Dutch startup lands €4.75M for unique appoach to photonic chip-making

in Eindhoven launch Photon IP raised €4.75 million in seed funding to expand its unique method for creating energy-efficient photonic chips.

AI systems, data centers, fiber optic networks, and even some sensors rely on photonic chips to send and receive information using light. These chips are significant because they are faster and use less power than conventional semiconductors, which transmit data through electricity.

But to create these high-performance, light-speed chips, you need special compounds called III-V materials, such as indium phosphide.

“However, these materials are relatively rare and expensive, so the industry is looking for ways to use silicon, taking advantage of the full scale and capabilities of the electronics world,” John Anderton, director of management at Photon, told TNW about this..

However, combining III-V materials with silicon on a single chip is, simply put, damn difficult. This is where Photon found an attractive market opportunity.

Founded in 2022, the startup has developed a way to integrate III-V materials and silicon into a single chip that can handle light better, consume less power and be mass produced for things like faster internet, smarter AI systems and high-performance technologies. precision sensors.

“There are many companies making photonic chips, but the challenge is to find the best way to combine and integrate these materials into one chip,” Anderton said. “We are bringing to market a unique, revolutionary technology that allows us to deliver minimal power consumption and maximum performance while maintaining scalability.”

Photon is fabless-free, meaning it outsources chip production to established manufacturers who produce the chips to the startup’s specifications. The commercial value lies in Photon’s secret sauce.

Amsterdam-based deep technology company VC Innovation Industries led Photon’s seed round. with the participation of Faber and the Brabant Development Agency. Venture division PhotonDeltathe photonics organization based in Eindhoven was the fourth and final investor.

Photon IP has already provided €2 million in grant from the European Innovation Council. Today’s seed round marks the second private equity round after The €1.1 million investment in 2022 will be led by Polish early-stage photonics investment company Vigo Ventures..

Photon told TNW it will use the new funding to expand its team as it plans to announce its first photonic chip products later this year.