TLDR:
May venture deals in photonics were highlighted by companies using innovative thin-film or surface texturing technology to tailor optical properties for specific applications. The largest deal was for NIL Technology, a Danish company using nanoimprint lithography to improve the performance of meta-optics. MIT spinout Active Surfaces raised a large pre-Seed round to commercialize lightweight, flexible solar panels. Mapsi Photonics also received an investment to advance its macroporous silicon technology for industrial applications.
Optical material companies top May’s VC activity
Companies using innovative thin film or surface texturing technology to tailor optical properties made VC news in May. The largest deal was for NIL Technology, a Danish company using nanoimprint lithography to improve the performance of meta-optics for applications such as consumer electronics and robotics. Active Surfaces, a MIT spinout, raised a large pre-Seed round to commercialize lightweight, flexible solar panels. Mapsi Photonics received an investment to advance its macroporous silicon technology for industrial applications like gas identification and thermal vision. Eric Hall, a managing partner of Entrada Ventures, provided insights into the venture funding landscape in the photonics industry.
Overall, May’s VC activity in the photonics industry was driven by companies focusing on innovative technologies to enhance optical properties for various applications. These investments are expected to fuel the growth and development of new optical materials and technologies in the coming months.
