Nanoco Founder Dr Nigel Pickett to Retire Amid Company Sale Exploration
Deal News | Aug 19, 2025 | Business Cloud
Dr. Nigel Pickett, founder and CTO of Manchester-based Nanoco, is retiring from his position at the company and its board but will remain an employee until February 2026. The company, known for its cadmium-free quantum dots, recently settled a $150 million legal case with Samsung over intellectual property infringement and is pursuing further litigation against LG Technologies. Nanoco also announced job cuts last year as part of an effort to manage finances while exploring strategic options, including a potential sale with the help of financial advisor CDX Advisors. The company exceeded financial expectations in the year ending July 2025, with revenues of 7.6 million and cash reserves of 14 million. Nanoco is pursuing growth through Joint Development Agreements (JDAs) and is in discussions with companies across multiple industries for future product developments and strategic options to maximize shareholder value.
Sectors
- Nanotechnology
- Manufacturing
- Legal
Geography
- United Kingdom – Nanoco is based in Manchester, UK, and the article revolves around the company's activities and future strategies.
- United States – Legal actions involving U.S.-based companies such as Samsung and LG affiliates indicate activity involving the U.S.
Industry
- Nanotechnology – Nanoco Group plc operates in the field of nanotechnology, specializing in cadmium-free quantum dots used in consumer electronics.
- Manufacturing – The company develops and manufactures nanomaterials for use in electronic displays and infra-red sensors.
- Legal – The article discusses ongoing litigation with LG Technologies and a past settlement with Samsung over patent infringements.
Financials
- 150m – Legal settlement amount received from Samsung post-litigation.
- 7.6m – Revenue reported for the year ending July 2025, exceeding market forecasts.
- 14m – Cash reserve at fiscal year-end, surpassing market expectations due to lower litigation costs.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nanoco Group plc | Target Company | Company | A Manchester-based firm specializing in the development and manufacture of cadmium-free quantum dots. |
| Dr. Nigel Pickett | Founder and Retiring CTO | Person | Founder of Nanoco and current Chief Technology Officer, planning to retire while remaining an employee until 2026. |
| Dr. Ombretta Masala | Incoming Director of Technology | Person | Appointed as Director of Technology at Nanoco, with 18 years of experience in the company. |
| Jalal Bagherli | Chairman | Person | Chairman of Nanoco, overseeing company strategies and acknowledging Dr. Pickett's contributions. |
| CDX Advisors | Financial Advisor | Company | Advising Nanoco on strategic options, including the potential sale of the business. |
| Samsung | Former Legal Opponent | Company | Involved in a past legal case with Nanoco over patent infringements, settled for $150 million. |
| LG Technologies | Current Legal Opponent | Company | Facing litigation by Nanoco for alleged patent infringement related to televisions. |
| Dmitry Shashkov | CEO | Person | CEO of Nanoco, leading current strategic evaluations and growth initiatives. |
| Jai Subramanian | Global Business Director | Person | Recent appointee to drive Nanoco's commercial engagement and transition to scaled production. |