Invest-NL's Deep Tech Fund is investing in a photonics chipmaker

€ 100 million available for SMART Photonics through public-private investment.

The Deep Tech Fund, a part of Invest-NL, is one of the new investors in SMART Photonics, along with several strategic players from the semiconductor industry (ASML, NXP, and VDL Group), as well as the financial sector (BOP, Impact Ventures, and ING). Additionally, existing investors including Innovation Industries, BOM, PhotonDelta, and KPN Ventures are participating in this financing round. Thanks to these private investments, a crucial condition is met to unlock the € 60 million awarded in the second round of the National Growth Fund program PhotonDelta. This means that the investment round consists of blended finance, bringing together various forms of public and private financing.

Photonics chip technology, also known as optical chip technology, operates using light (photons) instead of electricity (electrons) as traditional electronic chips do. This fundamental difference offers several significant advantages, including higher speed, lower production costs compared to electronic chips, and enabling new applications such as quantum technology. Photonic chips also consume much less energy than electronic chips, making them more sustainable.

Harold van den Brink, responsible for the investment at Invest-NL, stated: "This investment aligns perfectly with the focus of the Deep Tech Fund. We are delighted to support the growth ambitions of SMART Photonics and consider this investment as a strengthening of the ecosystem of the Dutch and European photonics chip industry. From the Deep Tech Fund, we are very proud of the result, with a wide range of reputable parties committing to a substantial investment in this emerging photonics market."