EINDHOVEN, THE NETHERLANDS — PHOTON IP, an innovative developer of low-power optical chips, has raised €4.75 million in seed funding to accelerate the development of its energy-efficient photonic technology.
The funding round was led by Innovation Industries through its Early Stars Fund, with additional backing from Faber, Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij (BOM), and PhotonDelta. The investment will enable PHOTON IP to industrialize and commercialize its advanced optical engines, which integrate silicon photonics with active III-V materials.
Revolutionizing Photonics Manufacturing
PHOTON IP aims to address critical challenges in the optical communication and data-driven industries by simplifying the manufacturing process for photonic circuits. According to Co-founder and CEO Rui Santos, the company’s technology sets a new performance benchmark while eliminating barriers in combining III-V materials, such as indium phosphide, with silicon.
“We’re not just advancing integrated photonics — we’re simplifying the manufacturing process for photonic circuits as well,” said Santos. “This funding allows us to expand our team and bring our first products to market, making scalable, energy-efficient photonics a reality.”
Targeting a High-Demand Market
Founded in 2020, PHOTON IP is addressing the growing demand for smaller, more efficient, and high-performance photonic chips. Current integration methods struggle to meet the needs of next-generation optical networks, creating bottlenecks in deploying advanced systems.
PHOTON IP’s solution simplifies the integration of silicon with III-V materials, which are critical for high-speed modulators and lasers. This approach not only enhances performance but also enables scalable and cost-effective production, placing the company at the forefront of the integrated photonics sector.
Momentum and Global Reach
The investment builds on PHOTON IP’s early success, which included backing from Vigo Ventures in 2021 and a €2 million grant from the European Innovation Council. The startup has already co-developed and tested its first products with key partners, solidifying its position in the global market.
Investor Confidence
Vincent Kamphorst, investment director at Innovation Industries, expressed confidence in PHOTON IP’s potential.
“We are excited to announce our investment in PHOTON IP,” Kamphorst stated. “By effectively coupling diverse photonic platforms in a mass-manufacturable process, the company aims to deliver high-performing photonic solutions at scale. We look forward to supporting their development.”
Future Impact
PHOTON IP’s technology promises to reduce the energy footprint of optical communications and sensing technologies. This breakthrough could have a significant impact on sectors such as AI-powered data centers and advanced sensing applications, positioning the startup as a leader in the energy-efficient photonics revolution.
As the industry continues to prioritize sustainability and performance, PHOTON IP’s innovative approach could redefine the standards for photonic chip manufacturing worldwide.