News: Optoelectronics
19 January 2023
Dutch consortium invests €3.5m in LioniX
A Dutch consortium led by Invest-NL and FORWARD.one, and further consisting of Universiteit Twente Holding, Oost NL and Netherlands-based PhotonDelta, has invested €3.5m in LioniX International BV (LXI) of Enschede, The Netherlands, which designs and produces customized integrated microsystems, photonics, sensing and micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) for OEMs and system integrators. The consortium sees investment in LioniX International as an illustration of its commitment to further strengthening the Dutch deep-tech ecosystem and ChipTech Twente in particular.
LioniX has developed the proprietary TriPleX photonic integrated circuit (PIC) platform, which is based on stoichiometric silicon nitride (SiN) proprietary waveguide technology realized by low-pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD). This enables the development of applications ranging from augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR), (bio)sensing and telecom to photonic quantum computing. Its solutions are critical for the advancement of technologies for a range of industries including healthcare, aerospace, defense and telecoms.
As a vertically integrated player within the Dutch deep-tech ecosystem, LioniX offers full module product development and production for its OEM customers with services including microfabrication, packaging & assembly, prototyping, testing & characterization, and engineering design. This module development is based on an extensive library of validated building blocks from which customized modules are built.
“This set of investors enables further growth for LioniX International,” says CEO Arne Leinse. “We are excited to continue developing and delivering cutting-edge microsystem solutions to our current, and new clients around the globe,” he adds.
“This investment is an exciting step forward for both LioniX International and the Dutch tech industry as a whole,” comments Leo Holwerda, director capital at Invest-NL. “It fits perfectly with the ambitions of our Deep Tech Fund, which aims to invest in knowledge-intensive start- and scale-ups that have the potential to bring innovation in the Netherlands to the next level,” he adds.
“LioniX has developed a technology that is a leader in the field of photonics with numerous potential applications,” comments Paul Pruijmboom, general partner at FORWARD.one. “As a high-quality Dutch deep-tech company, LioniX exemplifies the innovative potential of the Netherlands,” he adds.
“With this investment in LioniX we strengthen our position in chip technology in East Netherlands,” says Chimwemwe de Gaay Fortman, director capital at Oost NL. “Together we built a strong Dutch photonics cluster with global impact.”
“This investment in LioniX International is a further enhancement of the tech ecosystem in Twente, and will help to further establish Twente as one of the key photonics and quantum technology hubs in Europe,” believes Ellen Velthuis, chief financial officer at University of Twente Holding.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy of the Netherlands and Invest-NL launched their Deep Tech Fund (DTF) in early 2022. The DTF aims to invest in companies with innovative, complex technologies, like LioniX. These investments are reckoned to be crucial for the future of the Dutch economy and, more specifically, contribute to the aim to strengthen knowledge and innovation within the Netherlands and the European Union.
PhotonDelta, TNO, Eindhoven and Twente collaborating on Photonic Integration Technology Center
