All of our panelists have leadership roles in photonics companies that have undergone several transitions on their paths to building profitable, growing firms from small, bootstrapped origins. Some have moved from components to adding full systems solutions; all have added multiple sites to their operations; many have been part of making acquisitions or being acquired. Our goal in this session is get their advice for navigating the issues SME photonics firms face because they lack the infrastructure and capital bases of large firms. A few of our questions: How to choose new applications or market sectors? How to address customer and competitive cost pressures? How to maintain, add, pivot employee resources and enhance satisfaction? How to manage supply chain risks? How to think about funding, M&A, or joint venture opportunities?

Moderator: John Dexheimer

Panelists: