The fiber optic cable manufacturing industry in Benelux is pivotal in the connectivity revolution, majorly influencing telecommunications and data transfer sectors. Companies range from startups inventing new optical technologies to established manufacturers scaling production capabilities. This sector is propelled by high demand for faster internet speeds, driving innovations like Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) and integrated systems. Collaborations across countries like Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg are enhancing technological advancements and sustainability efforts. Looking ahead, investments in green technologies and smart cities are likely to shape the industry's future, as stakeholders prioritize responsible growth and innovation in fiber optics.


In this listing of fiber optic cable manufacturing investors, you'll find a variety of types—from venture capital firms to corporate bodies—headquartered throughout the Benelux region. Companies vary in size, from small funds of 1-10 employees to large entities with over 10,000. Established from 1958 to 2020, these investors engaged in 2024 deal counts from as few as 1 to 99. This array of investors underscores commitment to the evolving realm of fiber optics, enhancing existing infrastructures and pursuing new opportunities.


Top 13 Fiber Optic Cable Manufacturing Investors in Benelux


1. European Innovation Council (EIC)


The European Innovation Council (EIC) is a public entity based in Brussels, Belgium, established to support innovation and entrepreneurship across Europe. Founded in 1958, the EIC offers various funding programs, including the EIC Accelerator and EIC Pathfinder, aimed at helping startups and SMEs develop and scale their technologies. In recent years, the EIC has been involved in several transactions relevant to the fiber optic cable manufacturing industry. For instance, it has provided grants to companies like Cailabs, which specializes in laser communications, and other firms such as iPronics and NewPhotonics, which are engaged in optical technologies. These investments highlight the EIC's commitment to fostering innovation in sectors that include fiber optics, making it a significant player in this field.


2. European Investment Bank (EIB)


The European Investment Bank (EIB) is a public entity based in Luxembourg, founded in 1958, that provides a range of financial services including loans, equity investments, guarantees, and advisory services aimed at supporting sustainable projects across various sectors. In 2024, the EIB was involved in notable transactions within the fiber optic cable manufacturing context, such as providing $487.7 million in post-IPO debt to Prysmian Group, a leading manufacturer of fiber optic cables. Additionally, the EIB financed Deutsche Glasfaser with $391.1 million in debt, further emphasizing its role in supporting the fiber optic infrastructure. Other relevant transactions include financing for companies like Telefonica Germany, Gigaclear, and Hyperoptic, all of which are involved in the telecommunications sector, highlighting the EIB's commitment to promoting growth and job creation in industries that rely on fiber optic technology.


3. Gimv

  • Website: gimv.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium
  • Founded year: 1980
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 8
  • LinkedIn: gimv

Gimv is a venture capital investment firm based in Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium, founded in 1980. The firm partners with innovative companies across diverse sectors, including Consumer, Healthcare, Life Sciences, Smart Industries, and Sustainable Cities. Gimv provides investment management and strategic support to help businesses grow sustainably. Notably, they have made significant acquisitions in the cable industry, including Verkley, a Netherlands-based specialist in underground energy and water cables, which aligns with the fiber optic cable manufacturing context. Their recent acquisition of A1 Electronics and Baas Groep B.V. further demonstrates their active engagement in sectors related to cable and energy solutions, indicating a broader interest that could encompass fiber optic technologies.


4. ABN AMRO Clearing Bank

  • Website: abnamro.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 1982
  • Headcount: 501-1000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 19
  • LinkedIn: abn-amro-clearing-bank-n-v-

ABN AMRO Clearing Bank, founded in 1982 and based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, is a banking institution that provides a range of financial services including personal banking, business banking, and investment management. The bank has been involved in various significant transactions in the fiber optic cable sector, including the non-recourse financing of Glasfaser Nordwest's expansion of its FTTH network in northwest Germany, where they participated in raising approximately €800 million. Additionally, they were part of the international banking consortium that provided capex financing for Deutsche GigaNetz GmbH, which is focused on expanding fiber optic infrastructure. Their recent debt financing activities with euNetworks Group and GlasDraad further highlight their active role in supporting the fiber optic industry.


5. M Ventures

  • Website: m-ventures.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2009
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 18
  • LinkedIn: merck-ventures

M Ventures is a venture capital fund based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 2009. The firm specializes in investing in transformative ideas within the biotechnology and technology sectors, providing funding and strategic guidance to startups in healthcare, life sciences, and advanced technology. In recent years, M Ventures has expanded its portfolio to include companies involved in photonics and optical technologies, which are crucial for fiber optic cable manufacturing. Notably, they participated in the funding rounds of Celestial AI, a company that develops Photonic Fabric Optical Interconnect Technology, and Polaris Electro-Optics, which focuses on integrated photonics products. These investments highlight M Ventures' commitment to supporting innovation in the fiber optics space, alongside their broader focus on advanced technology.


6. Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij (BOM)


De Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij (BOM) is a venture capital development agency based in Tilburg, North Brabant, Netherlands, founded in 1983. BOM supports startups and scale-ups in the Brabant region by offering various programs aimed at enhancing business growth, including readiness programs for venture capital and innovation in sustainable food and energy sectors. They collaborate with businesses to provide funding, expertise, and networking opportunities, facilitating their success in competitive markets. Notably, BOM has made significant investments in the fiber optic cable manufacturing context, including Series A funding for EFFECT Photonics in 2015 and 2016, and a substantial debt financing round for SMART-Photonics in July 2023, which raised over $44 million. These transactions highlight BOM's active role in supporting companies that are integral to the fiber optic industry.


7. Innovation Industries


Innovation Industries is a venture capital firm based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 2017. The firm specializes in deep tech investments, focusing on catalyzing growth in technology companies that can transform industries. They provide capital and support to startups across various sectors, including industrial tech, med tech, and food & agri tech. Notably, Innovation Industries has been actively involved in the fiber optic cable manufacturing context through their investments in EFFECT Photonics, a company that has raised substantial funding rounds (including $38 million in Series D in March 2024 and $40 million in a venture round in March 2023) to develop single-chip coherent optics and scale production. Additionally, their investment in PHIX, which received €3 million for new equipment and is advancing in photonic chip industrialization, highlights their commitment to supporting innovations in the fiber optic sector.


8. Invest-NL

  • Website: invest-nl.nl
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2020
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 17
  • LinkedIn: invest-nl

Invest-NL is an impact investment firm based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 2020. The firm focuses on financing sustainable and innovative projects, particularly in the energy and technology sectors. They support entrepreneurs with promising plans for societal transitions by mobilizing capital from various sources to make impactful investments that contribute to a more sustainable economy. Notably, Invest-NL has been involved in several transactions relevant to the fiber optic cable manufacturing industry, including significant investments in EFFECT Photonics, which raised substantial funding in multiple rounds to develop single-chip coherent optics and scale production. Additionally, they invested in SMART-Photonics, which also plays a role in the fiber optics space. These transactions highlight Invest-NL's commitment to supporting advancements in fiber optic technology.


9. imec.xpand

  • Website: imecxpand.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Leuven, Flanders, Belgium
  • Founded year: 2017
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 5
  • LinkedIn: imec.xpand

imec.xpand is a venture capital fund based in Leuven, Flanders, Belgium, founded in 2017. The fund specializes in providing investment and operational support to early-stage deep tech companies, particularly in the semiconductor and nanotechnology sectors. By leveraging imec's expertise and infrastructure, imec.xpand helps startups navigate their development and market challenges. Among its notable transactions, imec.xpand has invested in Pharrowtech, which focuses on wireless communication technologies, and Celestial AI, a company developing Photonic Fabric Optical Interconnect Technology, which is directly relevant to fiber optic communications. Additionally, imec.xpand participated in the funding of Nubis Communications, further indicating its interest in companies that may intersect with fiber optic technologies. These investments highlight imec.xpand's commitment to fostering innovation in areas that are crucial for the advancement of fiber optic cable manufacturing.


10. PhotonDelta

  • Website: photondelta.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Eindhoven, North Brabant, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2018
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: photondelta

PhotonDelta is a corporate investor based in Eindhoven, North Brabant, Netherlands, founded in 2018. The company specializes in integrated photonics, focusing on the research, development, and manufacturing of photonic integrated circuits (PICs). PhotonDelta offers investment opportunities in this sector, catering to various industries, including telecommunications, healthcare, and agriculture. Notably, PhotonDelta has participated in significant funding rounds for companies like EFFECT Photonics, which raised $37 million to develop single-chip coherent optics, and PhotonFirst, which secured €11 million in Series A funding to support its business plan. Additionally, PhotonDelta has been involved in funding SMART Photonics, a foundry for photonic integrated circuits, which has raised substantial amounts to scale production and strengthen the integrated photonics ecosystem in the Netherlands. These transactions highlight PhotonDelta's active role in the photonics industry, which is closely linked to fiber optic technologies.


11. Altice Group

  • Website: altice.net
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Luxembourg
  • Founded year: 2001
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • LinkedIn: altice-group

Altice Group, founded in 2001 and based in Luxembourg, is a prominent telecommunications and mass media company that delivers internet, TV, and phone services across Western Europe, Israel, the United States, and the Caribbean. The company focuses on providing connectivity solutions to both residential and business customers. Notably, Altice has made significant investments in the fiber optic sector, including the acquisition of Covage in November 2019 for over $1.1 billion, which operates fiber optic networks in France. Additionally, their acquisition of Suddenlink Communications in May 2015 for $9.1 billion further emphasizes their commitment to expanding broadband services, which often rely on fiber optic technology. These transactions highlight Altice's active role in the fiber optic cable manufacturing and telecommunications industry.


12. KPN Ventures

  • Website: kpnventures.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2015
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: kpn-ventures

KPN Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands, founded in 2015. The firm specializes in investing in innovative technology companies across various sectors, including Cloud Computing, Cyber Security, and Digital Healthcare. KPN Ventures provides capital, expertise, and networking opportunities to help early-stage companies grow and succeed in their respective markets. Notably, KPN Ventures has been involved in significant transactions such as the Series C and Debt Financing rounds for SMART-Photonics, which raised substantial amounts in 2020 and 2023, respectively. This indicates their active participation in the fiber optics industry, as SMART-Photonics is likely engaged in related technologies. Additionally, KPN Ventures participated in funding rounds for Wirepas, a company focused on connectivity solutions, further showcasing their interest in technology that may intersect with fiber optics.


13. Lrm

  • Website: lrm.be
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Hasselt, Flanders, Belgium
  • Founded year: 1994
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: lrmnv

LRM (lrm.be) is a venture capital firm based in Hasselt, Flanders, Belgium, founded in 1994. The firm focuses on sustainable economic growth in the Limburg region, providing financing and expertise to startups, scale-ups, and mature companies. LRM is actively involved in various sectors, including real estate development and the reconversion of old mining sites. Notably, LRM has participated in funding rounds for Silicon Line, a company specializing in optical transceivers, which are critical components in fiber optic cable manufacturing. In 2018, LRM was part of a Series B funding round for Silicon Line, contributing to their production ramp-up and expansion efforts. Additionally, LRM was involved in a previous funding round for Silicon Line in 2015, further solidifying their connection to the fiber optic industry. Other investments by LRM include companies like Fremach, Kriya Materials, and Hammer-IMS, although these are not directly related to fiber optics.



Fiber Optic Cable Manufacturing Insights: Key Investors in Benelux


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
European Innovation Council (EIC)Brussels, Brussels, Belgium201-500195857
European Investment Bank (EIB)Luxembourg1001-5000195899
GimvAntwerp, Flanders, Belgium51-20019808
ABN AMRO Clearing BankAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands501-1000198219
M VenturesAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands11-50200918
Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij (BOM)Tilburg, North Brabant, Netherlands51-200198310
Innovation IndustriesAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands11-50201710
Invest-NLAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands51-200202017
imec.xpandLeuven, Flanders, Belgium1-1020175
PhotonDeltaEindhoven, North Brabant, Netherlands11-5020181
Altice GroupLuxembourg10001+20010
KPN VenturesRotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands1-1020153
LrmHasselt, Flanders, Belgium51-20019941


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