Cellzome CEO, Charles Cohen
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MEMSCAP
Public company based in Ismier, France and San Jose, California
• CEO: Jean-Michel Karam
• What it does: Provides the wireless and optical-communications industries with microelectromechanical systems, or mems, which are used to integrate miniature devices, such as gears, motors, mirrors and levers, with controlling electronics.
• Why it's hot: It is the first European public company specializing exclusively in mems technology, which can help improve product performance by miniaturizing functions and equipment.
memscap.com
Smart Fuel Cell
Private company based in Brunnthal-Nord, Germany
• CEO: Manfred Stefener
• What it does: Makes a micro fuel cell that runs on methanol, providing much longer life than any other portable battery.
• Why it's hot: It aims to replace the batteries used in today's laptops and camcorders.
smartfuelcell.com
Firms marked with an asterisk (*) appeared on TIME's 2001 list of the hottest tech companies in Europe.
By TIME's Jennifer L. Schenker, with input from independent analyst Ron Belt, as well as venture capitalists and research firms: Accel Partners, Apax, Ariadne Capital, Atlas, Brainheart Capital, Deloitte Touche, edVentures, Gartner Group, IDC, Index Ventures, Insight Capital Partners, Intel Capital, Lightreading, Merlin BioSciences, Northzone, Philips Venture Capital, Sofinnova Partners, Wellington Partners and 3i.