Luminate is strengthening global photonics innovation through a new strategic partnership with PhotonDelta, the Netherlands-based photonic chip accelerator. The partnership brings together two leading photonics ecosystems to strengthen international innovation, expand access to resources, and provide enhanced support for startups aiming to commercialize photonics technologies.
“Our shared commitment to growing the photonics industry is at the heart of this partnership. Working with PhotonDelta allows us to combine strengths, support cross-border growth, and accelerate the development of breakthrough technologies,” said Dr. Sujatha Ramanujan.
Rochester’s rise as a tech powerhouse
When Rochester was named one of the Top 10 Emerging Tech Markets in North America by Site Selection Magazine, we weren’t surprised. We see the momentum every day. While major metros like San Francisco and Toronto tend to dominate the spotlight, Rochester is proving it has the right ingredients for tech-driven growth: a deep bench of talent, affordable cost of living, and specialized strengths in optics, photonics, AI, and semiconductors.
With 18 colleges and universities, 75,000 students, and 17,000 graduates each year, the region continues to feed a growing innovation ecosystem that supports startups at every stage. It’s a place where cutting-edge research meets real-world application, where collaboration across academia and industry drives advancement, and where founders can access the tools and community they need to build something meaningful.
Luminate cohort 8 tapped into that energy during their latest in-person week, meeting with members of the Rochester Chapter of the American Marketing Association (AMA) and touring the local office and lab facility of the American Center for Optics Manufacturing (AmeriCOM). Teams stayed busy in the classroom with workshops on:
- How to assess your digital health, with Peter Platt, President of Accountable Digital
- Competitive assessments and IP strategy session, with Dr. Sujatha Ramanujan
- Elevator-pitch development, with Holly Barrett, NextCorps’ Chief Marketing Officer; and Kate Leonard, Digital Marketing Manager
- Financial Essentials for Entrepreneurs, with Candice Sheffer, former Managing Director of Finance at NextCorps
- How to build an engaging website, with Kate Leonard
- Tradeshow strategies and planning, with Holly Barrett
They also had time to relax and connect with one another during a night out in Pittsford, complete with dinner at Olives, a walk along the Erie Canal, and ice cream from the local gem, Pittsford Dairy.
Showcase your work at Photonics West
The call for papers is now open for SPIE Photonics West 2026, the world’s largest conference for optics and photonics technologies. Researchers are invited to submit abstracts across key symposia, including AR | VR | MR, BiOS, LASE, OPTO, Quantum West, and the new Vision Tech track, by July 9.
Browse the full list of conferences and submit your abstract.
Portfolio wins
Leaders from two Luminate portfolio companies have been named to Optica’s latest Entrepreneurs to Watch list. Julia Somerdin, co-founder and CEO of Labby, and Andri Mahendra, founder and CEO of Nicslab, are recognized for their impactful work applying optics-based technologies to real-world challenges. Stay tuned for their full Q&As, publishing July 3 (Julia) and August 1 (Andri).
Labby also reached a major milestone with the first commercial installation of its real-time milk quality testing technology. The installation proves Labby’s system works not just in the lab but in the high-stakes world of commercial dairy.
Arovia announced the launch of Splay Max, a fully collapsible, ultra-portable 2-in-1 device that functions as both a high-performance projector and a full HD display. Watch the unboxing to see it in action, or back the project on Kickstarter.
Swave Photonics has raised an additional $7M as part of a follow-on investment to the company’s Series A round, funding that will support the continued development of its HXR technology and expand the company’s commercialization efforts. Swave was also ranked the #2 startup in Belgium in a recent TechRound listing.
Qunnect has closed an oversubscribed $10M Series A extension, led by Airbus Ventures with participation from Cisco and Quantonation, to accelerate the deployment of its room-temperature quantum networking products.
Photonect Interconnect Solutions was awarded a $1.25M SBIR Phase II grant from the National Science Foundation, a major milestone in the company’s mission to transform photonic manufacturing with its laser splicing machine, PIX-Attach™.
Circle Optics is one of only twelve startups selected for the 2025 MassChallenge Air Force Labs Accelerator, a program designed to support the development of dual-use technologies for the U.S. Air Force. As part of the program, Circle Optics will focus on securing a Direct to Phase II SBIR (D2P2) and strengthening relationships within the Air Force innovation ecosystem.
Pixel Photonics, along with a consortium of partners, has developed a highly integrated, user-friendly quantum receiver system that reduces complexity without compromising performance. The group recently celebrated a milestone in what it calls the QuNET+ RECONNAITRE project—the successful installation of its QKD receiver system at Fraunhofer HHI.
(Pictured below) VoxelSensors has formed a strategic partnership with IG Drones, a leading Indian drone tech company, to integrate its next-gen 3D perception systems into UAV platforms. The collaboration aims to transform drone navigation in GPS-denied and visually complex environments, including dense forests, tunnels, urban zones, and industrial sites.
