On January 1, 2024, CEO Ewit Roos will leave PhotonDelta to become a General Partner at Eindhoven-based deeptech VC firm PhotonVentures. In Roos’ absence, Laurens Weers, a board member, will manage PhotonDelta until a new CEO is appointed.
PhotonDelta establishes an ecosystem for designing and manufacturing innovative solutions with integrated photonic technology. They provide coaching, funding, and market access to partners.
Photonic chips are vital for applications like quantum computing, robotics, sustainable agriculture, and autonomous vehicles.
During his eight-year tenure, Roos helped PhotonDelta evolve into a well-funded integrated photonics industry accelerator with over 60 corporate members and a global presence.
René Penning de Vries, chair of PhotonDelta’s Supervisory Board, says, “Ewit Roos has shown exceptional leadership and commitment during his tenure as CEO of PhotonDelta. His vision has played an important role in accelerating the PhotonDelta ecosystem from 6 companies to over 60, laying the foundation for an integrated photonics industry in the Netherlands.”
“We remain confident that Ewit, as a General Partner in PhotonVentures, will continue contributing to the industry’s growth. On behalf of the Supervisory Board, I want to thank Ewit for his efforts and wish him all the best in his future endeavours.”
Increasing funds for the European photonics industry
Ewit Roos is stepping into his new role at PhotonVentures at a pivotal moment as the industrialisation of integrated photonics in the semiconductor industry gains momentum.
Dutch infrastructure and ecosystem developments have created opportunities, prompting companies to capitalise on them. PhotonVentures, co-founded by PhotonDelta, is intensifying this progress by investing in European and Dutch companies.
These investments aim to stimulate demand and enhance the Dutch integrated photonics industry further.
Roos says, “I may be leaving PhotonDelta, but my dedication remains with the integrated photonics ecosystem. While we have made great progress in recent years, it’s clear that there’s still a lot of work waiting for us.”
“Suppliers need to manufacture in higher volumes to reach competitive prices, and they can only do so when there’s sufficient demand. First adopters are typically smaller companies which do not yet generate the needed level of demand.”
“This is why I am grateful for the consistent support of the Dutch regional and national governments, helping many young companies to bridge the ‘valley of death’. At PhotonVentures, I will be in the best position to support that goal,” adds Roos.
Brief about PhotonVentures
Founded in 2014, PhotonVentures is an independent strategic partner of PhotonDelta. It is a specialised deeptech venture capital firm dedicated to Integrated Photonics technology.
Emerging from PhotonDelta, a driving force in the European Integrated Photonics ecosystem, PhotonVentures claims to have played a key role in the growth of the Dutch Integrated Photonics industry through substantial investments and research and development efforts.
Supported by €1.1B in public funds from the Dutch National Growth Fund, PhotonDelta aims to bring Integrated Photonics to volume markets.
“At PhotonVentures, our ambition is to develop Integrated Photonics technology to foster sustainability, inclusivity, and global connectivity. We achieve this by investing in innovative, differentiating companies that utilise Integrated Photonics in ways that create economic value and meaningfully impact our world.”
“We provide our portfolio companies with the capital, industry connectivity, and hands-on support they need to succeed, driving the development and dissemination of Integrated Photonics technologies and applications across Europe and beyond,” says the firm.
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