en.Wedoany.com Reported - Pilot Photonics, an integrated photonics company headquartered in Dublin, has received an investment proposal of up to €10.4 million from the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator under Horizon Europe.
Information technology is currently accelerating its transition from electronics to photonics, with an increasing number of devices adopting light-based circuits to replace traditional electronic circuits. Photonic circuits are more energy-efficient, support higher bandwidth signal processing, and enable entirely new applications. The patented photonic chip technology developed by Pilot Photonics uses lasers to generate exceptionally pure wireless signals, which is crucial for strategic applications such as artificial intelligence data centers, satellite communications, 5G, and 6G mobile networks. The company's innovation is both technical and commercial.
Integrating photonic components into compact, cost-effective, and scalable chips lowers the entry barriers for key industries. Data servers have already adopted photonic integrated circuits to meet the bandwidth demands of artificial intelligence. Commercially driven space exploration ("New Space") has also turned to photonic chips to help reduce system size, weight, and power consumption. Pilot Photonics' technology has been validated by leading international customers in two markets.
As demand for advanced photonic chip technology grows, the support from the EIC Accelerator comes at a critical stage for Pilot Photonics. This funding will be used for product certification, large-scale manufacturing, and expanding the team in Ireland and internationally.
The European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator program, part of the Horizon Europe 2021-2027 research and innovation framework, offers up to €2.5 million in grant funding and equity investments ranging from €500,000 to €10 million (blended finance). Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke, stated that Pilot Photonics has made significant progress in the strategic field of semiconductor technology, contributing to Europe's digital sovereignty and strategic autonomy in key areas such as 6G mobile networks, satellite and space systems, and secure communications. The investment received is a testament to the innovation and dedication of the Pilot Photonics team. He congratulated William, Frank, and the entire Pilot Photonics team on this investment and wished the company continued success as it develops its innovations and grows its business. William Oppermann, CEO of Pilot Photonics, said that being selected by the European Innovation Council is a major recognition of the company's technology, team, and commercial ambitions. This support will help move from breakthrough innovation to industrialization, build a stronger team in Ireland, certify products for global customers, and establish the supply chain needed for international competition.
Enterprise Ireland leads the Horizon Europe National Support Network, including supporting deep-tech companies in the country to compete for and secure funding in the competitive EIC grant programs. Kevin Burke, National Director of Horizon Europe at Enterprise Ireland, stated that this award is international recognition of the breakthrough nature of Pilot Photonics' technology, the progress the team has already made in commercializing the product, and the potential to now expand its business globally. The support they provide through the EIC National Contact Point team to deep-tech companies like Pilot Photonics is highly aligned with Enterprise Ireland's strategy of helping companies secure transformative funding to start, compete, scale, and connect both domestically and internationally.
