NLight Photonics In Town, Waiting for New Plant

NLight Photonics was founded earlier this year to develop technology to improve the transmission capacity of fiber-optic communications cables. Substantial completion of its new facility is set for February. The company is operating on $ 7.2 million in first-round venture capital funding from Mohr, Davidow Ventures of Menlo Park, Calif., which has funded several photonic-related businesses.

Tenant improvements will take at least another three months. Occupancy is set for July. By the end of next year, the company hopes to have 40 people working at the plant. By 2004, assuming all goes as planned, nLight is predicting an expanded plant could employ as many as 1,000 people. nLight reportedly expects to invest up to $ 1.5 million for tenant improvements in the new building and another $2 million to $3 million in equipment.