Photonics firm raises £600,000

Light Trace Photonics has closed its first investment round led by QantX Ventures, securing £600,000.

The capital injection will drive the development and launch of LightCraft, photonic chip component access platform aimed at accelerating product development for companies in the quantum, communications, and photonic processing sectors.

Bristol-based LightCraft offers customers access to a comprehensive library of tried-and-tested photonic chip components and subsystems, streamlining the design process and significantly reducing time-to-market.

Dr Jake Biele, CEO of Light Trace Photonics, believes LightCraft will mark a turning point in the development of integrated photonics.

He said: “The LightCraft platform, in combination with the LightPort, gives businesses the tools to push the boundaries of what’s possible with integrated photonics. Customers can bring their ideas to life quickly and effectively, driven by the expertise of the Light Trace team.

“At Light Trace, we don’t just design—we build. This hands-on approach provides us with unique insights into the intricacies of photonic chip development, insights that we share with our customers to help fuel their success.”

Dr Harry Alexander, investment manager at QantX, said: “Photonics is a critical and enabling sector for our modern society, with new complex photonic integrated circuits (PICs) representing a paradigm shift in the form and functionality of devices. Having worked with Light Trace since 2022, we’re excited to back them in delivering LightCraft, a novel platform to enable rapid PIC development.”

Light Trace’s growth journey has been supported by Innovate UK Business Growth, with guidance on IP, marketing and business strategy.