We recently refined our strategy to reflect our current thinking about how best to achieve our vision and mission for the Company:

• Support Super Photonics Xiamen (SPX), a joint venture between POET and Sanan IC, as an independent company to drive growth in optical transceivers and deliver maximum cash flow to partners. POET’s designs for Optical Engines are assembled by SPX into samples that customers can test and are designed-in to modules supplied to end-users, such as network equipment companies and data center operators. POET’s shortest path to commercial success and its ability to generate profits over the longer term are directly influenced by the level of support that it can provide to the joint venture. Delivery of samples and subsequent sales of Optical Engines to customers in China, where virtually all optical transceiver module manufacturers are located, demonstrate the technological viability and market acceptance of POET’s designs. Sales and production by SPX further demonstrate an ability to rapidly scale volumes to meet customer demand. As SPX builds a revenue base it becomes an asset for generating cash in the form of dividends. Prior to a future planned exit on the Shanghai Exchange, opportunities to sell a portion of POET’s equity interest in SPX is also a possibility.

• Engage with industry leaders and incumbents. We will continue to promote the potential of the Optical Interposer and POET-designed Optical Engines to solve critical challenges with current approaches to data transfer in data center and telecom applications, both in pluggable transceivers and co-packaged optics. We believe that the size, performance and design flexibility of POET’s chiplet approach to integration is an enabling technology that will allow POET to enter markets where relatively few competitors will have the requisite technology to succeed. 

• Transition to making Optical Transceiver Modules for direct sales to end-users. In addition to adding features to the Optical Interposer, we have added essential electronic components, such as Trans Impedance Amplifiers (TIAs) and laser drivers to the interposer platform, which improves performance and lowers the cost of module assembly. We intend to add the necessary capabilities for design and development optical transceiver modules to our existent capabilities in Optical Interposer and Optical Engine design. Being most familiar with the unique capabilities of our technology, we believe that we are in a position to rapidly extend our expertise to complete optical modules. Doing so has the advantage of avoiding a lengthy sales and qualification cycle (i.e., selling to module makers who then sell to end users) and being able to sell directly to end users, showcasing our own branded products to network equipment suppliers and data center operators. 

• Establish additional fabrication and sales operations for advanced, high-speed transceiver modules and packaged light sources. Internally, we refer to this our “China plus One” strategy, which is only partially dictated by the current international political climate. We are planning to develop our advanced products as modules and packaged products that we will sell directly to end-users, which will require additional fabrication, assembly, marketing and sales operations. In addition, we expect that as we approach other vertical market applications outside of optical transceivers and packaged light sources, our strategy may include the formation additional partnerships in those market segments in order to develop appropriate strategies for the fabrication of devices whose functions will be materially different from those of transceivers and with correspondingly different distribution and sales. The form of such partnerships may also be different than what was established for transceivers. 

• Pursue complementary strategic alliance or acquisition opportunities for inorganic growth. We intend to evaluate and selectively pursue strategic alliances or acquisition opportunities for growth and vertical integration that we believe will accelerate our penetration of specific applications or vertical markets with our technology or products. • Explore technology licensing opportunities for growth in non-target sectors. It is not possible for the Company to pursue all potential applications for the POET Optical Interposer. We will carefully consider opportunities to license our technology to others when and if appropriate.