December 5, 2007... Ottawa, Canada: Cyrium Technologies, an Ottawa (Canada) based firm
developing high efficiency multi-junction solar cells, announced today that the firm has now
secured over $5.5 million in total funding.
Cyrium also announced that Steve Eglash has joined the company as President and Chief
Executive Officer.
Dr. Eglash was a venture capitalist at Worldview Technology Partners. Before that he was Vice
President at SDL (JDSU) where he managed efforts in print, pump lasers, and optical
amplifiers.
Dr. Eglash said Cyrium’s disruptive technology, substantial market potential and strong team
are the factors that attracted him to the company. “The leading edge solar technology
underpinning the company and the vision of its founder and Chief Technology Officer, Dr.
Simon Fafard, motivated me to become part of the team. I look forward to leading the Cyrium
team and producing a rewarding business for our shareholders, employees and partners,” said
Dr. Eglash.
Commenting on the hiring of Steve Eglash to lead the company, Jim Fletcher, Cyrium Board
member and Managing Director at investor Chrysalix Energy, said: “Steve’s leadership and
insight will enable the company to secure a major role in the rapidly growing solar energy
market. Steve’ s strong connections in Silicon Valley will help the company to expand its
operations to include northern California.”
Dr. Fafard commented on the follow on financing and on the addition of Dr. Eglash to the
executive team. “Steve’s experience is closely aligned with Cyrium. His background in
venture capital and in particular with semiconductors, optoelectronics and energy are perfectly
suited to the company’s product roadmap and us. The increased funding moves the company
further down the runway toward commercial availability of its new solar cell.”
The funding was a follow on round from all of the company’s major investors: BDC Venture
Capital, Chrysalix Energy Venture Capital and Pangaea Ventures Ltd.
Commenting on their investment in Cyrium, Purnesh Seegopaul, Cyrium Board member and
partner at Pangaea, highlighted Cyrium’s world-class technology targeting the renewable
energy market. “The time is right for Cyrium. The company’s materials technology and strong
team provide a sustainable competitive advantage. We believe this technology will deliver a
strong value proposition to a highly receptive market.”
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 concentrated 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. www.cyriumtechnologies.com
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. www.chrysalix.com
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. www.pangaeaventures.com
For information
Shaun Markey
613-728-9951