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Sensitive Object secures 2 million € Series A financing round from Sofinnova Partners

06/09/2004

New Funding and Management Appointments Help Sensitive Object to Command Devices at Your Fingertips

Paris, 6 September 2004 - Sensitive ObjectTM today announced that it has secured a Series-A funding round of EUR 2 million from Sofinnova Partners. The company also announced that co-founder Dr. Ros-Kiri Ing has been named president, and that Hubert Cospain has joined the company as CEO. Jean Schmitt from Sofinnova Partners will join the Board of Directors
Sensitive ObjectTM was created in 2003 by scientists from CNRS and University of Paris 7, to promote ReverSysTM, an innovative new technology that can modify our comfort and convenience through the sense of touch. The company’s patented technology is based on a revolutionary process of “time reversal acoustics,” which connects inexpensive sensors to the audio input of a computer, in a way that turns common objects into tactile screens, which are capable of relaying information with a simple “tap.”
Sensitive Object’s technology enables people to send email from a table, turn the TV on with an armchair, or render kitchen tables, windows or any rigid surface into a remote control panel with hundreds of touch-sensitive spots.
“Sensitive ObjectTM is precisely the type of company we want to invest in – with breakthrough technology, strong IP, top level scientists, and the ability to attract top managers, ” says Jean Schmitt, Partner at Sofinnova Partners. “During due diligence, numerous prospects have been highly interested. We have been looking for breakthrough technologies in the UI market for a long time, and I am certain that Sensitive ObjectTM is that kind of company.”
“We are very pleased to be backed by a notable venture capital partner like Sofinnova Partners. Sofinnova Partners is uniquely qualified to support us due to their extensive network and experience in the area of disruptive technologies,” declares Ros-Kiri Ing, co-founder and President of Sensitive ObjectTM. “This is a key milestone for our company, because the confidence expressed by Sofinnova Partners validates our strategy to deliver innovative products such as ReverSysTM. We will use our new resources to further develop Sensitive ObjectTM globally. It has long been my dream to make objects intelligent and this dream will now come true on an global level.”
Hubert Cospain, CEO of Sensitive ObjectTM adds: “I am happy and proud to contribute to Sensitive Object’s development and help make the company successful. ReverSysTM is a breakthrough technology that offers critical perspectives on numerous markets and applications. Our next development efforts will focus on electrical command, from switches to control panels, including keyboards and the tactilisation of objects. Each of these markets will benefit significantly from innovative IMM products.”
The collaboration of the University of Paris 7, CNRS, scientists, and executives from Sofinnova Partners to create and fund Sensitive Object confirms that the French research and business communities can work together effectively. 

Company President, Dr. Ros Kiri Ing, founded Sensitive ObjectTM after years of research and experimentation with signal processing technology. Prior to founding Sensitive Object, Ing served as Maitre de Conférences of Physics at the University of Paris 7, where he was involved in the development of laser interferometers for ultrasound detection, and in the study of the time-reversal process applied to surface and guided acoustic waves. Ing has previously worked with the Groupe de Physique des Solides, on laser generation, and he spent several years with the National Research Council of Canada as Research Associated on laser interferometers using photorefractive crystals. He was born in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in 1964. He received the D.E.A. degree in 1987 and the PhD in 1990 in optics and photonics from the Pierre et Marie Curie University, Paris, France.
Sensitive Object CEO Hubert Cospain, brings his 25 experience years in the IT and Telecommunications markets to the company
Prior to Sensitive ObjectTM, Cospain held a variety of senior management positions for companies including Hewlett Packard, Agilent Technologies, and SLP Infoware (a Gemplus company).
In 2002, he develops his own consulting company before being asked to develop Sensitive Object with Ros-Kiri Ing.
Hubert Cospain holds an MS from ESEO and he graduated from INSEAD. He is fluent in French, English and Spanish.

About Sensitive Object
Sensitive Object was created in 2003 by scientists from CNRS and University of Paris 7, to promote an innovative new technology that can modify our comfort and convenience through the sense of touch. ReserSysTM he company’s patented technology is based on a revolutionary process of “time reversal acoustics,” which connects inexpensive sensors to the audio input of a computer, in a way that turns common objects into tactile screens, which are capable of relaying information with a simple “tap.”
A very important R&D is to keep a high level technology and Sensitive Object commercialise its patented technology on a worldwide basis.
www.sensitive-object.com

About Sofinnova Partners
Founded in Paris in 1972, Sofinnova Partners is one of Europe's leading independent venture capital firms. With 500 million euros under management, Sofinnova Partners invests in start-ups and early-stage companies in information technology and life sciences. Its investment strategy is based on two principles: Investing early in projects with a high potential ; and acting as lead or co-lead investor. Sofinnova's investment team consists of 10 professionals, all recognized experts in their field, who bring valuable market insight and technical expertise to Sofinnova's portfolio companies. Since the firm is increasingly solicited for financing pan-European projects, half of Sofinnova's most recent fund, Sofinnova Capital IV, will be invested outside France.

Contact presse :
Isabelle Jourdain
Tél : +33 1 48 25 57 26 ou +33 6 87 71 20 95
email : isabelle@ts2c.com
Sensitive Object is a trademark of Sensitive Object.
ReverSys is a trademark of Sensitive Object
Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.