About Us

Laser Focus World is an industry bedrock—first published in 1965 and still going strong. We publish original articles about cutting-edge advances in lasers, optics, photonics, sensors, and quantum technologies, as well as test and measurement, and the shift currently underway to usher in the photonic integrated circuits, optical interconnects, and copackaged electronics and photonics to deliver the speed and efficiency essential for data centers of the future.

Our 80,000 qualified print subscribers—and 130,000 12-month engaged online audience—trust us to dive in and provide original journalism you won’t find elsewhere covering key emerging areas such as laser-driven inertial confinement fusion, lasers in space, integrated photonics, chipscale lasers, LiDAR, metasurfaces, high-energy laser weaponry, photonic crystals, and quantum computing/sensors/communications. We cover the innovations driving these markets.

Laser Focus World is part of Endeavor Business Media, a division of EndeavorB2B.

Laser Focus World Membership

Never miss any articles, videos, podcasts, or webinars by signing up for membership access to Laser Focus World online. You can manage your preferences all in one place—and provide our editorial team with your valued feedback.

Magazine Subscription

Can you subscribe to receive our print issue for free? Yes, you sure can!

Newsletter Subscription

A Laser Focus World newsletter subscription is free to qualified professionals:

The Daily Beam

Showcases the newest content from Laser Focus World, including photonics- and optics-based applications, components, research, and trends. (Daily)

Product Watch

The latest in products within the photonics industry. (9x per year)

Bio & Life Sciences Product Watch

The latest in products within the biophotonics industry. (4x per year)

Laser Processing Product Watch

The latest in products within the laser processing industry. (3x per year)

Get Published!

If you’d like to write an article for us, reach out with a short pitch to Sally Cole Johnson: [email protected]. We love to hear from you.

Photonics Hot List

Laser Focus World produces a video newscast that gives a peek into what’s happening in the world of photonics.

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast dives deep into the fascinating world of photonics. Our weekly episodes feature interviews and discussions with industry and research experts, providing valuable perspectives on the issues, technologies, and trends shaping the photonics community.

Social Media

Bluesky • Facebook • Instagram • LinkedIn • YouTube

Meet the Laser Focus World Team

Editorial

Sales

Editorial Advisory Board

  • Professor Andrea M. Armani, University of Southern California
  • Ruti Ben-Shlomi, Ph.D., LightSolver
  • James Butler, Ph.D., Hamamatsu
  • Natalie Fardian-Melamed, Ph.D., Columbia University
  • Justin Sigley, Ph.D., AmeriCOM
  • Professor Birgit Stiller, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, and Leibniz University of Hannover
  • Professor Stephen Sweeney, University of Glasgow
  • Mohan Wang, Ph.D., University of Oxford
  • Professor Xuchen Wang, Harbin Engineering University
  • Professor Stefan Witte, Delft University of Technology
My Watchlist
Indicators
Industrial Laser Index
Markets
Stocks
ETFs
Tools
Markets:
Overview
News
Currencies
International
Treasuries

UDR Co-Leads ESG Innovation-Focused “Housing Impact Fund” Launched by RET Ventures

By: via Business Wire

UDR, Inc. (the “Company”) (NYSE: UDR), a leading multifamily real estate investment trust that was recently named the GRESB Global Sector Leader as the #1 ESG performer across all listed Residential companies, announced today that the Company and Essex Property Trust, Inc. (“Essex”) are co-lead investors in the first closing of a new Environmental, Social, and Governance (“ESG”) focused investment fund, RET Ventures ESG Fund, L.P. (“the Fund”) to be managed by RET Ventures (“RET”), a venture capital firm focused on technologies for the multifamily, single-family, and broader real estate asset classes. UDR has committed $10 million to the Fund, which will seek to support the growth and successful implementation of ESG solutions for the housing industry, including technologies that improve both the environmental and social outcomes of existing properties and new developments.

An important goal of the Fund will be broadening the sector’s approach to ESG, utilizing a more holistic focus that addresses climate change and environmental risks as well as social issues, including housing affordability, building health and safety, and resident well-being. From an environmental standpoint, solutions may include platforms focused on improved building design, reducing energy usage and carbon emissions, efficient waste management, and ESG data collection and reporting.

“At UDR, we pride ourselves on our commitment to sustainability, and our decision to help RET Ventures launch this fund should enhance the financial, environmental, and social dividends we deliver to our stakeholders,” said Tom Toomey, UDR’s Chairman and CEO. “UDR has achieved a variety of ESG milestones recently, but we know more progress is needed, both as a Company and as an industry. With our investment in the Fund, we aim to leverage the knowledge we’ve accumulated through years of ESG-centric work to accelerate the achievement of sustainable goals across the real estate industry.”

“The housing sector has a significant impact on society in terms of both its critical role in the lives of residents and its resource footprint. With this Fund, we plan to invest in technologies that mitigate the environmental impact of real estate, while addressing other important social and stakeholder issues,” said Christopher Yip, Partner at RET Ventures. “With a groundswell of support across the sector, there is an opportunity for purpose-driven technology to improve nearly every aspect of the industry — investment, construction, operations and more — and we’re proud to be partnering with UDR and Essex to build toward a more sustainable future.”

About UDR, Inc.

UDR, Inc. (NYSE: UDR), an S&P 500 company, is a leading multifamily real estate investment trust with a demonstrated performance history of delivering superior and dependable returns by successfully managing, buying, selling, developing and redeveloping attractive real estate communities in targeted U.S. markets. As of December 31, 2021, UDR owned or had an ownership position in 57,483 apartment homes including 1,417 homes under development. For over 49 years, UDR has delivered long-term value to shareholders, the best standard of service to residents and the highest quality experience for associates.

About RET Ventures

A leading real estate technology investment firm, RET Ventures is a venture capital firm focused on driving innovation in partnership with its base of more than 40 Strategic Investors who own and manage over $600 billion of real estate assets, with particular focus in multifamily and single-family rental real estate. In these asset classes, the Strategic Investor group includes some of the largest REITs and private real estate owners, operators and developers, who together control approximately 2.4 million rental units. Through its deep expertise and network, RET has created a unique real estate innovation ecosystem that delivers significant value to the companies it backs, by providing them with access to thought leaders, development partners, and ongoing strategic guidance. For more information, please visit www.ret.vc.

With our investment in the Fund, we aim to leverage the knowledge we’ve accumulated through years of ESG-centric work to accelerate the achievement of sustainable goals across the real estate industry.

Contacts

More News

View More
What Amazon's Chart Says a Week Before Earnings
Via MarketBeat
Tickers AMZN
Smart Money's Big Bet on AST SpaceMobile
Via MarketBeat
Tickers AMT ASTS BCE BLK RKUNY T
Goldman Sachs Earnings Tell: Markets Seem Okay
Via MarketBeat
Topics Economy
Tickers AAPL GS MSFT NVDA SPY XLY
An AI Play Hiding in Plain Sight: A Look at Johnson Controls
Via MarketBeat
Topics Artificial Intelligence
Tickers DHR JCI
AppLovin Drops 14%: Should Investors Worry About SEC Probe?
Via MarketBeat
Topics Regulatory Compliance
Tickers AAPL APP META SPOT
Stock Quote API & Stock News API supplied by www.cloudquote.io
Quotes delayed at least 20 minutes.
By accessing this page, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms Of Service.
© 2025 FinancialContent. All rights reserved.