Market map · Europe

Photonics market map: Europe

96 photonics startups based in Europe that have raised money in rounds we track, placed in 5 segments by what each says it does. Together they have raised $1.9B; the biggest segment is lasers.

96startups on the map
5segments
$1.9Braised between them
Lasersmost funded segment

Lasers

57

+33 more

Lidar and sensing

18

Quantum photonics

9

Optical computing and interconnects

8

Optical components

4

Segment by segment

Lasers

57 startups · $827M raised

  1. Focused EnergyFocused Energy is a German-American deep-tech startup founded in 2021, specializing in laser-driven inertial confinement fusion (ICF).Germany$280M
  2. BBCCbcc is a cosmetology center that provides plastic surgery, laser hair removal, anti-aging, wrinkle firming, whitening and rejuvenaSpain$170M
  3. CAILABSCailabs is a global deep-tech company based in Rennes, France, specializing in advanced photonics solutions.France$52M
  4. NorlaseNorlase develops next-generation laser solutions for the treatment of retinal and glaucoma disease.Denmark$21M
  5. IntenseIntense develops and commercializes single and multi-mode monolithic laser array products, and high power laser diodes.United Kingdom$21M
  6. OQmentedOQmented is a German deep-tech company founded in 2018, specializing in ultra-compact, fully integrated MEMS-based laser beam scanGermany$20M
  7. KAIOKAIO, formerly known as Libre Capital, is an institutional-grade protocol designed for the compliant issuance and lifecycle manageUnited Kingdom$19M
  8. Archangel LightworksArchangel Lightworks is a private aerospace and communications company based in Oxford, UK, founded in 2017.United Kingdom$17M

Lidar and sensing

18 startups · $202M raised

  1. Living OpticsLiving Optics is a private deep-tech company founded in 2020, specializing in the development and manufacturing of affordable, porUnited Kingdom$61M
  2. OutsightOutsight is a technology company based in Paris, founded in 2019, that specializes in Infrastructure-based Physical AI.France$42M
  3. QLM TechnologyQLM Technology is a UK-based photonics technology company founded in 2017, specializing in advanced quantum gas lidar systems for United Kingdom$19M
  4. BlickfeldBlickfeld is a technology company based in Munich, Germany, founded in 2017.Germany$18M
  5. Sportlight TechnologySportlight Technology is a UK-based sports technology startup founded in 2015, specializing in elite athlete tracking and performaUnited Kingdom$14M
  6. XavveoXavveo is a developer of photonic radar sensor technology that aims to transform manufacturing automation and driverless cars.Germany$8.6M
  7. SMi SystemsSMi Systems is a life science technology company that specializes in molecular science.United Kingdom$7.6M
  8. AryballeAryballe, founded in 2014 and based in Grenoble, France, is a digital olfaction company that develops bio-inspired odor sensors.France$6.9M

Quantum photonics

9 startups · $295M raised

  1. ORCA ComputingORCA Computing is building the first scalable and flexible quantum computer powered by photonics.United Kingdom$85M
  2. Q.ANTQ.ANT is a German scale-up founded in 2018 and based in Stuttgart.Germany$72M
  3. EleQtroneleQtron GmbH, founded in 2020, is a pioneering German start-up focused on developing and operating trapped-ion quantum computers.Germany$67M
  4. planqcplanqc is a Munich-based quantum computing startup founded in 2022, emerging as the first spin-off from the Max Planck Institute oGermany$33M
  5. Sparrow QuantumSparrow Quantum develope and commercializes photonic quantum technology components.Denmark$24M
  6. Pixel PhotonicsPixel Photonics manufactures scalable single-photon detectors for applications like secure quantum communication.Germany$5.7M
  7. Wave PhotonicsWave Photonics is a deep-tech startup based in Cambridge, United Kingdom, founded in 2021.United Kingdom$5.7M
  8. AegiqAegiq is a UK-based full-stack photonic quantum computing company founded in December 2019 and headquartered in Sheffield, England.United Kingdom$2.3M

Optical computing and interconnects

8 startups · $550M raised

  1. Black SemiconductorBlack Semiconductor is a German startup based in Aachen, specializing in semiconductor technology.Germany$247M
  2. iPronicsiPRONICS is a Spanish deep-tech semiconductor company founded in 2019 as a spinoff from Universitat Politècnica de València.Spain$137M
  3. OptalysysOptalysys Ltd is a high-tech company based in Leeds, United Kingdom, specializing in optical computing and silicon photonics.United Kingdom$69M
  4. Scintil PhotonicsSCINTIL Photonics is a fabless semiconductor company based in Grenoble, France, founded in 2018 by Sylvie Menezo.France$62M
  5. GLITTERINTECH LTDGlitterin Tech develops fabless silicon photonic integrated circuits and optoelectronic systems for spectroscopy and optical computing.United Kingdom$15M
  6. Zero Point MotionZero Point Motion is a deep-tech startup based in Bristol, UK, founded in 2020.United Kingdom$13M
  7. AylightAylight is a photonics company based in Zürich, Switzerland, specializing in chip-scale multiwavelength lasers.Switzerland$5.1M
  8. CaliopaCaliopa develops and commercializes silicon photonics-based optical transceivers for the data and telecommunications market.Belgium$2.7M

Optical components

4 startups · $61M raised

  1. EFFECT PhotonicsEFFECT Photonics is an independent photonic semiconductor company based in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, founded in 2010.Netherlands$24M
  2. mBryonicsmBryonics is a company that specializes in photonics, optical design, lens systems, electrical, mechanical and software engineering.Ireland$19M
  3. Cube OpticsCube Optics is a leading provider for passive and active fiber-optical components, modules, systems and turn-key fiber-optical traGermany$9.8M
  4. CCRAFTCCRAFT is a Swiss-based photonic chip foundry that specializes in industrial-scale thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) photonic integSwitzerland$7.8M

How this map is made. Every startup here has raised money in rounds we track, and is based in Europe. It joins the map when its sectors, read from its rounds, or the opening of its own description say it works in photonics, and goes to the first segment whose words it carries. Each segment shows its best-funded first. Rebuilt nightly; updated 15 November 2026.

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