If anything extraordinary arises, we have all PDFs, presentations, and news updates from the website. The annual reports are also available in the Norwegian Business Register and can be downloaded for free by anyone.
If something illegal has occurred, I am confident it will come to light—whether through former employees, partners, accountants, financial advisors, customers, or, most commonly, through friends and family. It usually does.
We know that company representatives are reading this thread.
The semiconductor industry is highly competitive, with a high degree of discretion, and balancing communication can be difficult. However, the company has been clumsy in its communication with its approximately 900 shareholders as of today.
I understand there are rumors that a process failed, and in most industries, the norm is not to disclose such failures due to market sentiment. However, the company could still manage to communicate the reasons behind their corporate actions more openly. There is one visible truth of their actions, but the communication angle often creates frustration. This lack of transparency is provoking many shareholders.
I recall a presentation in 2022 when the previous CEO, Jo Uthus, was asked about the release of CrayoLED, specifically regarding when the revolutionary nanowires and graphene products would be available. He responded, “Oh, you mean new products? Sometime in summer 2023,” in a dismissive tone, as if surprised people were interested in the new products.
Fast forward, the narrative shifted. When repeatedly asked about this, the response became: “We will sell CrayoLED as long as there is market demand.”
The paradox here is that this statement is both true and common in the semiconductor industry, particularly with controlled market-entry products. Many companies hold back new technology until they feel the market is “ready.”
These are valid business strategies, but they make the situation frustrating. What stood out, however, was CEO Jo Uthus’s downplaying of the core technology—seemingly unwilling to discuss it. Several competitors publish lab results of new improvements even before fully scaling volume production, but many keep their findings secret to prevent competitors from redirecting their R&D efforts. Sharing too much could erode a company’s advantage if a competitor with greater resources shifts focus. Crayonano might be using a similar strategy, despite the information shared with PR/media, the videos on their website, and the patents available online. Patents often reveal just enough to get approval but omit the “secret sauce” needed to replicate the technology. This is common in tech industries, which adds to shareholder frustration.
In my opinion, if the technology performs as stated, it would likely attract acquisition interest from leading competitors. There has even been talk of a “hypermaterials platform” to apply the same principles to other products beyond UV-C LEDs.
That said, perhaps they are attempting to grow the company organically toward commercial success. This is quite rare for deep-tech semiconductor startups, though. I see aspirations of becoming the next Nordic Semiconductor, but the norm is for companies with valuable technology to be acquired long before commercialization.
Fact: If the technology works, someone will buy it—the intellectual property, patents, know-how, and trade secrets.
If no buyers show for the tech: That would be something to write about.
Thought: Why are not international investors onboard with this fantastic tech (EIC doesnt count really, must be considered governmental grant):
a) Hard to obtain niche investors in semiconductor industry?
b) Would like to approach Norwegian shareholders with less competency in the field?
c) Have not approached competitors, because would like to try owning it all?