Anges Québec members invest $935 K in Optosecurity and its airport security software
Québec, April 25th 2013 – Anges Québec is pleased to announce $935 K in financing to Québec-based Optosecurity and its eVelocity airport security software, through 16 of its members, including angel investors Jean-François Grenon and Antony Acciarri.
Optosecurity develops and markets leading-edge security products to improve the control of personal effects and carry-on baggage at checkpoints and main entrances to critical infrastructures. Its eVelocity centralized security software suite was designed to enable airports to improve their security system at security checkpoints. With eVelocity, the X-ray images collected at airport inspection points are sent to a single control centre in real time to be remotely processed in an optimal environment, thus reducing the risk of error, operating costs and passenger wait time.
The Anges Québec financing will enable Optosecurity to market its eVelocity application suite to European airports. “It’s really a critical step for the company,” said Éric Bergeron, President and CEO of Optosecurity. “We developed a product that provides a solution to the growing challenges surrounding airport security management, and we saw a great deal of interest. Integrated security management at checkpoints offers so many benefits that we expect all major airports around the world to introduce this type of solution by 2018. The eVelocity solution is the first of its type to be deployed in an airport, which gives us a major commercial advantage. The Anges Québec financing comes at the perfect time to roll it out on a large scale and gain a large share of this new market. We are pleased with the confidence that these investors have shown us.”
Antony Acciarri and Jean-François Grenon are the two angels who jointly led this investment project at Anges Québec. Mr. Acciarri summarized what encouraged him to invest: “Optosecurity is a Quebec company with a solid team. Its new product, which enhances security in airports while making the experience more pleasant for passengers, can be applied anywhere and has enormous potential on the global market.” Mr. Grenon continued in the same vein: “With the successful deployment of eVelocity in the Amsterdam and Brussels airports, Optosecurity is truly at a turning point. Its software suite, which accelerates and facilities the detection of prohibited items in carry-on baggage, is unique in the world and has the potential to bring a new standard to the field of airport security.”
François Gilbert, President and CEO of Anges Québec, added: “The members of our network know how to recognize the quality of a team and the potential of a product. They are experienced entrepreneurs who have chosen to invest in innovative Quebec companies so that they take their place on the global market. Optosecurity had everything it needed to convince them.”
About Anges Québec
Anges Québec is a network of 120 private investors that identifies, finances and coaches innovative Quebec companies with high growth potential. Anges Québec members invest their capital and expertise in the most promising startup companies. In this capacity, Anges Québec works closely with key Quebec organizations interested in the development and growth of technological innovations.
About Antony Acciarri
Antony Acciarri has over 20 years of experience in investment capital, development, acquisition (LBO) and restructuring companies in Europe and in Canada. He recently co-founded Amalan Capital, an independent company based in Montreal that invests in equity funds in the acquisition of Quebec SMBs. He previously founded Alma Partners, a French investment company specialized in acquiring companies in difficulty, and participated in several investments at Electra Partners and Bridgepoint Capital. Mr. Acciarri has a degree in electronic engineering from the University of Durham in England and an MBA from INSEAD in France.
About Jean-François Grenon
Jean-François Grenon has over 33 years of experience in the technology sector in the United States, Europe and Canada. He has designed and launched various innovative technical products and services on the global market, created several SMBs and completed numerous mergers and acquisitions. While he was at the head of Innova Corporation, he made it go public (NASDAQ) in 1997, then merged it with Digital Microwave Corporation in 1998, creating the world’s number one supplier of radio links to cellular networks. Mr. Grenon has a degree in electrical engineering from the école Polytechnique and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
For more information about the Anges Québec network, go to www.angesquebec.com.
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Source: Anges Québec
François Gilbert
CEO
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