VCSEL maker Zephyr Photonics acquired by investors, targets commercial markets

Zephyr Cove, NV--Zephyr Photonics has been acquired by Washington, DC-based private equity firm Torch Hill Investment Partners, and is now transitioning to a commercial enterprise orientation. Zephyr will use its patented vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) technology to deliver high-bandwidth, harsh environment photonic solutions for applications that focus on vital national security needs.

To lead the company into its commercial stage, Torch Hill has appointed Tom Steding as CEO. Steding has served as CEO of 10 high-tech companies, most recently with Red Condor, which was acquired by St. Bernard Software (now EdgeWave) in 2010. Steding is also the chairman and founder of Quadrix Partners, a leadership consulting organization for developing high execution organizations. He earned a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from University of California, Berkeley and a master's degree in management from Stanford University Graduate School of Business as a Sloan Fellow.

Steding notes that the acquisition will prime Zephyr for growth with a pipeline of commercial products ready to hit the market in the coming months, particularly in harsh environment data communications with optical interconnect solutions that meet the requirements of military, aerospace, and security applications. The company also expects to make product announcements very soon, he says.

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