Photonic crystal surface-emitting lasers (PCSELs) are low cost, robust, have a broad wavelength range and high power. This is a unique combination of key characteristics which gives them a huge advantage over other current semiconductor laser technologies. With their development, Vector Photonics is targeting the datacoms market, where its lasers significantly reduce the power consumption in next-generation datacenters and co-located optics applications. In future, PCSEL technology will also enable significant performance breakthroughs in metal and plastic printing, lidar, and optical sensing – some of the fastest growing technology markets in the world.

Neil Martin, CEO of Vector Photonics, said, “We are pleased to announce the 2.4 million pound equity investment which comes from a group of specialist funding companies. Clean Growth Fund are the major investor, followed by the Foresight WAE Technology (FWT) Funds, with further investment support from the UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund (UKI2S), Scottish Enterprise and Equity Gap, who led this round.”

Clean Growth Fund and Scottish Enterprise are new investors in Vector Photonics. Clean Growth Fund is focused on clean tech companies which reduce carbon emissions and support a sustainable future, with Vector Photonics being the first Scottish company in its portfolio. Scottish Enterprise is Scotland’s national economic development agency and works to transform the Scottish economy by helping businesses innovate and scale.

The remaining investors have been involved with Vector Photonics from the start. The FWT Funds invest in high growth-potential companies with innovative and transformational technologies; UKI2S is a specialist deep-tech seed fund focused on spin outs from the UK’s research base; and Equity Gap is an angel investment syndicate, investing at an early stage in new technology businesses throughout Scotland.

Further reading: “Biggest development in semiconductor lasers in 30 years” – Vector Photonics team awarded for outstanding contribution to engineering, wileyindustrynews.com, 29 October 2021