency photovoltaic solar cells. The company’s product addresses the
concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) market and enables a substantial cost reduction
in solar power. As part of its product and commercialization strategy, Cyrium is
working with leading CPV system manufacturers to address their worldwide
product and business needs.

About BDC Venture Capital

BDC Venture Capital is a major venture capital investor in Canada, active at
every stage of a company’s development cycle, from seed through expansion.
Its focus is on technology based businesses with high growth potential that are
positioned to become dominant players in their markets. Established in 1975,
BDC Venture Capital has invested in over 400 firms to date. It currently
manages some $500 million in venture capital investments in the life sciences,
telecommunications, information technology, and advanced technology sectors,
as well as investments in funds. Visit www.bdc.ca for more information.

About Chrysalix Energy Venture Capital

Chrysalix invests in and supports compelling technology and management teams
that address the changing needs of the global energy market. Founded in 2001,
Chrysalix actively works with clients and supports them with deep industry and
technical knowledge, management and board assistance, organized networking
with industrial and financial partners, management of intellectual property and
access to capital.

Chyrsalix investment partners include Ballard Power Systems, BASF Venture
Capital, BOC, Citigroup, Consensus Business Group, Delta Lloyd, Essent,
Kuwait Petroleum Corp, Lexington Partners, Mitsubishi Corp, Robeco, Shell
Hydrogen, Teachers Private Capital and WestLB Mellon Asset Management.
Visit www.chrysalix.com for more information.

About Pangaea Ventures

Pangaea Ventures is a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage advanced
materials, energy and environmental technology companies. It has offices in
Vancouver and New Jersey and makes investments across the United States
and Canada.

Managing two funds at this time, the Pangaea team provides effective support to
its portfolio companies with its deep domain knowledge coupled with start-up
operational and transactional expertise. Visit www.pangaeaventures.com for
more information.

About The Quercus Trust

The Quercus Trust, a privately held family trust, is a prominent investor in the
alternative energy sector, with investments in both privately held and publicly
traded companies.