PhotonDelta and Gritd launch PhotonStudio to turn industry challenges into photonic chip ventures
At PIC Summit Europe 2025, PhotonDelta and Gritd launched PhotonStudio, a new venture studio that transforms industrial bottlenecks into photonic chip startups. Instead of starting with technology, PhotonStudio begins with real-world challenges to reshape how photonic ventures are built.
Aiming to strengthen the Dutch and European photonic ecosystem, PhotonStudio focuses on identifying issues in sectors like food, logistics, healthcare, and energy where measurement or monitoring limitations slow progress, then applies photonic chip solutions to address them.
Laurens Weers, CFO of PhotonDelta, said the studio “flips the venture creation model” by starting with challenges before developing solutions. Stephan Botz of Gritd added that the collaboration enables entrepreneurs and industry partners to co-create ventures tackling industrial and societal needs through photonics.
PhotonStudio’s process includes identifying pain points, validating use cases, translating them into photonic solutions, and building investor-ready ventures. Operated on a no-equity, value-creation model, the studio prioritises impact over ownership. PhotonStudio now invites companies to share their toughest process challenges and entrepreneurs to join as founders, with its first ventures expected to launch within the next year.
