PhotonDelta and Silicon Catalyst collaborate to support photonics start-ups
The organisations say they will provide a vital avenue for early-stage photonics innovators to gain access to the expertise, investment, and business development support needed to scale successfully
Photonic chip accelerator PhotonDelta has established a strategic collaboration with Silicon Catalyst, an incubator and accelerator focused on the global semiconductor industry. Over the last five years, PhotonDelta has raised close to $1.5 billion to accelerate the commercialisation of the photonics industry.
Bringing together two ecosystems focused on semiconductors and photonics, the partnership aims to enable photonics start-ups to scale successfully by providing a range of services, from access to subject matter experts and advisors, go-to-market business development and access to investors. This will provide a vital avenue for early-stage photonics start-ups to gain access to expertise and funding opportunities. PhotonDelta will provide support from its photonics ecosystem to the Silicon Catalyst portfolio companies.
PhotonDelta is a non-profit organisation focused on supporting an end-to-end value chain for photonic chips that designs, develops, and manufactures innovative solutions that contribute to a better world. Leveraging funding from the National Growth Fund of the Netherlands, alongside strategic investments, PhotonDelta’s goal is to accelerate the innovation cycle for early-stage companies targeting the photonic chip industry.
PhotonDelta’s ecosystem currently comprises over 70 different organisations that form a complete value chain, including design services, multiple foundries for photonic chip fabrication, packaging, assembly and testing, and an increasing number of fabless companies that use PIC technology. Among its activities are R&D programmes, international roadmapping, and investing in start-ups that apply photonics technology.
Silicon Catalyst has developed a support ecosystem with over 500 partners, for its semiconductor start-ups, providing a network of strategic partners, technical and business advisors, investors and industry professionals who help companies to launch and scale in the market. In addition, the incubator’s in-kind partners provide privileged access to services, expertise, and intellectual property that can help commercialise their companies’ technological innovation.
“In many ways the photonics sector is in the same position as the semiconductor industry was 30 years ago,” said Eelko Brinkhoff, CEO at PhotonDelta. “There is unprecedented potential for growth, innovation and disruption. However, we are at a delicate part of the journey. To grasp the opportunities in the market, photonics companies need the right intellectual, practical and financial support to achieve their potential. The collaboration is the latest step in PhotonDelta’s mission to accelerate the global integrated photonics industry and provides a unique and powerful combination of expertise, partners and funding opportunities which will help cultivate a new generation of global companies.”
Pete Rodriguez, CEO at Silicon Catalyst, commented: “Silicon Catalyst has established an unparalleled incubator + accelerator ecosystem within the semiconductor industry. PhotonDelta has built a world-leading photonics ecosystem, historically serving the European market. Our collaboration with PhotonDelta is akin to pairing a research and development lab with our full-service business development programme for early-stage photonics enterprises. By combining the power of our complementary ecosystems, PhotonDelta and Silicon Catalyst hope to unleash a new wave of transformative innovation and growth within the photonics sector on both sides of the Atlantic.”
