New Partner at Pond
This press release was issued today by EML, further information is available from pond@eml.com
Ref: EMJ2361 (High-res jpeg of Pond's Mike Gera available from pond@eml.com )
Dr Mike Gera becomes new Partner at Pond Ventures
Gera takes on a new role at UK's leading early-stage VC
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RICHMOND, SURREY - 25 April 2002 Pond Venture Partners Ltd, the leading UK early stage technology venture capital firm, has appointed Dr Michael Gera as full Partner. Pond is currently working with its $80 million Pond 2 Fund and has over $90 million under management. Pond's most notable success to date was its $3 million investment in Microcosm, which was sold to Connexant in 2000 for $200 million. Mike joined Pond Ventures as an Associate Partner in May 2000. "I saw an opportunity to use both my technical knowledge and business acumen in an innovative venture capital company such as Pond," said Gera. "There is no other European early-stage venture capital firm working to the same model as Pond and it is an exciting place to be. |
"Mike is currently combining his new role with that of Chairman and Interim CEO of Pond's new portfolio company Essient Photonics, a spin-out from Glasgow University launched last month.
"We are unusual in the venture capital field," commented Charles Irving, one of Pond Ventures' founding partners. "Our aim is to become closely involved with a potential portfolio company at the earliest possible stage, a very 'hands-on' approach. Mike's background makes him ideally suited to the job."
Mike moved to Pond from Merrill Lynch where he worked in its Private Equity Group. Earlier, Mike worked in a Software Engineering and Distributed System-focused JV based in Berlin. Born in Malta, Gera speaks seven languages including French, German, Italian, Russian and Spanish. He holds a BSc and a PhD in Computer Science from Imperial College in London and an MBA from INSEAD in Fontainebleau, France.
A full biography of Dr Mike Gera is available on request from pond@eml.com
About Pond Venture Partners
Pond Venture Partners Ltd. manages venture capital funds exclusively targeting early-stage technology companies in the UK and Europe. By working closely with founders to add value to its companies, through building of management teams, customer introductions at senior levels, helping establish US and Japanese operations, and managing subsequent venture rounds, Pond is bringing Silicon Valley-style venture capital to Europe. With offices in London, Silicon Valley and Tokyo, Pond has US$90 million under management. At the 2002 European Technology Forum Pond won the Best Early Stage/Seed Investor award. Pond is regulated by the FSA. For more information please see http://www.pondventures.com/
About Essient Photonics
Headquartered in Glasgow, Scotland, Essient's technology is based upon 8 years of leading edge research conducted at the University of Glasgow. Essient aims to become a leading supplier of integrated III-V optoelectronic components for modulation and detection in 10Gbps and 40Gbps systems. The company has achieved significant breakthroughs in the design and manufacture of these components and will offer products that demonstrate significant reductions in physical size and power dissipation. Essient's products use drive voltages of 100mV, a fraction of today's levels. Essient's unique technology platform enables the integration of many of the functions presently realised on a handful of discrete separately packaged components to be integrated onto a single chip. In turn, this allows engineers to reduce their power budget, while increasing integration possibilities.
Pond Ventures
Contact:
Dr. Mike Gera
+44 (0) 20 8940 1001
mike
EML Contact:
Juliet Philip
+44 (0) 20 8408 8000
julietp@eml.com