# Top 37 Photonics Tech Startups in Europe by Funding (2026)

> The 37 best-funded photonics tech startups in Europe, ranked by total funding raised: $693M combined.

Source: https://millionrounds.com/top-lists/photonics-tech-startups-europe (Millionrounds; every figure on the page links to its filing or article)

- 1 [**iPronics** iPRONICS is a Spanish deep-tech semiconductor company founded in 2019 as a spinoff from Universitat Politècnica de València.](https://millionrounds.com/company/ipronics) iPRONICS is a Spanish deep-tech semiconductor company founded in 2019 as a spinoff from Universitat Politècnica de València. *Founded* 2019 Valencia, Spain **$137M** last round Sept 2026
- 2 [**ORCA Computing** ORCA Computing is building the first scalable and flexible quantum computer powered by photonics.](https://millionrounds.com/company/orca-computing) ORCA Computing is building the first scalable and flexible quantum computer powered by photonics. *Founded* 2019 London, United Kingdom **$85M** last round Aug 2026
- 3 [**SMART-Photonics** SMART-Photonics is a pure-play foundry for Indium Phosphide photonics semiconductors.](https://millionrounds.com/company/smart-photonics) SMART-Photonics is a pure-play foundry for Indium Phosphide photonics semiconductors. *Founded* 2012 Eindhoven, Netherlands **$74M** last round Jul 2023
- 4 [**Optalysys** Optalysys Ltd is a high-tech company based in Leeds, United Kingdom, specializing in optical computing and silicon photonics.](https://millionrounds.com/company/optalysys) Optalysys Ltd is a high-tech company based in Leeds, United Kingdom, specializing in optical computing and silicon photonics. *Founded* 2013 Pontefract, United Kingdom **$69M** last round Jun 2026
- 5 [**Scintil Photonics** SCINTIL Photonics is a fabless semiconductor company based in Grenoble, France, founded in 2018 by Sylvie Menezo.](https://millionrounds.com/company/scintil-photonics) SCINTIL Photonics is a fabless semiconductor company based in Grenoble, France, founded in 2018 by Sylvie Menezo. *Founded* 2018 Grenoble, France **$62M** last round Sept 2025
- 6 [**CAILABS** Cailabs is a global deep-tech company based in Rennes, France, specializing in advanced photonics solutions.](https://millionrounds.com/company/cailabs) Cailabs is a global deep-tech company based in Rennes, France, specializing in advanced photonics solutions. *Founded* 2013 Rennes, France **$52M** last round Sept 2025
- 7 [**EFFECT Photonics** EFFECT Photonics is an independent photonic semiconductor company based in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, founded in 2010.](https://millionrounds.com/company/effect-photonics) EFFECT Photonics is an independent photonic semiconductor company based in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, founded in 2010. *Founded* 2010 Eindhoven, Netherlands **$24M** last round Jul 2025
- 8 [**QLM Technology** QLM Technology is a UK-based photonics technology company founded in 2017, specializing in advanced quantum gas lidar systems for detecting and quantifying gree](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 detecting and quantifying gree *Founded* 2017 Paignton, United Kingdom **$19M** last round Sept 2025
- 9 [**mBryonics** mBryonics is a company that specializes in photonics, optical design, lens systems, electrical, mechanical and software engineering.](https://millionrounds.com/company/mbryonics) mBryonics is a company that specializes in photonics, optical design, lens systems, electrical, mechanical and software engineering. *Founded* 2014 Upper Newcastle Road, Dangan, Ireland **$19M** last round Feb 2024
- 10 [**PhotonHub Europe** PhotonHub Europe is an digital innovation hub for photonics.](https://millionrounds.com/company/photonhub-europe) PhotonHub Europe is an digital innovation hub for photonics. *Founded* 2021 Brussels, Belgium **$16M** last round Apr 2025
- 11 [**Powerlase Photonics** Powerlase Photonics Ltd is an innovative, independent, high power laser company.](https://millionrounds.com/company/powerlase-photonics) Powerlase Photonics Ltd is an innovative, independent, high power laser company. *Founded* 2002 Crawley, United Kingdom **$13M** last round Jan 2005
- 12 [**Zero Point Motion** Zero Point Motion is a deep-tech startup based in Bristol, UK, founded in 2020.](https://millionrounds.com/company/zero-point-motion) Zero Point Motion is a deep-tech startup based in Bristol, UK, founded in 2020. *Founded* 2020 Bristol, United Kingdom **$13M** last round Mar 2025
- 13 [**vitrealab** Vitrealab is a deep-tech photonics company based in Vienna, founded in 2018.](https://millionrounds.com/company/vitrealab) Vitrealab is a deep-tech photonics company based in Vienna, founded in 2018. *Founded* 2018 Vienna, Austria **$11M** last round Jan 2026
- 14 [**Axithra** Axithra is a Belgian health technology company founded in 2023, emerging from the Photonics Research Group at Ghent University and imec.](https://millionrounds.com/company/axithra) Axithra is a Belgian health technology company founded in 2023, emerging from the Photonics Research Group at Ghent University and imec. *Founded* 2023 Ghent, Belgium **$11M** last round Sept 2023
- 15 [**Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics** Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics is a center in the field of applied laser research and development.](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. *Founded* - Glasgow, United Kingdom **$11M** last round Dec 2025
- 16 [**Skylark Lasers** Skylark Lasers is a photonics and laser development company based in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, founded in 2013.](https://millionrounds.com/company/skylark-lasers) Skylark Lasers is a photonics and laser development company based in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, founded in 2013. *Founded* 2013 Newbridge, United Kingdom **$9.6M** last round Jul 2026
- 17 [**Multiwave Photonics** Multiwave, manufacturer of pulsed fiber lasers for materials processing and environmental monitoring applications.](https://millionrounds.com/company/multiwave-photonics) Multiwave, manufacturer of pulsed fiber lasers for materials processing and environmental monitoring applications. *Founded* 2003 Maia, Portugal **$7.7M** last round May 2008
- 18 [**Swave Photonics** Swave Photonics is a fabless semiconductor company based in Leuven, Belgium, founded in 2022.](https://millionrounds.com/company/swave-photonics) Swave Photonics is a fabless semiconductor company based in Leuven, Belgium, founded in 2022. *Founded* 2022 Leuven, Belgium **$7.0M** last round Jan 2025
- 19 [**Akhetonics** Akhetonics is a German deep-tech startup founded in 2021 and based in Berlin.](https://millionrounds.com/company/akhetonics) Akhetonics is a German deep-tech startup founded in 2021 and based in Berlin. *Founded* 2021 Berlin, Germany **$6.3M** last round Nov 2024
- 20 [**Sentinel Photonics** Sentinel Photonics is a UK-based defence technology company that specializes in advanced laser detection and protection systems.](https://millionrounds.com/company/sentinel-photonics) Sentinel Photonics is a UK-based defence technology company that specializes in advanced laser detection and protection systems. *Founded* 2020 Salisbury, United Kingdom **$5.8M** last round Apr 2026
- 21 [**Delta Diagnostics** Delta Diagnostics is a biotech company that creates highly sensitive and selective biosensors using integrated photonics.](https://millionrounds.com/company/delta-diagnostics) Delta Diagnostics is a biotech company that creates highly sensitive and selective biosensors using integrated photonics. *Founded* 2018 Rotterdam, Netherlands **$5.8M** last round May 2023
- 22 [**Pixel Photonics** Pixel Photonics manufactures scalable single-photon detectors for applications like secure quantum communication.](https://millionrounds.com/company/pixel-photonics) Pixel Photonics manufactures scalable single-photon detectors for applications like secure quantum communication. *Founded* 2020 Münster, Germany **$5.7M** last round Feb 2026
- 23 [**Wave Photonics** Wave Photonics is a deep-tech startup based in Cambridge, United Kingdom, founded in 2021.](https://millionrounds.com/company/wave-photonics) Wave Photonics is a deep-tech startup based in Cambridge, United Kingdom, founded in 2021. *Founded* 2021 Cambridge, United Kingdom **$5.7M** last round Jun 2024
- 24 [**Aylight** Aylight is a photonics company based in Zürich, Switzerland, specializing in chip-scale multiwavelength lasers.](https://millionrounds.com/company/aylight) Aylight is a photonics company based in Zürich, Switzerland, specializing in chip-scale multiwavelength lasers. *Founded* 2025 Zürich, Switzerland **$5.1M** last round Jul 2026
- 25 [**Pilot Photonics** Pilot Photonics develops comb source laser technology for the communications, space, and industrial markets.](https://millionrounds.com/company/pilot-photonics) Pilot Photonics develops comb source laser technology for the communications, space, and industrial markets. *Founded* 2011 Glasnevin, Ireland **$2.7M** last round Mar 2024
- 26 [**Caliopa** Caliopa develops and commercializes silicon photonics-based optical transceivers for the data and telecommunications market.](https://millionrounds.com/company/caliopa) Caliopa develops and commercializes silicon photonics-based optical transceivers for the data and telecommunications market. *Founded* 2010 Zwijnaarde, Belgium **$2.7M** last round Sept 2010
- 27 [**Singular Photonics** Singular Photonics is a fabless semiconductor company based in Edinburgh, United Kingdom.](https://millionrounds.com/company/singular-photonics) Singular Photonics is a fabless semiconductor company based in Edinburgh, United Kingdom. *Founded* 2024 Edinburgh, United Kingdom **$2.2M** last round Aug 2026
- 28 [**Vector Photonics** Vector Photonics is a semiconductor laser company based in Glasgow, specializing in photonic crystal surface-emitting lasers (PCSELs).](https://millionrounds.com/company/vector-photonics) Vector Photonics is a semiconductor laser company based in Glasgow, specializing in photonic crystal surface-emitting lasers (PCSELs). *Founded* 2012 Glasgow, United Kingdom **$2.1M** last round Jun 2024
- 29 [**Northern Light Microscopy** Northern Light Microscopy is a precision photonics and microscopy company based in Glasgow, established in 2024 as a spinout from the University of Strathclyde.](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 the University of Strathclyde. *Founded* 2024 Glasgow, United Kingdom **$1.6M** last round Aug 2026
- 30 [**ALCYON PHOTONICS** Alcyon Photonics foundry validated library of Photonics Integrated Circuits and Cores (PIC and PIP cores (C)) enables customers to effectively develop unique applications.](https://millionrounds.com/company/alcyon-photonics) Alcyon Photonics foundry validated library of Photonics Integrated Circuits and Cores (PIC and PIP cores (C)) enables customers to effectively develop unique applications. *Founded* 2018 Madrid, Spain **$1.6M** last round Jan 2025
- 31 [**Kacentric Optics** Kacentric Optics is developing next-generation photonics test and measurement equipment for industrial and scientific applications.](https://millionrounds.com/company/kacentric-optics) Kacentric Optics is developing next-generation photonics test and measurement equipment for industrial and scientific applications. *Founded* 2019 Lannion, France **$1.4M** last round Apr 2026
- 32 [**Spark lasers** SPARK LASERS is a French photonics company established in 2015 and located in Martillac, near Bordeaux.](https://millionrounds.com/company/spark-lasers) SPARK LASERS is a French photonics company established in 2015 and located in Martillac, near Bordeaux. *Founded* 2015 Martillac, France **$1.2M** last round Sept 2017
- 33 [**Viqthor** VIQTHOR is a French high-technology company specializing in quantum computing infrastructure.](https://millionrounds.com/company/viqthor) VIQTHOR is a French high-technology company specializing in quantum computing infrastructure. *Founded* 2022 Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France **$1.1M** last round Apr 2024
- 34 [**Lizard Photonics** Lizard Photonics develops integrated circuits combining optics and nanotechnology](https://millionrounds.com/company/lizard-photonics) Lizard Photonics develops integrated circuits combining optics and nanotechnology *Founded* - Kongens Lyngby, Denmark **$646K** last round Sept 2026
- 35 [**CCI Photonics** CCI Photonics is a UK-based deep-tech medical device company and a spin-out from Lancaster University, established in 2023.](https://millionrounds.com/company/cci-photonics) CCI Photonics is a UK-based deep-tech medical device company and a spin-out from Lancaster University, established in 2023. *Founded* 2023 Bailrigg, United Kingdom **$561K** last round Jan 2025
- 36 [**MEETOPTICS** MEETOPTICS is an AI-powered technology platform focused on the Optics and Photonics sector.](https://millionrounds.com/company/meetoptics) MEETOPTICS is an AI-powered technology platform focused on the Optics and Photonics sector. *Founded* 2019 Rochester, Spain **$100K** last round Jul 2022
- 37 [**Gekko Photonics** Gekko Photonics is a Polish deep-tech company founded in 2019 in Wroclaw.](https://millionrounds.com/company/gekko-photonics) Gekko Photonics is a Polish deep-tech company founded in 2019 in Wroclaw. *Founded* 2019 Wroclaw, Poland **$100K** last round Jan 2024

**Total funding** how the list is ranked

**15 November 2026** updated nightly

**Rounds we track** source: Millionrounds

Companies whose own description names this theme, ranked by the total they have raised in rounds we hold. Nobody pays to be on a list.

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## More photonics tech lists

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[*P* *L* *I* **Photonics tech startups worldwide** 82 companies · $4.2B](https://millionrounds.com/top-lists/photonics-tech-startups)

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[See all](https://millionrounds.com/top-lists?r=Europe)

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