Top list · Europe
Photonics tech startups in Europe
37 photonics tech startups in Europe have raised money in rounds we track. These are the 37 that have raised the most, $693M between them, with the United Kingdom the most common home.
- 1
iPronicsiPRONICS is a Spanish deep-tech semiconductor company founded in 2019 as a spinoff from Universitat Politècnica de València.iPRONICS is a Spanish deep-tech semiconductor company founded in 2019 as a spinoff from Universitat Politècnica de València.
Founded 2019Valencia, Spain$137Mlast round Sept 2026 - 2
ORCA ComputingORCA Computing is building the first scalable and flexible quantum computer powered by photonics.ORCA Computing is building the first scalable and flexible quantum computer powered by photonics.
Founded 2019London, United Kingdom$85Mlast round Aug 2026 - 3
SMART-PhotonicsSMART-Photonics is a pure-play foundry for Indium Phosphide photonics semiconductors.SMART-Photonics is a pure-play foundry for Indium Phosphide photonics semiconductors.
Founded 2012Eindhoven, Netherlands$74Mlast round Jul 2023 - 4
OptalysysOptalysys Ltd is a high-tech company based in Leeds, United Kingdom, specializing in optical computing and silicon photonics.Optalysys Ltd is a high-tech company based in Leeds, United Kingdom, specializing in optical computing and silicon photonics.
Founded 2013Pontefract, United Kingdom$69Mlast round Jun 2026 - 5
Scintil PhotonicsSCINTIL Photonics is a fabless semiconductor company based in Grenoble, France, founded in 2018 by Sylvie Menezo.SCINTIL Photonics is a fabless semiconductor company based in Grenoble, France, founded in 2018 by Sylvie Menezo.
Founded 2018Grenoble, France$62Mlast round Sept 2025 - 6
CAILABSCailabs is a global deep-tech company based in Rennes, France, specializing in advanced photonics solutions.Cailabs is a global deep-tech company based in Rennes, France, specializing in advanced photonics solutions.
Founded 2013Rennes, France$52Mlast round Sept 2025 - 7
EFFECT PhotonicsEFFECT Photonics is an independent photonic semiconductor company based in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, founded in 2010.EFFECT Photonics is an independent photonic semiconductor company based in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, founded in 2010.
Founded 2010Eindhoven, Netherlands$24Mlast round Jul 2025 - 8
QLM TechnologyQLM Technology is a UK-based photonics technology company founded in 2017, specializing in advanced quantum gas lidar systems for detecting and quantifying greeQLM Technology is a UK-based photonics technology company founded in 2017, specializing in advanced quantum gas lidar systems for detecting and quantifying gree
Founded 2017Paignton, United Kingdom$19Mlast round Sept 2025 - 9
mBryonicsmBryonics is a company that specializes in photonics, optical design, lens systems, electrical, mechanical and software engineering.mBryonics is a company that specializes in photonics, optical design, lens systems, electrical, mechanical and software engineering.
Founded 2014Upper Newcastle Road, Dangan, Ireland$19Mlast round Feb 2024 - 10
PhotonHub EuropePhotonHub Europe is an digital innovation hub for photonics.PhotonHub Europe is an digital innovation hub for photonics.
Founded 2021Brussels, Belgium$16Mlast round Apr 2025 - 11
Powerlase PhotonicsPowerlase Photonics Ltd is an innovative, independent, high power laser company.Powerlase Photonics Ltd is an innovative, independent, high power laser company.
Founded 2002Crawley, United Kingdom$13Mlast round Jan 2005 - 12
Zero Point MotionZero Point Motion is a deep-tech startup based in Bristol, UK, founded in 2020.Zero Point Motion is a deep-tech startup based in Bristol, UK, founded in 2020.
Founded 2020Bristol, United Kingdom$13Mlast round Mar 2025 - 13
vitrealabVitrealab is a deep-tech photonics company based in Vienna, founded in 2018.Vitrealab is a deep-tech photonics company based in Vienna, founded in 2018.
Founded 2018Vienna, Austria$11Mlast round Jan 2026 - 14
AxithraAxithra is a Belgian health technology company founded in 2023, emerging from the Photonics Research Group at Ghent University and imec.Axithra is a Belgian health technology company founded in 2023, emerging from the Photonics Research Group at Ghent University and imec.
Founded 2023Ghent, Belgium$11Mlast round Sept 2023 - 15
Fraunhofer Centre for Applied PhotonicsFraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics is a center in the field of applied laser research and development.Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics is a center in the field of applied laser research and development.
Founded -Glasgow, United Kingdom$11Mlast round Dec 2025 - 16
Skylark LasersSkylark Lasers is a photonics and laser development company based in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, founded in 2013.Skylark Lasers is a photonics and laser development company based in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, founded in 2013.
Founded 2013Newbridge, United Kingdom$9.6Mlast round Jul 2026 - 17Multiwave PhotonicsMultiwave, manufacturer of pulsed fiber lasers for materials processing and environmental monitoring applications.
Multiwave, manufacturer of pulsed fiber lasers for materials processing and environmental monitoring applications.
Founded 2003Maia, Portugal$7.7Mlast round May 2008 - 18
Swave PhotonicsSwave Photonics is a fabless semiconductor company based in Leuven, Belgium, founded in 2022.Swave Photonics is a fabless semiconductor company based in Leuven, Belgium, founded in 2022.
Founded 2022Leuven, Belgium$7.0Mlast round Jan 2025 - 19
AkhetonicsAkhetonics is a German deep-tech startup founded in 2021 and based in Berlin.Akhetonics is a German deep-tech startup founded in 2021 and based in Berlin.
Founded 2021Berlin, Germany$6.3Mlast round Nov 2024 - 20
Sentinel PhotonicsSentinel Photonics is a UK-based defence technology company that specializes in advanced laser detection and protection systems.Sentinel Photonics is a UK-based defence technology company that specializes in advanced laser detection and protection systems.
Founded 2020Salisbury, United Kingdom$5.8Mlast round Apr 2026 - 21
Delta DiagnosticsDelta Diagnostics is a biotech company that creates highly sensitive and selective biosensors using integrated photonics.Delta Diagnostics is a biotech company that creates highly sensitive and selective biosensors using integrated photonics.
Founded 2018Rotterdam, Netherlands$5.8Mlast round May 2023 - 22
Pixel PhotonicsPixel Photonics manufactures scalable single-photon detectors for applications like secure quantum communication.Pixel Photonics manufactures scalable single-photon detectors for applications like secure quantum communication.
Founded 2020Münster, Germany$5.7Mlast round Feb 2026 - 23
Wave PhotonicsWave Photonics is a deep-tech startup based in Cambridge, United Kingdom, founded in 2021.Wave Photonics is a deep-tech startup based in Cambridge, United Kingdom, founded in 2021.
Founded 2021Cambridge, United Kingdom$5.7Mlast round Jun 2024 - 24
AylightAylight is a photonics company based in Zürich, Switzerland, specializing in chip-scale multiwavelength lasers.Aylight is a photonics company based in Zürich, Switzerland, specializing in chip-scale multiwavelength lasers.
Founded 2025Zürich, Switzerland$5.1Mlast round Jul 2026 - 25
Pilot PhotonicsPilot Photonics develops comb source laser technology for the communications, space, and industrial markets.Pilot Photonics develops comb source laser technology for the communications, space, and industrial markets.
Founded 2011Glasnevin, Ireland$2.7Mlast round Mar 2024 - 26
CaliopaCaliopa develops and commercializes silicon photonics-based optical transceivers for the data and telecommunications market.Caliopa develops and commercializes silicon photonics-based optical transceivers for the data and telecommunications market.
Founded 2010Zwijnaarde, Belgium$2.7Mlast round Sept 2010 - 27
Singular PhotonicsSingular Photonics is a fabless semiconductor company based in Edinburgh, United Kingdom.Singular Photonics is a fabless semiconductor company based in Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
Founded 2024Edinburgh, United Kingdom$2.2Mlast round Aug 2026 - 28
Vector PhotonicsVector Photonics is a semiconductor laser company based in Glasgow, specializing in photonic crystal surface-emitting lasers (PCSELs).Vector Photonics is a semiconductor laser company based in Glasgow, specializing in photonic crystal surface-emitting lasers (PCSELs).
Founded 2012Glasgow, United Kingdom$2.1Mlast round Jun 2024 - 29
Northern Light MicroscopyNorthern Light Microscopy is a precision photonics and microscopy company based in Glasgow, established in 2024 as a spinout from the University of Strathclyde.Northern Light Microscopy is a precision photonics and microscopy company based in Glasgow, established in 2024 as a spinout from the University of Strathclyde.
Founded 2024Glasgow, United Kingdom$1.6Mlast round Aug 2026 - 30
ALCYON PHOTONICSAlcyon Photonics foundry validated library of Photonics Integrated Circuits and Cores (PIC and PIP cores (C)) enables customers to effectively develop unique applications.Alcyon Photonics foundry validated library of Photonics Integrated Circuits and Cores (PIC and PIP cores (C)) enables customers to effectively develop unique applications.
Founded 2018Madrid, Spain$1.6Mlast round Jan 2025 - 31
Kacentric OpticsKacentric Optics is developing next-generation photonics test and measurement equipment for industrial and scientific applications.Kacentric Optics is developing next-generation photonics test and measurement equipment for industrial and scientific applications.
Founded 2019Lannion, France$1.4Mlast round Apr 2026 - 32
Spark lasersSPARK LASERS is a French photonics company established in 2015 and located in Martillac, near Bordeaux.SPARK LASERS is a French photonics company established in 2015 and located in Martillac, near Bordeaux.
Founded 2015Martillac, France$1.2Mlast round Sept 2017 - 33
ViqthorVIQTHOR is a French high-technology company specializing in quantum computing infrastructure.VIQTHOR is a French high-technology company specializing in quantum computing infrastructure.
Founded 2022Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France$1.1Mlast round Apr 2024 - 34
Lizard PhotonicsLizard Photonics develops integrated circuits combining optics and nanotechnologyLizard Photonics develops integrated circuits combining optics and nanotechnology
Founded -Kongens Lyngby, Denmark$646Klast round Sept 2026 - 35
CCI PhotonicsCCI Photonics is a UK-based deep-tech medical device company and a spin-out from Lancaster University, established in 2023.CCI Photonics is a UK-based deep-tech medical device company and a spin-out from Lancaster University, established in 2023.
Founded 2023Bailrigg, United Kingdom$561Klast round Jan 2025 - 36
MEETOPTICSMEETOPTICS is an AI-powered technology platform focused on the Optics and Photonics sector.MEETOPTICS is an AI-powered technology platform focused on the Optics and Photonics sector.
Founded 2019Rochester, Spain$100Klast round Jul 2022 - 37
Gekko PhotonicsGekko Photonics is a Polish deep-tech company founded in 2019 in Wroclaw.Gekko Photonics is a Polish deep-tech company founded in 2019 in Wroclaw.
Founded 2019Wroclaw, Poland$100Klast round Jan 2024
Valencia, Spain
London, United Kingdom
Eindhoven, Netherlands
Grenoble, France
Upper Newcastle Road, Dangan, Ireland
Brussels, Belgium
Vienna, Austria
Maia, Portugal
Berlin, Germany
Zürich, Switzerland
Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
Wroclaw, PolandCompanies whose own description names this theme, ranked by the total they have raised in rounds we hold. Nobody pays to be on a list.
Who backed them?
Open any company for its rounds and investors, or search the investors who back photonics tech startups in Europe in the app, with filters, lists and exports.
More photonics tech lists
See all
P
LMore lists for Europe
See all
ILO
NHHealth startups in Europe3,025 companies · $29BILNH
CSBiotech startups in Europe1,665 companies · $22B
MAN
NGBig data startups in Europe964 companies · $31B
V
S
CGEnergy providers startups in Europe953 companies · $41BS
EP
SClimate tech startups in Europe756 companies · $25B
SK
FCFintech startups in Europe749 companies · $30B
A
CI
YCustomer service startups in Europe720 companies · $13BN
W
TTransport startups in Europe697 companies · $28B