NanoOpto of Somerset, New Jersey, engaged in applying proprietary nano-fabrication technology to the design and high-volume manufacture of nano-optic devices for optical components and systems,

1. Having received initial venture financing in February 2001 and broken ground on its own fab in September 2001.

2. In March 2002, having achieved general sampling status on select optical subcomponents.

3. In January 2003, having achieved ISO 9001:2000 registration for its nano-fabrication facility.

4. By 2005, having begun full volume production, with its optical devices being incorporated into consumer electronics products and fibre optic communication networks.

Has announced the initial closing of $5 million for its Series D financing round by the full team of existing venture investors, bringing the total investment in NanoOpto to date to $51 million.

The company has also appointed as VP of Sales and Marketing, Kenneth McCauley, most recently VP of Business Development at International Quantum Epitaxy and before that VP of Worldwide Sales at Anadigics, with experience also at Lucent Microelectronics, where he built a global sales team in the telecom and wireless market segment.

Barry Weinbaum, president and CEO of NanoOpto, asserted:

• "In five years, NanoOpto has gone from a nascent, ground-breaking innovator to a maturing company focused on operations and very solidly in the revenue growth stage".

• "We are one of only a few nanotechnology companies anywhere in the world to achieve successful commercialisation, and our investors see our potential".