Johan Feenstra, ex-CTO and founder of the Netherlands-based firm, was made CEO following the acquisition. He spoke exclusively to +Plastic Electronics about the deal.
Was an acquisition part of the business strategy for Liquavista?
We were a venture capital-backed company, so at some point our investors are looking for an exit. We felt a while ago that the technology was ready to be picked up by a large manufacturer.
Our long-term business plan was to start licensing the technology, either to partners or on an exclusive basis.
What are the plans for the company as part of Samsung?
Some details are still to be confirmed, but the current plan is for Liquavista to be a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung, so the name and brand remain intact.
The intention is for Liquavista to become a high-class R&D centre for Samsung.
How will Samsung use Liquavista's electrowetting display technology?
The process is very simple to adapt to LCD manufacturing, and Samsung has many different lines for LCD. Small volumes could be done quite quickly.
Samsung will help drive these displays where they are ready for market, and where the products best fit the technology.
What does this mean for your progress to market?
Samsung's stands at events like the Consumer Electronics Show and the Society for Information Display conferences often have the latest technologies, like transparent displays, and it's clear it has what it takes to commercialise new technology.
Liquavista has been very good in terms of developing new technology, and Samsung is very good at bringing new technologies to market and increasing volumes, so it's a good fit.
The next issue of +Plastic Electronics looks at the e-reader and display developments from CES 2011, and includes more on Samsung's acquisition of Liquavista.
To subscribe in time for the next issue visit our subscriptions page.
Documents and links
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Subscribe to +Plastic Electronics magazine
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Liquavista
Website detailing the company's technology, target markets and press releases
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Electrowetting display firm acquired by Samsung
Netherlands-based Liquavista has been bought by Samsung, the company announced today
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E-reader market spawns products for every budget
Demand for e-readers is expected to peak in the run up to the Christmas season as companies slash prices, Google Android enables e-book applications and enhanced models launch
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The Electronic Displacement of Print
A Pira market report with forecasts to 2018 of e-paper, e-readers and other innovations and technologies displacing and impacting print
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