Canatu develops and manufactures innovative 3D formable and bendable films and touch surfaces that enable unprecedented design freedom and enhanced user experiences for automotive and consumer electronics applications.
Their technology sits at the heart of transformations currently impacting a range of industries, including automotive, connected devices, entertainment and wearables. The emerging automated, digital and connected world requires new forms of human-machine communication that are interactive, intuitive, and seamless.
Founded in Finland in 2004, Canatu works with some of the world’s leading automotive suppliers and has numerous design wins for next-generation products in consumer electronics.
This capital raise will enable Canatu to increase its innovation lead, broaden its global presence, and scale-up in order to meet growing market demand.
Canatu develops and manufactures innovative 3D formable and stretchable films and touch sensors that enable unprecedented design freedom and raise user experiences to the next level for touch devices. Based on proprietary technology, these transparent and conductive films can be integrated into plastic, glass, textile or leather, enabling 3D touch displays, smart switches and other intuitive user interfaces. Canatu supplies these unique CNB™ films and touch sensors to touch module vendors and OEM’s in several industries, including automotive and consumer electronics. Canatu is headquartered in Finland, with sales locations in Europe, US, China and Taiwan, Japan and Korea. Canatu – Shaping surfaces into experiences.
Denso Corp., headquartered in Kariya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, is a leading global automotive supplier of advanced technology, systems and components in the areas of thermal, powertrain control, electronics and information and safety. Its customers include all the world's major carmakers. Worldwide, the company has more than 200 subsidiaries and affiliates in 38 countries and regions (including Japan) and employs more than 150,000 people. Consolidated global sales for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017, totalled US$40.4 billion. Last fiscal year, Denso spent 9.0 percent of its global consolidated sales on research and development. Denso common stock is traded on the Tokyo and Nagoya stock exchanges.
Ascend Capital Partners is a leading China-focused financial firm committed to providing world-class corporate finance services to top Chinese corporations as well as foreign multinationals seeking to establish or expand their presence in China. Through its private equity investment branch, Ascend Capital Partners provides growth capital to emerging enterprises.
Founded in 1997, Faurecia has grown to become a major player in the global automotive industry. With 330 sites including 30 R&D centers, 100,000 employees in 34 countries, Faurecia is now a global leader in its three areas of business: automotive seating, interior systems and clean mobility. Faurecia has focused its technology strategy on providing solutions for smart life on board and sustainable mobility. In 2016, the Group posted total sales of €18.7 billion. Faurecia is listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange and trades in the US over-the-counter (OTC) market.
Canatu announces a capital raise of €12 million from two new investors, Denso Corporation and Ascend Capital Partners, as well as existing investor Faurecia.
Bryan, Garnier & Co acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Canatu on the transaction. The participation of new investors from Japan and China illustrates our support for Europe’s best companies in achieving their global ambitions.
This Series D capital raise builds on the earlier €22 million Series C capital raise in summer 2016 that we also advised on, and marks a continuation of our expertise in smart industries and automotive technologies.
Sami Lampinen, Chairman of the board at Canatu and Managing Partner of Inventure comments, “Bryan, Garnier & Co has a great understanding of deep technology companies and a strong worldwide investor network. They saw Canatu’s potential back in 2013 when the technology was pre-commercial. Since then, they have stayed the course with us by supporting the company through two investment rounds with prominent global investors as the company has seen increasing commercial success”.