Milan-based nanotech startup PhotonPath, which develops cutting-edge Integrated Photonics solutions for sensing and communication, has secured €5.1 million in a Series A funding round.
- Founded in 2019 as a spin-off from Politecnico di Milano and incubated at PoliHub, PhotonPath designs integrated photonic circuits (PICs) and develops modular sensing systems for use in telecommunications and industrial monitoring.
- Operating on a fabless model, the company partners with external manufacturers to produce its proprietary silicon photonics components.
- These circuits consolidate optical functions, traditionally performed by discrete components like mirrors and lenses, into compact, programmable devices. PhotonPath integrates its hardware with control software and digital twins to enable real-time operation and system-level feedback.
- Its product portfolio includes high-resolution optical spectrum analyzers and fiber-optic sensors for temperature and strain monitoring, deployed across data centers, utility infrastructure, and automotive systems. To support production scale-up, the company also develops in-house testing and calibration tools.
"AI is reshaping the world, and behind the scenes, enabling technologies like integrated photonics are laying the foundation for that revolution. From data centres to smart infrastructure, nothing moves forward without faster, leaner, and power-efficient optical systems. And that’s exactly where we come in," PhotonPath's team, commented on LinkedIn.
- PhotonPath is currently building a reconfigurable sensing platform, Spectre, and expanding into sectors such as aerospace, energy, and industrial automation.
Details of the deal
- The Series A round was led by Join Capital, a Berlin-based early-stage venture capital firm focused on industrial and deep tech startups, with participation from Deep Ocean Capital, Levante Capital, 360 Capital, RoboIT, and Brembo Ventures, who also joined the round.
"We’re proud to lead this Series A alongside a stellar lineup of deep-tech investors. Massive congrats to Douglas Aguiar and the PhotonPath team. Let’s see how far you can take the speed of light," Join Capital's team, stated.
- PhotonPath will use the fresh funding to scale up production capacity for its proprietary silicon photonics chipsets and plug-and-play modules by expanding manufacturing partnerships and enhancing in-house calibration and quality control.
- Additionally, the startup plans to grow its sales and commercial teams and accelerate its product development roadmap, targeting new opportunities in optical networking, industrial monitoring, and smart infrastructure.
