BeamExpress Gets $4.5M

GENEVA, Switzerland -- Index Ventures announces the funding of BeamExpress, a spin-off from the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), dedicated to developing advanced optical networking components.

BeamExpress is active in the telecommunications sector, developing next-generation components for optical networks with specific focus on the growing metro and access markets. BeamExpress products are based on unique and proprietary technology developed over several years at the EPFL. The company was founded by a team of world-class scientists, led by Professor Eli Kapon, Professor at EPFL’s Department of Physics, who will take the role of Chief Scientist in the new start up. These key scientists from the EPFL, who have developed the technology and built prototypes over the past 5-7 years, have also joined the company. The Industrial Relations Office (SRI) of the EPFL has played an important role in the technology transfer process, which enables BeamExpress to leverage and further develop significant research conducted at the EPFL. Furthermore, the EPFL will collaborate with the company on future R&D projects.

“Spin-offs from leading European universities and research centers are a key component of our investment strategy and we are delighted to partner with the EPFL on this venture,” commented Giuseppe Zocco, General Partner of Index Ventures. “We see this as a great opportunity to invest in an outstanding team, with extensive experience in optical physics, and to build a leading player in the market space. BeamExpress has tremendous long-term potential and we look forward to continuing to work actively with the company and the EPFL to develop this start-up into a successful, enduring company.”

“It is extremely rewarding to see that a key piece of EPFL research is taken to the next stage of development with the strong support of a world-class venture capital firm, “ remarked Professor Stefan Catsicas, Vice-President of Research at the EPFL.

Index Ventures