# Photonics Market Map United Kingdom 2026: 34 Startups in 4 Segments > 34 photonics startups in the United Kingdom, mapped in 4 segments: lasers, lidar and sensing and optical computing and interconnects and more. Source: https://millionrounds.com/market-maps/photonics-united-kingdom-market-map (Millionrounds; every figure on the page links to its filing or article) ## Lasers 20 - [Intense](https://millionrounds.com/company/intense) - [KAIO](https://millionrounds.com/company/kaio) - [Archangel Lightworks](https://millionrounds.com/company/archangel-lightworks) - [Powerlase Photonics](https://millionrounds.com/company/powerlase-photonics) - [Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics](https://millionrounds.com/company/fraunhofer-centre-for-applied-photonics) - [DataLase](https://millionrounds.com/company/datalase) - [Skylark Lasers](https://millionrounds.com/company/skylark-lasers) - [Shot Scope](https://millionrounds.com/company/shot-scope) - [Opsydia](https://millionrounds.com/company/opsydia) - [IOTech](https://millionrounds.com/company/iotech) - [M Squared Lasers](https://millionrounds.com/company/m-squared-lasers) - [Sentinel Photonics](https://millionrounds.com/company/sentinel-photonics) - [PowerPhotonic](https://millionrounds.com/company/powerphotonic) - [SPI Lasers](https://millionrounds.com/company/spi-lasers) - [Vector Photonics](https://millionrounds.com/company/vector-photonics) - [CanSense](https://millionrounds.com/company/cansense) - [HairRemoval.co.uk](https://millionrounds.com/company/hairremoval-co-uk) - [Laser Wire Solutions](https://millionrounds.com/company/laser-wire-solutions) - [Tyneside Lasers](https://millionrounds.com/company/tyneside-lasers) - [RightClinic](https://millionrounds.com/company/rightclinic) ## Lidar and sensing 8 - [Living Optics](https://millionrounds.com/company/living-optics) - [QLM Technology](https://millionrounds.com/company/qlm-technology) - [Sportlight Technology](https://millionrounds.com/company/sportlight-technology) - [SMi Systems](https://millionrounds.com/company/smi-systems) - [Siloton](https://millionrounds.com/company/siloton) - [Singular Photonics](https://millionrounds.com/company/singular-photonics) - [Northern Light Microscopy](https://millionrounds.com/company/northern-light-microscopy) - [NCTech](https://millionrounds.com/company/nctech) ## Optical computing and interconnects 3 - [Optalysys](https://millionrounds.com/company/optalysys) - [GLITTERINTECH LTD](https://millionrounds.com/company/glitterintech-ltd) - [Zero Point Motion](https://millionrounds.com/company/zero-point-motion) ## Quantum photonics 3 - [ORCA Computing](https://millionrounds.com/company/orca-computing) - [Wave Photonics](https://millionrounds.com/company/wave-photonics) - [Aegiq](https://millionrounds.com/company/aegiq) ## Segment by segment ### Lasers 20 startups · $150M raised - [**Intense**](https://millionrounds.com/company/intense) Intense develops and commercializes single and multi-mode monolithic laser array products, and high power laser diodes. United Kingdom $21M - [**KAIO**](https://millionrounds.com/company/kaio) KAIO, formerly known as Libre Capital, is an institutional-grade protocol designed for the compliant issuance and lifecycle manage United Kingdom $19M - [**Archangel Lightworks**](https://millionrounds.com/company/archangel-lightworks) Archangel Lightworks is a private aerospace and communications company based in Oxford, UK, founded in 2017. United Kingdom $17M - [**Powerlase Photonics**](https://millionrounds.com/company/powerlase-photonics) Powerlase Photonics Ltd is an innovative, independent, high power laser company. United Kingdom $13M - [**Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics**](https://millionrounds.com/company/fraunhofer-centre-for-applied-photonics) Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics is a center in the field of applied laser research and development. United Kingdom $11M - [**DataLase**](https://millionrounds.com/company/datalase) DataLase Ltd is the leading provider of materials for laser coding and marking of products and packaging. United Kingdom $10M - [**Skylark Lasers**](https://millionrounds.com/company/skylark-lasers) Skylark Lasers is a photonics and laser development company based in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, founded in 2013. United Kingdom $9.6M - [**Shot Scope**](https://millionrounds.com/company/shot-scope) Shot Scope is a golf technology company based in Edinburgh, Scotland, founded in 2014. United Kingdom $9.0M ### Lidar and sensing 8 startups · $110M raised - [**Living Optics**](https://millionrounds.com/company/living-optics) Living Optics is a private deep-tech company founded in 2020, specializing in the development and manufacturing of affordable, por United Kingdom $61M - [**QLM Technology**](https://millionrounds.com/company/qlm-technology) QLM Technology is a UK-based photonics technology company founded in 2017, specializing in advanced quantum gas lidar systems for United Kingdom $19M - [**Sportlight Technology**](https://millionrounds.com/company/sportlight-technology) Sportlight Technology is a UK-based sports technology startup founded in 2015, specializing in elite athlete tracking and performa United Kingdom $14M - [**SMi Systems**](https://millionrounds.com/company/smi-systems) SMi Systems is a life science technology company that specializes in molecular science. United Kingdom $7.6M - [**Siloton**](https://millionrounds.com/company/siloton) Siloton specialises in miniaturised optical technology for medical imaging, using quantum photonic chips and OCT to detect and mon United Kingdom $2.7M - [**Singular Photonics**](https://millionrounds.com/company/singular-photonics) Singular Photonics is a fabless semiconductor company based in Edinburgh, United Kingdom. United Kingdom $2.2M - [**Northern Light Microscopy**](https://millionrounds.com/company/northern-light-microscopy) Northern Light Microscopy is a precision photonics and microscopy company based in Glasgow, established in 2024 as a spinout from United Kingdom $1.6M - [**NCTech**](https://millionrounds.com/company/nctech) NCTech is a UK-based technology company that specializes in high-resolution 360° street-level imagery, LiDAR data collection, and United Kingdom $1.3M ### Optical computing and interconnects 3 startups · $96M raised - [**Optalysys**](https://millionrounds.com/company/optalysys) Optalysys Ltd is a high-tech company based in Leeds, United Kingdom, specializing in optical computing and silicon photonics. United Kingdom $69M - [**GLITTERINTECH LTD**](https://millionrounds.com/company/glitterintech-ltd) Glitterin Tech develops fabless silicon photonic integrated circuits and optoelectronic systems for spectroscopy and optical computing. United Kingdom $15M - [**Zero Point Motion**](https://millionrounds.com/company/zero-point-motion) Zero Point Motion is a deep-tech startup based in Bristol, UK, founded in 2020. United Kingdom $13M ### Quantum photonics 3 startups · $93M raised - [**ORCA Computing**](https://millionrounds.com/company/orca-computing) ORCA Computing is building the first scalable and flexible quantum computer powered by photonics. United Kingdom $85M - [**Wave Photonics**](https://millionrounds.com/company/wave-photonics) Wave Photonics is a deep-tech startup based in Cambridge, United Kingdom, founded in 2021. United Kingdom $5.7M - [**Aegiq**](https://millionrounds.com/company/aegiq) Aegiq is a UK-based full-stack photonic quantum computing company founded in December 2019 and headquartered in Sheffield, England. United Kingdom $2.3M **How this map is made.** Every startup here has raised money in rounds we track, and is based in United Kingdom. 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. ## More market maps [All maps](https://millionrounds.com/market-maps) [Market map **Photonics market map** 280 startups · 6 segments · $11B](https://millionrounds.com/market-maps/photonics-market-map)[Market map · United States **Photonics market map: United States** 116 startups · 5 segments · $7.8B](https://millionrounds.com/market-maps/photonics-united-states-market-map)[Investors map **Who invests in photonics** 107 investors · 7 segments](https://millionrounds.com/market-maps/photonics-investors-map)[Market map · Europe **Photonics market map: Europe** 96 startups · 5 segments · $1.9B](https://millionrounds.com/market-maps/photonics-europe-market-map)[Raised in 2026 **Photonics startups that raised in 2026** 57 startups · 5 segments · $2.7B](https://millionrounds.com/market-maps/photonics-raised-2026-market-map)[New wave **New photonics startups, founded 2020 on** 48 startups · 5 segments · $2.4B](https://millionrounds.com/market-maps/new-photonics-startups-market-map) ## Who backs photonics? Open any company for its rounds and investors, or search the investors behind these startups in the app, with filters, lists and exports. [Find their investors](https://millionrounds.com/login?join=1&next=/app/investors)[Top lists](https://millionrounds.com/top-lists)