*remember the news release from March 22nd, 2016

SAN JOSE, CA, (MARKETWIRED, March 22, 2016) – POET Technologies Inc. (the “Company” or “POET”) (OTCQX: POETF; TSX Venture: PTK), a developer of opto-electronics fabrication processes for the semiconductor industry, today announced a research and development initiative for future generations of smart pixels and other applications in association with the Institute of Micro Electronics Engineering (IMRE), a part of the Singapore-based Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR).

The 18-month project, jointly funded by POET and IMRE, is designed in part to adapt the POET platform to potential applications in smart pixel technology for the burgeoning Augmented Reality market.

Additional aspects of the initiative include enhancing POET’s GaAs process technology platform, as well as the research and development of novel Gallium Nitride (GaN) epitaxial growth technologies to potentially support integrated opto-electronic light engines for the smart lighting market.

With this initiative, POET expects to expand its IP portfolio and Roadmap, and enrich its III-V applications suite. POET will have joint ownership of any developed Intellectual Property (“IP”) with IMRE, with a right of first refusal related to exclusive rights to any developed IP.