Eindhoven-based startup Photon IP has raised <\/span>\u20ac4.75mn in seed funding as it looks to scale up its unique method for creating energy-efficient photonic chips.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n AI systems, data centres, fibre-optic networks, and\u00a0even some sensors rely on photonic chips to send and receive information using light. These chips are a big deal because they\u2019re faster and use less energy than typical semiconductors, which transfer data through electricity.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n But to make these high-performance, light-speed chips you need special compounds called III-V materials, such as indium phosphide.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThese materials are relatively scarce and expensive though, so the industry has been looking at ways of using silicon, leveraging all the scale and capability from the world of electronics,\u201d <\/span>Photon\u2019s CCO John Anderton told TNW<\/span>.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n However, combining III-V materials with silicon on one single chip is, simply put, bloody difficult. That\u2019s exactly where Photon has found an attractive market opportunity.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Showcase your startup at TNW Conference<\/p>\n Get noticed. Build brand awareness. Connect with the industry players who can help turn your big idea into the next big thing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Founded in 2022, the startup has developed a way to integrate III-V materials and silicon onto a single chip that can handle light better, use less power, and be mass-produced for things like faster internet, smarter AI systems, and high-precision sensors.\u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThere are many companies making photonic chips, but the challenge is finding the best way to combine and integrate these materials onto a single chip,\u201d said Anderton.<\/span> \u201cWe bring to market a unique, revolutionary technology<\/a> that allows us to deliver the lowest energy use and the best performance while being scalable.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Photon is fabless, meaning it outsources the chipmaking to established manufacturers, who make the chips to the startup\u2019s specifications. The commercial value lies in Photon\u2019s secret sauce.<\/span><\/p>\n Amsterdam-based deep tech VC Innovation Industries led Photon\u2019s seed round,\u00a0<\/span>with participation from Faber and the Brabant Development Agency. The venture arm of <\/span>PhotonDelta, a photonics industry body based in Eindhoven, was the fourth and final investor.<\/p>\n Photon IP has already secured <\/span>\u20ac2mn in grant funding from the European Innovation Council.<\/span> Today\u2019s seed round is its second injection of private equity, following a <\/span>\u20ac1.1mn investment in 2022 led by Polish early-stage photonics investment firm Vigo Ventures<\/span>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Photon told TNW it will use the fresh funding to grow its team as it looks to announce its first photonic chip products later this year.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n If you want to read more like this article, you can visit our Technology category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
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