High-Tech Gründerfonds takes a stake in Dresden based sim4tec GmbH

Sim4tec GmbH is a spin-off from the Technical University of Dresden and CreaPhys GmbH and is active in the area of organic electronics. Sim4tec develops and distributes software for simulation of physical processes in organic devices. The bases of the sim4tec technology were developed in the framework of successful research projects between physicians involved in the semiconductor technology at the Institute for Applied Photophysics at the Technical University of Dresden, namely Dr. Robert Nitsche, Matthias Kurpiers-Günther, Jens Drechsel and Prof. Karl Leo. Thus, the team of founders of sim4tec comprises renowned physicians, who have already gained experience in the establishment of new enterprises such as Novaled AG and Heliatek GmbH.

Sim4tec’s special focus is on the simulation of organic light emitting devices (OLEDs). OLEDs have been identified already for a long time as excellent candidates for future displays and lighting applications. This new material class is foreseen to not only lead to more brilliant display pictures and highly efficient, energy-saving light sources, but in particular to low-cost and environment-friendly products.

But why can’t we still buy OLED-TV’s off the shelf, although OLED-development has been carried out for more than 20 years by now? Dr. Robert Nitsche, co-founder and managing director of sim4tec, explains: “The key to low-cost OLEDs is, besides the production process itself, mainly a high OLED efficiency and a deep knowledge of the physical processes taking place within the device. Using our software, customers can calculate OLED key figures like brightness, colour and efficiency already at the computer at minimal computation times and before even entering the production environment! This leads to accelerated OLED development cycles and a significant reduction of R&D costs.”

The High-Tech Gründerfonds has identified the potential of this new simulation technology and closes with its investment into sim4tec another gap in the value chain of OLEDs: the simulation of processes. Nicolas Kirschner, investment manager of the High-Tech Gründerfonds, elaborates on the chances: “We know about the importance of a professional simulation environment from the classical semiconductor market, especially with respect to a reduction of costs. While classical EDA-software is practically indispensable, the simulation technology for organic devices is still at its infancy. We believe that the OLED technology will soon make the breakthrough and that an OLED simulation environment is then a must-have for any producer of OLEDs. The existing know-how of sim4tec combined with the strong partners in the “Organic Valley Dresden” are ideal prerequisites for our investment into sim4tec.”

Contact:
sim4tec GmbH
Arnoldstr. 18b
01307 Dresden
Germany
Phone: +49 351 4466499
info@sim4tec.com
www.sim4tec.com

About High-Tech Gründerfonds:
High-Tech Gründerfonds invests venture capital in young, high-opportunity technology companies implementing promising research results in an entrepreneurial manner. The start-up companies are planned to lead their R&D projects to the production of a prototype or a “proof of concepts” or market launch by means of seed financing of up to 500k EUR. High-Tech Gründerfonds has a fund volume of around 272m EUR. Investors of the public-private partnership are the Federal Ministry for Economics and Technology, the KfW bank group as well as the six industrial groups BASF, Deutsche Telekom, Siemens, Robert Bosch, Daimler and Carl Zeiss.

Contact:
High-Tech Gründerfonds Management GmbH
Nicolas Kirschner
Ludwig-Erhard-Allee 2
53175 Bonn
Germany
Tel: +49 228 96568500
Fax: +49 228 96568550
info@high-tech-gruenderfonds.de
www.high-tech-gruenderfonds.de