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Former CEO of JDS Uniphase Kevin Kalkhoven was among the investors backing optical networking start-up Innovance Networks in its latest round of financing, which came to more than $75 million.

Founded in May 2000, Innovance has now raised a total of $95 million. Innovance Networks is a photonic networking solutions provider for global backbone and regional networking service providers, with locations in both the U.S. and Canada.

The latest round of financing was led by Morgenthaler Ventures and Thomas Weisel Partners. Other key investors in this latest round included Azure Capital (lead investors in the seed round), Advanced Technology Ventures, Banc of America, and KPL Ventures.

Kalkhoven, who invested in Innovance Networks through KPL Ventures, said: "Innovance Networks is one of a few new players capable of tackling backbone optical networking, and for good reason ... it's a challenge. They know their customer base, the technology, and are connected in the industry. They've done it before, and they've got a vision and strategy in place to do it again."

To date, Innovance Networks has over 100 employees located in Ottawa, Ontario and Piscataway, N.J.

Edited by Evan Bass
Managing Editor, Fiber Optics Online