Category: News

GaN Systems launches highest current gallium nitride power transistor on market at 60A
New GS66516T 650V E-Mode power switch with top side cooling, low inductance GaNPX™ packaging and ultra low FOM Island Technology™ suits high frequency, high efficiency power conversion

OTTAWA, Ontario – May 19, 2015
GaN Systems Inc., a leading developer of gallium nitride power switching semiconductors, today launches the latest addition to its successful range of E-mode GaN-on-Silicon high power transistors based on its three core proprietary technologies. The new GaN high-power enhancement-mode device, designated the GS65516T, boasts the highest current capability on the market at 60A and further expands GaN Systems’ range of power switching semiconductors.

The GS65516T 650V E-mode power switch features GaN Systems’ new proprietary topside cooling configuration announced in March this year, which allows the device to be cooled using familiar and conventional heat sink or fan cooling techniques. It is based on the company’s ultra-low FOM
Island Technology® die design, packaged in low inductance and thermally efficient GaNPX™ packaging and measures 9.0mm x 7.6mm x 0.45mm. Additional features of the GS65516T 650V E-HEMT include reverse current capability, integral source sense and zero reverse recovery loss. Dual gate pads help design engineers achieve optimal board layout. The GS65516T suits high frequency, high efficiency power conversion applications such as on-board battery chargers, 400V DC-DC conversion, inverters, uninterruptable power supplies (UPS) and VFD motor drives, AC-DC power supplies (PFC and primary) and VHF small form factor power adapters. The GS65516T is available to customers packaged on tape and reel or mini-reel, through GaN Systems’ worldwide distribution partners. Pricing is available on request.

“GaN is real and happening right now.” says Girvan Patterson, President, GaN Systems. “Our devices boast industrial-scale power and since becoming available commercially last year, hundreds of leading companies across the globe have embraced our technology to make sure they are among the first to market with new products that bring the benefits of GaN to products ranging from solar inverters to ultra-slim TVs. The major players are well aware that gallium nitride device technology is a true game-changer. GaN Systems’ core IPs make our devices easier for designers to work with, and we are now seeing real products that harness GaN’s power come to market. For example, on our stand here at PCIM, we are showing a vehicle power inverter from leading US technology company, DRS Technologies, a 2 kWh tactical power pack from Virideon, and a 5kW 3-phase inverter power module from LS Industrial Systems of Korea.”

GaN Systems is the first company to have developed and brought a comprehensive product range of devices with current ratings from 8A to 250A to the global market – its Island Technology® die design, combined with its extremely low inductance and thermally efficient GaNPX™ packaging and Drive Assist technology means the company’s GaN transistors offer a 40-fold improvement in switching and conduction performance over traditional silicon MOSFETs and IGBTs. Devices are available now through its worldwide distribution network.

About GaN Systems
GaN Systems is a fabless semiconductor company that is the first place systems designers go to realize all the benefits of gallium nitride in their power conversion and control applications. To overcome silicon’s limitations in switching speed, temperature, voltage and current, the company developed the most complete range of gallium nitride power switching transistors for a wide variety of markets. GaN Systems’ unique Island Technology® addresses today’s challenges of cost, performance, and manufacturability resulting in devices that are smaller and more efficient than other GaN design approaches. The company is headquartered in Ottawa, Canada. For more information, please visit: www.gansystems.com

GaN Systems raises USD$20 Million in Series C Financing
Set to lead the power semiconductor industry through largest innovation cycle in decades

OTTAWA, Ontario – May 7, 2015

GaN Systems Inc., the leading developer of gallium nitride power switching semiconductors, today announced a USD$20 Million venture capital financing. Cycle Capital Management led the round and was joined by BDC Capital and Beijing-based Tsing Capital, as well as existing investors Chrysalix Energy Venture Capital and RockPort Capital. As GaN Systems’ customers launch multiple consumer and enterprise products designed with its gallium nitride (GaN) transistors, this financing will enable the company to ramp up sales and marketing support for its rapidly growing international customer base and to continue manufacturing line expansion.

GaN-based transistors are increasingly positioned to disrupt the $15 Billion power transistor market, and GaN Systems is one of the clear leaders in realising this potential. The company’s innovative Island Technology® results in devices that are smaller and more efficient than traditional silicon design approaches. Its products enable previously unseen switching efficiencies that lead to more sustainable energy use and increased power efficiency, while reducing costs and environmental impacts of some of the world’s fastest growing industries.
GaN Systems’ breakthrough power electronics transistors can be used for a wide range of applications, from more efficient data centers and solar inverters, to thinner TVs, smaller more powerful motors, longer range electric vehicles (EVs), and a multitude of other consumer, enterprise, industrial and transportation applications.

“By dramatically increasing power electronics efficiency while reducing resource consumption and environmental impacts, GaN Systems’ innovative Island Technology is emerging as the leading solution for the power semiconductor industry which now faces a major shakeup. We see great value in supporting a company that is well on its way to becoming a leader in this multi-billion dollar market. This deal was led by Cycle Capital’s Managing Partner Claude Vachet and our semiconductor seasoned investment team, and we are very excited to welcome GaN Systems as the newest addition to our portfolio,” said Andrée-Lise Méthot, Founder and Managing Partner at Cycle Capital.

“With a long history of cleantech venture capital investing in China, we are pleased to add GaN Systems to our portfolio of energy efficiency companies. China represents one of the largest and fastest growing markets for power electronics globally, and we look forward to helping support GaN Systems’ expansion and product delivery,” added Michael Li, Managing Partner at Tsing Capital.
“We are delighted to welcome a diverse group of investors who collectively will provide critical financing, strategic advice, and additional entry points into growth markets while we establish GaN Systems as a recognised leader in the power semiconductor market,” said Jim Witham, CEO of GaN Systems. “As I visit customers around the world, they are showing me how our technology is enabling more efficient products that are one quarter the size and one quarter the weight, as well as entirely new products that could only be achieved with our super-high speed switches.”

About GaN Systems
GaN Systems is a fabless semiconductor company that is the first place systems designers go to realize all the benefits of gallium nitride in their power conversion and control applications. To overcome silicon’s limitations in switching speed, temperature, voltage and current, the company developed the most complete range of gallium nitride power switching transistors for a wide variety of markets. GaN Systems’ unique Island Technology® addresses today’s challenges of cost, performance, and manufacturability resulting in devices that are smaller and more efficient than other GaN design approaches. The company is headquartered in Ottawa, Canada. For more information, please visit: www.gansystems.com For more information: www.allianceswitch.ca

The Investors
About Cycle Capital Management
A pioneer among Canadian venture capital funds focused on the clean-tech sector, Cycle Capital invests in companies developing and commercializing clean technologies and striving to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, optimizing resource use, and improving process efficiency throughout a product’s life cycle. With assets under management of $230 million, Cycle Capital invests in Quebec and northeastern North America. Cycle Capital is composed of experienced investment professionals, strategic advisors, and industrial partners with in-depth knowledge of the sector. Cycle Capital has a special relationship with its strategic partners, notably Brookfield Renewable Energy, Rio Tinto Alcan, Cascades, Group M3, Lonza, Gaz Métro, Systemex Énergies, Aluminerie Alouette, and Hydro-Québec.

About Tsing Capital
Founded in 2001 on the philosophy of “Doing Well by Doing Good©,” Tsing Capital has since become one of the leading global investors in environment and cleantech investment. With the vision that sustainability would be a fundamental paradigm shift in human activities and create the greatest economic opportunity of our time, the firm invests in cleaner and better ways of producing and living, including renewable energy, environment protection, new materials, energy efficiency, sustainable transportation, IOT, greener production, etc. As China emerges as the largest market, Tsing Capital is poised to seek superior returns for its investors environmentally, socially, and financially.

Decision-makers from the Business, Non-profit and Environmental Sectors to Come Together to Accelerate the Shift towards a Green Economy in Canada

Montreal, March 19th, 2015 – On the day before the Quebec climate summit, to be attended by the provincial and territorial premiers, SWITCH, the Alliance for a Green Economy in Quebec, will present the Canadian Roundtable on the Green Economy – Québec City 2015. This forum will bring together over 150 decision-makers from different economic, non-profit and environmental sectors to discuss actions we can take to accelerate the shift towards a green economy in Canada. Specifically, discussions will deal with the most effective ways to adopt carbon pricing and to promote sustainable and innovative urban development. This working meeting, to be co-chaired by Sophie Brochu, President and CEO of Gaz Métro, and Ed Whittingham, Executive Director of Pembina Institute, will include nearly 30 speakers and panelists from various sectors. It will be held at the Québec City Convention Centre on Monday, April 13.

“We are gathering decision-makers of all backgrounds from across the country who share the belief that the green economy must become the engine of Canada’s economic development. To reach this goal, we must implement innovative solutions to accelerate the transition to a prosperous, environmentally responsible economy. The energy sector is at the heart of this transition, and we are proud to contribute to this conference,” said Sophie Brochu, President and CEO of Gaz Métro and Co-chair of the Canadian Roundtable on the Green Economy – Québec City 2015.

“We are facing unprecedented environmental challenges. Scientists confirm that we are coming dangerously close to the limits of what the planet can sustain. And a healthy economy depends on a healthy environment. The economy of the future will favour energy-efficient companies that make use of resources wisely. We are pleased to see that the trend towards a green economy in Canada is gaining momentum. We must act now if we are to be leaders in tomorrow’s economy,” stated Ed Whittingham, Executive Director of Pembina Institute.

Nearly 30 speakers and panelists
The panelists and speakers who will participate in this working meeting include: Stewart Elgie, Founder and President, Sustainable Prosperity; Merran Smith, Director, Clean Energy Canada; Chris Ragan, Chair, Canada’s Ecofiscal Commission; Scott Vaughan, President, International Institute for Sustainable Development; Guy Drouin, President, Biothermica; Peter Robinson, Chief Executive Officer, David Suzuki Foundation; Steven Guilbeault, Cofounder and Senior Director, Équiterre; Simon Olivier, Vice President of Growth, Market Strategy and Business Development, General Electric Canada; Jean Simard, President and CEO, Aluminium Association of Canada; Denis Leclerc, President and CEO, Écotech Québec, President, International Cleantech Network; David Miller, President and CEO, WWF Canada; Marc-Antoine Ducas, President and CEO, Netlift, Katie Sullivan, Director of North American Policy & International Climate Finance, IETA. Mr. David Heurtel, Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and the Fight against Climate Change, Quebec, will also take part in the event.
The full schedule is available at http://allianceswitch.ca/en/roundtable-2015

The Canadian Roundtable on the Green Economy – Québec City 2015 is an initiative by SWITCH, the Alliance for a Green Economy in Quebec. The Roundtable receives financial support from Clean Energy Canada, the lead partner of the event, as well as from the Quebec government’s Green Fund, the Aluminium Association of Canada and the David Suzuki Foundation.

About SWITCH

SWITCH, the Alliance for a Green Economy in Quebec, seeks to accelerate the shift towards a green economy in order to build an innovative, resilient and economically competitive society that balances social equality, the environment and quality of life. The Alliance works towards clear social, political and economic vision and leadership, greater consistency in government policies and actions, and the convergence of initiatives for a green economy in the public, private, cooperative/mutual, non-profit and civil society sectors.
The Alliance brings together organizations from different economic, financial, non-profit and environmental sectors: Cycle Capital Management, the David Suzuki Foundation, Écotech Québec, Équiterre and the Aluminium Association of Canada. It also collaborates with a number of partners that make up its advisory committee: Desjardins Group, Enerkem, Innergex, WWF, the CSN, Gaz Métro and the RNCREQ.
For more information: www.allianceswitch.ca

Source:
Shelley Kath
[email protected] / 514-799-2478

Jim Blome, President & CEO of Bayer CropScience L.P. and Head of Crop Protection for its North American region, has joined the Board of Directors of Montreal agriculture biotech company Inocucor Technologies, Inc. as Independent Non-Executive Chairman.

Inocucor’s President and CEO, Donald R. Marvin, a veteran of the North American bioscience industry, said Blome will bring perspective from his 25 years in mainstream agriculture to Inocucor’s board. The announcement of Blome’s board appointment coincides with his speaking engagement at the World Agri-Tech Investment Summit in San Francisco today.

“The range of potential customers for Inocucor’s products is huge,” said Marvin. “We want our board to reflect the perspective of all of agriculture, from the dedicated organic farmer to the mainstream production farmer who wants to increase yields from innovative technologies.”

Inocucor produces biological soil, seed and plant accelerators that improve yields, and promote healthier, more resilient soils and plants for organic farmers, greenhouse growers and mainstream production farmers. Its first-generation product, Inocucor™ Garden Solution® is approved as a water treatment in the provinces of Quebec and Ontario, Canada and as a soil amendment in 23 U.S. states. It is OMRI Listed® for use in organic production.

Blome said his interest in Inocucor stems from its pioneering work in biologicals for agriculture that are available to farmers now.

“Everyone in agriculture is optimistic about the potential of these cutting-edge biologicals to help create healthier soils and offer additional solutions as part of best management practices for growers,” said Blome, who was raised on his family’s Hubbard, Iowa, farm and has worked in agriculture for 25 years. “Inocucor’s technology is unique, because it combines mixed groups of yeasts and bacteria, rather than a single species, into one solution.”

Inocucor was founded in 2007 by two Canadian scientists, Dr. Margaret Bywater–Ekegärd and Ananda Lynn Fitzsimmons, who combined their knowledge of the human and plant microbiomes to create biological soil and plant accelerators for agriculture. The company’s patented fermentation process for isolating and combining naturally occurring yeasts and bacteria is similar to that used in winemaking.

In its first two years of field trials for row crops at McGill University, Inocucor’s second-generation bio-stimulant product for large-scale agriculture produced yield increases of at least 10 percent. In a 2014 trial with Packman Broccoli by Clemson University’s Sustainable Agriculture Program, Inocucor-treated plants with its first generation product, Garden Solution, out-yielded untreated broccoli by 38 percent. Recent trials can be viewed at http://inocucor.com/science/field-studies

In early February 2015, Inocucor closed an interim round of financing from Cycle Capital Management with participation from Desjardins-Innovatech. Inocucor has co-product development partnerships underway with Axter Agrosciences Inc., one of Canada’s leading providers of foliar feeding crop solutions, and with McGill University’s Department of Plant Sciences.

About Jim Blome

James Blome is the President & CEO for Bayer CropScience LP and the Head of Crop Protection for the North American region. He grew up on a family farm in Hubbard, Iowa and is a graduate of Iowa State University. Blome has more than 25 years of leadership experience in agriculture. Prior to his current position at Bayer CropScience, he held executive positions at Valent (Sumitomo Chemical), Agriliance LLC, Agtrol International and Griffin LLC. He currently serves on the Executive Board of Directors for CropLife America, the Sponsors Board of Directors for Future Farmers of America, the North Carolina Agricultural Biotechnology Advisory Council, MBA Executive Advisory Council for Iowa State University and as Chairman of the National Wild Turkey Federation’s Foundation Board. He is the 2013 recipient of the Henry A. Wallace Award from Iowa State University for outstanding leadership and service to agriculture.

About Bayer CropScience

Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the fields of health care, agriculture and high-tech materials. Bayer CropScience, the subgroup of Bayer AG responsible for the agricultural business, has annual sales of EUR 8,819 million (2013) and is one of the world’s leading innovative crop science companies in the areas of seeds, crop protection and non-agricultural pest control. The company offers an outstanding range of products including high value seeds, innovative crop protection solutions based on chemical and biological modes of action as well as an extensive service backup for modern, sustainable agriculture. In the area of non-agricultural applications, Bayer CropScience has a broad portfolio of products and services to control pests from home and garden to forestry applications. The company has a global workforce of 22,400 and is represented in more than 120 countries. This and further news is available at: www.press.bayercropscience.com.

The Minister of Energy and Natural Resources announced that Andrée-Lise Méthot, Founder and Managing partner of Cycle Capital Management (CCM), was chosen to be part of the first group of experts consulted for the development of Quebec’s next energy plan. This group is mandated to discuss the future of energy in Quebec and provide recommendations to improve Quebec’s leadership in efficiency and innovation in the energy sector.

Six other experts, from Quebec, United States and Norway, specialised in implementing energy productivity solutions and energy public services are also part of the group. Louis Carbonneau, Venture Partner at CCM and principal at Point Law Group is also part of the group.

There will be two other roundtables on renewable energy and hydrocarbons. Ultimately, the intention for this initiative is to stimulate discussion and to arrive at a consensus on a plan to extend Quebec’s leadership in renewable energy, energy efficiency and energy innovation.

To know more, subscribe to the public consultation or participate to the online discussion forum, go to www.Politiqueenergetique.gouv.qc.ca.

To watch the video recording http://webcasts.pqm.net/client/mrn/event/1346/fr/.

 

About Cycle Capital Management

A pioneer among Canadian venture capital funds focused on the clean-tech sector, Cycle Capital invests in companies developing and commercializing clean technologies and striving to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, optimizing resource use, and improving process efficiency throughout a product’s life cycle.

With assets under management of $230 million, Cycle Capital invests in Quebec and northeastern North America. Cycle Capital is composed of experienced investment professionals, strategic advisors, and industrial partners with in-depth knowledge of the sector. Cycle Capital has a special relationship with its strategic partners, notably Brookfield Renewable Energy, Rio Tinto Alcan, Cascades, Master Group, Lonza, Gaz Métro, Systemex Énergies, Aluminerie Alouette, and Hydro-Québec.

Inocucor Technologies, Inc., the Montreal-based ag biotech company that develops sustainable soil, seed and plant accelerators for agriculture, today announced it has raised an interim round of investment capital from two of Canada’s leading financial groups.

Cycle Capital Management, a Montreal Cleantech venture capital fund that made its first investment in Inocucor in late 2013, led the round with participation from Desjardins Innovatech, Canada’s leading cooperative financial group with more than $200 billion in assets.

The investment will fund further commercialization of Inocucor’s patented technology, which uses fermentation similar to winemaking–employing up to an unprecedented 15 strains of compatible yeasts and bacteria–to produce powerful solutions that improve seed germination and increase crop yields.

“All eyes in agriculture are focused on biological, rather than chemical, solutions to improve yields and build healthy soils,” said Donald R. Marvin, president and CEO of Inocucor. “Cycle Capital and Desjardins are helping fund Inocucor’s important mission to create new sustainable products that help farmers feed a growing world population.”

Marvin said this investment sets the stage for the imminent launch of a major equity financing to accelerate the company’s commercialization of its second-generation cell-free bio-stimulation product targeting the production agriculture market. Proceeds from this financing may also be used to acquire complementary technologies and products currently under review by the company.

“Over the past year, we have watched Inocucor achieve several important technology and product development milestones and are very excited to continue our investment in the company to pursue its development,” said Andrée-Lise Méthot, founder and managing partner of Cycle Capital Management.

Roland Leger, Investment Manager for Desjardins Innovatech, said “We look for cutting-edge companies with game-changing technologies that have the capability to impact and transform major world markets. We found that at Inocucor and are very pleased to join this financing.”

Inocucor’s growth strategy is focused on establishing commercial partnerships that include its intellectual property as a key ingredient for new bio-stimulation and bio-protection products for large-scale production farmers. It also plans to make strategic acquisitions that will speed the commercialization of its proprietary microbial consortia technology and broaden its product pipeline.

Last September, Inocucor cemented its first commercial strategic partnership with Axter Agrosciences Inc., one of Canada’s leading providers of foliar feeding crop solutions, to develop products based on the combined action of Inocucor’s second-generation cell-free growth stimulant and Axter’s biostimulants, CropBooster® and RR SoyBooster®.

In October, Inocucor and McGill University signed a research and licensing agreement to co-produce a new class of sustainable bio-stimulant products for large-scale agriculture that have the potential to increase crop yields by at least 10 to 15 percent.

Inocucor’s first-generation product, Garden Solution®, is currently being sold to organic farmers, traditional farmers and greenhouse growers in the U.S. It has been shown to consistently speed germination and increase crop yields by an average of 10 to 15 percent. Its Aqua Solution® is sold as a water conditioner for ornamental ponds in Canada.

 

About Inocucor Technologies, Inc.

Inocucor Technologies, Inc., based in Montreal, is an ag biotech company that develops sustainable biological products for agriculture targeting the phyto-microbiome—the seeds, plants, root systems and the soil surrounding them. Inocucor’s first-generation product, Garden Solution®, employs live microbes to actively improve the health of the entire phyto-microbiome. Future generations of Inocucor products are powerful cell-free biological solutions for bio-stimulation and bio-protection in mainstream production agriculture. For more information, visit www.inocucor.com.

About Desjardins Innovatech

Desjardins –Innovatech provides capital, business network and expertise to assist companies and cooperatives in their growth, expansion, mergers, acquisitions or IPO.

About Cycle Capital Management

A pioneer among Canadian venture capital funds focused on the clean-tech sector, Cycle Capital invests in companies developing and commercializing clean technologies and striving to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, optimizing resource use, and improving process efficiency throughout a product’s life cycle. With assets under management of $230 million, Cycle Capital invests in Quebec and northeastern North America. Cycle Capital is composed of experienced investment professionals, strategic advisors, and industrial partners with in-depth knowledge of the sector. Cycle Capital has a special relationship with its strategic partners, notably Brookfield Renewable Energy, Rio Tinto Alcan, Cascades, Master Group, Lonza, Gaz Métro, Systemex Énergies, Aluminerie Alouette, and Hydro-Québec.

 

 

Source: 

Michele Wells

Michele Wells Communications

+1 303-417-0696

[email protected]

Andrée-Lise Méthot, Founder and Managing Partner of Cycle Capital Management (Cycle Capital) is pleased to announce that Amit Srivastava has joined her team as Senior Partner.

With more than 20 years of experience in venture capital, Amit brings to Cycle Capital team a very rich experience in international business development. Until recently, Amit served as Managing Partner and CEO of Entrepia Ventures. Prior to joining Entrepia in 2001, he worked for seven years at JP Morgan Chase, including four years at JP Morgan Partners (formerly Chase Capital Partners), where his responsibilities included leading venture capital investments in the electronics sector, oversight of private equity investments in India, and serving as the Portfolio Manager of a private equity portfolio of over 700 investments in the United States, Europe, Latin America and Asia, with an aggregate carried value exceeding $10 billion. He led or was a major investment team member in 17 deals where he invested a total of $114.5 million. Before he worked at JP Morgan Chase, he was a Principal for five years at Mercer Management Consulting, where he advised major global IT and communications companies on strategy, business development and operational effectiveness. Earlier in his career, he held marketing and engineering management positions during five years at Texas Instruments.

It is with pride that Cycle Capital welcomes Amit Srivastava among its team members. “To have had the privilege to work with Amit in recent years, I realize very well that he will add great value to Cycle Capital’s portfolios companies who will benefit most certainly from his knowledge of business development in foreign markets”, said Andrée-Lise Méthot. Amit Srivastava holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, India, and a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. 

About Cycle Capital Management

A pioneer among Canadian venture capital funds focused on the clean-tech sector, Cycle Capital invests in companies developing and commercializing clean technologies and striving to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, optimizing resource use, and improving process efficiency throughout a product’s life cycle.

With assets under management of $230 million, Cycle Capital invests in Quebec and northeastern North America. Cycle Capital is composed of experienced investment professionals, strategic advisors, and industrial partners with in-depth knowledge of the sector. Cycle Capital has a special relationship with its strategic partners, notably Brookfield Renewable Energy, Rio Tinto Alcan, Cascades, Master Group, Lonza, Gaz Métro, Systemex Énergies, Aluminerie Alouette, and Hydro-Québec.

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Info :    Andrée-Lise Méthot, 514 865-3620, [email protected]

 

Thank you!

Enerkem voted in the 50 Hottest Companies in Biofuels annual list for a sixth consecutive year

Further to the recent announcements of our entry in the China market to build waste-to-biofuels facilities in partnership with three Chinese companies, Enerkem is proud to be ranked 14^th in Biofuels Digest’s annual list of the 50 Hottest Companies in Biofuels 2014-15.

The 50 Hottest Companies list recognizes innovation and achievement in the biofuels sector. The ranking is based on votes from a panel of international selectors and from subscribers of Biofuels Digest.

From all of us at Enerkem, THANK YOU!