Capital for laser-based photoacoustics

High-Tech Gründerfonds and MAZ level one investing about EUR 550k in PAS-Analytik GmbH. The aim with this investment is to further develop the technology of laser-based photoacoustics and to push entry into the market for industrial and medical gas analysis.

PAS-Analytik GmbH was established in 2009 as an innovative, high-tech business spin off from Helmut Schmidt University in Hamburg. The enterprise develops, produces and distributes spectroscopic gas sensors for industrial and medical applications. PAS-Analytik GmbH gas analysis systems operate on the highly effective principle of photoacoustics.

Senior Investment Manager Klaus Lehmann puts the case for High-Tech Gründerfonds investment as follows: “The demand for high-grade measuring technology on the market for gas analysis is steadily rising. The call is for innovative technologies that provide major benefit to the customer. Our investment will fund a highly innovative technology in the growth sector involving industrial and medical gas analysis; we are also investing in an exceptionally dynamic company that will certainly be able to master the market’s challenges.”

Dr Heiko Milde, managing director of MAZ level one GmbH, sees the investment in PAS-Analytik GmbH as a way of ensuring Hamburg’s future: “Hamburg needs more innovative businesses in the high-tech sector. PAS-Analytik stands an excellent chance of successfully prevailing on the market. That is why we are investing.”

PAS-Analytik’s innovation
PAS-Analytik GmbH is the world’s only provider of gas sensors that are based the exceptionally effective measuring process of laser-based photoacoustics. Background-free measurement is one of the particular advantages of photoacoustic spectroscopy versus other methods. This means that no signal is generated without an absorbing component. As there is no need for long absorption lengths and need for only a minimal number of components, this principle is therefore especially well suited to making simple and compact gas sensors. The use of laser technology even makes it possible to differentiate between various isotopes of the same gas. Short detection periods also make online measurement possible. PAS-Analytik GmbH is among the first in the world to employ these lasers as radiation sources for photoacoustics.

PAS-Analytik’s photoacoustic gas sensors stand out with their major customer benefit as well as their low purchase and operating costs, and they are predestined for industrial measurement tasks.

PAS-Analytik’s products are used in the energy sector, in the semiconductor industry and in the petrochemical industry.

A market with continually mounting requirements in terms of measuring accuracy, measuring speed and measuring selectivity calls for a high degree of innovation and the related research. The objective of this funding round is also to continue to provide innovative and high-quality products that meet customer requirements. PAS-Analytik was advised in attracting new investors by the Hamburg-based corporate finance consultancy CatCap.

About PAS-Analytik GmbH
Hamburg-based PAS-Analytik Gasanalytik GmbH develops, produces and markets innovative analyzers that detect gasses and measure their concentration. The Company’s name is derived from the acronym for “photoacoustic spectroscopy” – P A S. PAS-Analytik GmbH is the world’s only provider of gas analyzers that are based on the proprietary and exceptionally effective measuring method of “laser-based photoacoustics”. This principle enables extremely high detection sensitivity and selectivity, and enables production of particularly simple and compact gas analyzers. These analyzers work with both laser light sources and broadband light sources. PAS-Analytik has a wealth of experience in the development of such analyzers.

Contact:
PAS-Analytik GmbH
Dr. Hinrich Groninga
Albert-Schweitzer-Ring 14
22044 Hamburg
Tel.: +49 40 6685 33 00
info@pas-analytik.com
www.pas-analytik.com

About MAZ level one
As a specialist for providing finance and advice to very young technology enterprises in northern Germany, MAZ level one gets involved as early as the start-up phase or shortly thereafter in order to give promising, innovative business ideas the best possible start.

Contact:
MAZ level one GmbH
Dr. Heiko Milde
Habichtstraße 41
22305 Hamburg
Tel. +49 40 6579805-91
Fax +49 40 6579805-93
milde@mazlevelone.com
www.mazlevelone.com

About CatCap GmbH
CatCap advises companies and their shareholders on strategic capital measures, i.e. business acquisitions or disposals, or in the execution of capital increases. CatCap is therefore the right contact for businesses that, like PAS-Analytik, wish to finance their start-up or growth with funds from institutional or private investors.

CatCap is based in Hamburg, is independent of banks, has fifteen staff and is run by two partners.

Contact:
CatCap GmbH
Mark Miller
Valentinskamp 24
20354 Hamburg
Tel: +49 40 300836-0
mark.miller@catcap.de
www.catcap.de

About High-Tech Gründerfonds
High-Tech Gründerfonds invests venture capital into young, high-potential technology companies that convert promising research results into successful businesses. The seed financing provided aims to enable start-ups to take their R&D propositions to the development of a prototype, proof of concept and possibly market launch. High-Tech Gründerfonds initially invests an amount of EUR 500,000 and can invest up to a combined total of two million Euros per company in subsequent financing rounds. Investors in this public/private partnership are the German Federal Ministry for Business and Technology (BMWi), the KfW Banking Group as well as the six industrial companies BASF, Deutsche Telekom, Siemens, Robert Bosch, Daimler and Carl Zeiss. High-Tech Gründerfonds has approximately 272 million Euro under management.

Contact:
High-Tech Gründerfonds Management GmbH
Klaus Lehmann
Senior Investment Manager
Ludwig-Erhard-Allee 2
53175 Bonn
Tel.: +49 228 82300-100
Fax: +49 228 82300-050
k.lehmann@high-tech-gruenderfonds.de
www.high-tech-gruenderfonds.de