Funding to PhotonDelta Fast-Tracks Netherlands' Photonics Position

PhotonDelta, the Eindhoven, Netherlands-based integrated photonics ecosystem, has secured more than €1 billion in public and private investment to support semiconductor development and manufacturing in the Netherlands. The €1.1 billion ($1.18 billion) investment, which is subject to conditions, includes €470 million ($507.04 million) obtained through the National Growth Fund (Nationaal Groeifonds). The remainder is co-invested by various partners and stakeholders.

The funding establishes a six-year program and enables PhotonDelta and its partners to make further investments in photonic startups and scaleups, expand production and research facilities, attract and train talent, drive adoption, and develop a world-class design library.

By 2030, PhotonDelta aims to have created an ecosystem with hundreds of companies, serving customers worldwide and a wafer production capacity of 100,000-plus annually.

The PhotonDelta ecosystem currently consists of 26 companies, 11 technology partners, and 12 R&D partners. The organization has jointly invested €171 million ($184.29 million) in photonics companies including Smart Photonics, PhotonsFirst, Surfix, MicroAlign, Solmates, and Effect Photonics

Newly secured funding totaling more than $1 billion will facilitate a six-year program and enable PhotonDelta and its partners to further invest in photonic startups and scaleups, expand production and research facilities, attract and train talent, drive adoption, and develop a world-class design library. Courtesy of PhotonDelta via Bart van Overbeeke.

“The ongoing chip shortage highlights the pressing need for Europe to create its own production capabilities for strategic technologies. We will now be able to support hundreds of startups, researchers, producers, and innovators to boost this industry that will be as impactful as the introduction of microelectronics a few decades ago,” said Ewit Roos, PhotonDelta CEO.

“Photonic chips are one of the most important technological breakthroughs of the last decade. Not only do they allow for the creation of devices that are faster, cheaper, more powerful, and greener — they also enable radical new innovations like affordable point-of-care diagnostics or quantum computing to become a reality.”

The PhotonDelta proposal was submitted by the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs & Climate Policy in close collaboration with Eindhoven University of Technology, University of Twente, Delft University of Technology, Holst Centre, TNO, IMEC, PITC, CITC, Holst Centre, OnePlanet, Smart Photonics, Lionix International, Effect Photonics, MantiSpectra, PhotonFirst, Phix, and Bright Photonics.

Conditions of the funding arrangement, as listed in a release from PhotonDelta, include strategic partnership with a foundry agreed, research activity connected with applications of technology, and ongoing evaluation of PhotonDelta’s ecosystem.