Eindhoven-based startup PHOTON IP, a manufacturer of advanced low-power optical chips, has raised €4.75 million in a seed funding round in order to drive photonic chip innovation.
Led by Innovation Industries through its Early Stars Fund, the round also saw participation from Faber, Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij (BOM), and PhotonDelta.
The fresh capital will enable PHOTON IP to accelerate the industrialisation and commercialisation of its technology, which efficiently integrates silicon photonics with active III-V materials.
“We’re not just advancing integrated photonics — we’re simplifying the manufacturing process for photonic circuits as well,” said PHOTON IP Co-founder and CEO Rui Santos. “With our advanced optical engines, we’re setting a new performance benchmark and eliminating the barriers to efficiently combine III-V materials with silicon. This funding expands our ability to grow our team to bring our first products to market.”
Founded in 2020, PHOTON IP is tackling a critical challenge in the optical communication and data-driven industries: the need for photonic chips that are smaller, more energy-efficient, and capable of high performance.
According to PHOTON IP, current integration methods often fall short of these demands, creating bottlenecks in deploying next-generation optical networks and systems. PHOTON IP’s solution simplifies the integration of silicon with III-V materials like indium phosphide, which are essential for lasers and high-speed modulators. This can enhance performance and pave the way for scalable, cost-effective production, positioning the company at the forefront of the integrated photonics sector.
The investment builds on an initial backing from Vigo Ventures in 2021 and bolsters PHOTON IP’s momentum as it works with customers worldwide.
The startup has already co-developed and tested its first products with key partners. Additionally, PHOTON IP was awarded €2 million in grant funding from the European Innovation Council.
Vincent Kamphorst, investment director at Innovation Industries, emphasised the potential of PHOTON IP’s technology, stating, “We are excited to announce our investment in PhotonIP. By effectively coupling diverse photonic platforms in a mass manufacturable process, the company aims to deliver high performing photonic solutions at volume. We look forward to supporting PHOTON IP as they develop.”
By reducing the energy footprint of optical communications and sensing technologies, the company is poised to make a significant impact in sectors like AI data centres and advanced sensing applications.
Read the orginal article: https://www.eu-startups.com/2025/01/photon-ip-lights-up-with-e4-75-to-reduce-energy-footprint-of-photonic-chips/
