The optical laser manufacturing industry in Benelux focuses on producing advanced laser technologies and systems for various applications, including telecommunications, medical devices, and industrial processes. Companies range from established multinational corporations to innovative startups, often specializing in niche markets such as photonics, laser-enhanced imaging, and precision machining. Recent trends show a shift toward miniaturization and smart integration, which promises improved performance and lower energy consumption. Furthermore, collaboration among research institutions is driving breakthroughs in laser applications, further positioning the region as a hub for optical innovation.


The list features an assortment of investors active in Benelux, including corporate giants and dynamic venture capital firms. Predominantly headquartered in Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Belgium, the listed investors range from small, emerging funds to larger corporate entities. Founded between 1983 and 2023, these investors participated in various deals in 2024, demonstrating engagement in the optical laser sector. With investments aimed at driving innovation, these players reflect a mix of experience and fresh perspectives vital to the industry’s growth trajectory.


Top 17 Optical Laser 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. The EIC provides business acceleration services, networking opportunities, and prizes to foster innovation across different sectors. Notably, the EIC has been involved in several transactions relevant to the optical laser manufacturing industry, such as funding rounds for Cailabs, a company specializing in laser communications, and Scintil Photonics, which focuses on photonics technology. These investments highlight the EIC's role in promoting advancements in optical laser technologies and its commitment to supporting companies in this field.


2. European Investment Bank (EIB)


The European Investment Bank (EIB) is a public entity based in Luxembourg, established in 1958, that provides a range of financial services including loans, equity investments, guarantees, and advisory services. EIB aims to support sustainable projects across various sectors, catering to both public and private organizations seeking funding for initiatives that promote growth and job creation. Notably, EIB has been involved in several transactions relevant to the optical laser manufacturing industry. For instance, it provided debt financing to TRUMPF, a leading manufacturer in the laser technology sector, raising over $57 million in February 2022. Additionally, EIB supported Norlase with debt financing of approximately $20.9 million in February 2025, further emphasizing its commitment to the optical laser field. Other transactions include funding for Brolis Sensor Technology, which also operates in the sensor technology space that can intersect with laser applications. These investments highlight EIB's active role in supporting companies that contribute to advancements in optical laser technology.


3. Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij (BOM)


The Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij (BOM) is a venture capital firm based in Tilburg, North Brabant, Netherlands, founded in 1983. BOM is dedicated to supporting startups and scale-ups in the Brabant region through various programs aimed at enhancing business growth, including readiness programs for venture capital and innovation in sustainable sectors. They provide funding, expertise, and networking opportunities to facilitate success in competitive markets. BOM has been involved in several notable transactions in the optical laser manufacturing context, including investments in EFFECT Photonics, which raised funds in multiple rounds (2015 and 2016) and focuses on photonic technologies, and SMART-Photonics, which raised significant debt financing in 2023. Their investment in inPhocal, a deeptech startup, also indicates their commitment to advancing technology in manufacturing processes, which may intersect with optical laser applications.


4. 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, particularly focusing on healthcare, life sciences, and advanced technology. M Ventures collaborates closely with entrepreneurs to drive innovation and growth in their portfolio companies. Among their notable transactions, M Ventures participated in the funding of Polaris Electro-Optics, a company specializing in integrated photonics products, and Metalenz, a startup focused on metasurface optics for 3D sensing solutions. These investments highlight M Ventures' engagement in the optical and photonics sectors, reinforcing their commitment to supporting advancements in technology that are relevant to optical laser manufacturing.


5. Innovation Industries


Innovation Industries is a venture capital firm based in Amsterdam, North Holland, 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 in various sectors, including industrial tech, med tech, and food & agri tech. In 2024, Innovation Industries has made 10 investments, showcasing their active role in the venture capital landscape. Notably, they have invested in SMART-Photonics, which raised over $44 million in debt financing in July 2023 and previously raised $39 million in a Series C round in June 2020. Additionally, they have been involved with EFFECT Photonics, which raised $38 million in a Series D round in March 2024 and $40 million in a venture round in March 2023. Their investment in EFFECT Photonics also included a significant Series C round in April 2021, aimed at developing single-chip coherent optics, further emphasizing their commitment to the optical laser manufacturing sector.


6. 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, founded in 2020, that focuses on financing sustainable and innovative projects in the Netherlands. They support entrepreneurs with promising plans for societal transitions, particularly in the energy and technology sectors. In 2023 and 2024, Invest-NL has been involved in several notable transactions within the optical laser manufacturing context. For instance, they participated in a debt financing round for SMART-Photonics, raising approximately $44.5 million, and they have been a key player in funding rounds for EFFECT Photonics, which raised $38 million in Series D and $40 million in a venture round. These investments highlight Invest-NL's commitment to supporting advancements in photonic technologies, which are crucial for optical laser manufacturing.


7. 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. imec.xpand leverages imec's expertise and infrastructure to help startups navigate their development and market challenges. Notably, imec.xpand has invested in MICLEDI Microdisplays, which raised $25 million in Series A funding for developing microLED displays, and Azalea Vision, which is working on smart contact lenses for light sensitivity. Additionally, they have invested in Swave Photonics, a company focused on photonic integrated circuits, which is directly relevant to optical technologies. These transactions highlight imec.xpand's commitment to fostering innovation in areas that overlap with optical laser manufacturing.


8. 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 the photonics sector, catering to various industries, including healthcare, telecommunications, and agriculture. Notably, they have been involved in significant transactions within the optical laser manufacturing context, such as providing funding to SMART Photonics, a Dutch foundry for photonic integrated circuits, which secured €100 million in funding, including a loan agreement of €3.75 million from PhotonDelta to scale up production. Additionally, they participated in a funding round for LioniX International, which is also engaged in photonic technologies. These activities highlight PhotonDelta's commitment to strengthening the integrated photonics ecosystem, making them a relevant player in the optical laser manufacturing industry.


9. Exor N.V.

  • Website: exor.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2009
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 26
  • LinkedIn: exor_2

Exor N.V. is a holding company based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 2009. It operates across various sectors, including automotive, healthcare, and media, and manages a diverse portfolio of companies such as Ferrari, Stellantis, and Philips. Exor focuses on enhancing value through strategic investments and operational support. In recent years, Exor has made significant investments in companies related to optical technologies, including DustPhotonics, which raised $24 million in a Series B funding round to scale production of its optical products for high-speed applications. Additionally, Exor's involvement in Earlens Corporation, which has developed a novel light-driven hearing aid, showcases their commitment to innovative optical solutions. These transactions highlight Exor's active role in the optical laser manufacturing context, making them a relevant investor in this field.


10. Noshaq

  • Website: noshaq.be
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Belgium
  • Founded year: 1985
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 11
  • LinkedIn: noshaq-be

Noshaq is a venture capital investment fund based in Belgium, founded in 1985. It focuses on providing financial solutions and strategic support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the province of Liege. Noshaq specializes in funding, project structuring, and business development, particularly in sectors such as biotech and sustainable development. Notably, Noshaq has been involved in significant transactions, including a €10 million investment in Lasea, a precision laser solutions company, which aims to drive international expansion and innovation in the optical laser manufacturing sector. This investment highlights Noshaq's engagement with the optical laser industry, alongside its other investments in various sectors.


11. Qbic Fund | Venture Capital

  • Website: qbic.be
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Ghent, Flanders, Belgium
  • Founded year: 2012
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 5
  • LinkedIn: qbic

Qbic Fund | Venture Capital is a venture capital fund based in Ghent, Flanders, Belgium, founded in 2012. The fund specializes in seed and early-stage investments in innovative companies across various sectors, with a focus on creating impact by transforming technological breakthroughs into sustainable businesses. Qbic supports its portfolio companies throughout their growth, particularly in biotechnology and technology sectors. Notably, Qbic has invested in Swave Photonics, which raised significant funding in multiple rounds, including a Series A round of $27,733,581 in January 2025 and a Seed round expansion that brought total funds raised to €10 million in June 2023. Additionally, Qbic was involved in funding Morrow Optics, further indicating its engagement in the optics and photonics space, which is closely related to optical laser manufacturing.


12. Cipio Partners

  • Website: cipiopartners.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Luxembourg
  • Founded year: 2003
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: cipio-partners

Cipio Partners is a venture capital firm based in Luxembourg, founded in 2003, specializing in European growth capital and minority buyouts for technology companies. They provide financial support and strategic guidance to help businesses scale and prepare for liquidity events. Their focus is primarily on technology firms with proven business models and significant revenue, particularly in the software and B2B sectors. Notably, Cipio Partners has participated in funding rounds for companies like MyOptique Group, an online optical retailer, and MicroOLED, a deeptech company involved in developing OLED solutions. These transactions highlight their engagement in the optical sector, suggesting a potential interest in optical technologies, including lasers.


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 (Limburgse Reconversie Maatschappij) is a venture capital investment company 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 to facilitate their development and innovation. LRM has been involved in various transactions, including significant investments in Silicon Line, which raised €8.2 million in a Series B funding round in 2018 and €6.3 million in a previous funding round in 2015. Silicon Line specializes in optical interconnect technology, which is relevant to the optical laser manufacturing industry. Other investments include Kriya Materials, Hammer-IMS, and Aerial Precision, showcasing LRM's diverse portfolio across different sectors.


14. PhotonVentures


PhotonVentures is a venture capital firm founded in 2023, located in Breukelen, Utrecht, Netherlands. The firm specializes in integrated photonics technology and invests in startups across various sectors, including Data & Telecom and Medical & Healthcare. PhotonVentures aims to provide capital and strategic guidance to help these startups grow in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Notably, they have participated in funding rounds for companies such as MantiSpectra, which focuses on semiconductor platforms, indicating their interest in deep-tech innovations that may relate to optical laser manufacturing. They also invested in vitrealab and Quantum Brilliance, further showcasing their commitment to supporting advanced technology ventures.


15. NewSpace Capital


NewSpace Capital is a private equity firm based in Luxembourg, founded in 2018, specializing in growth investments within the space industry. The firm focuses on deep-tech companies that address global challenges, providing both investment management and strategic support. NewSpace Capital has been actively involved in various market segments, including Earth observation and telecommunications, primarily catering to businesses in the space technology sector. Notably, they led a €26 million Series C funding round for Cailabs, an innovative photonics company that is expanding its laser communications and optical ground station business. This investment highlights NewSpace Capital's commitment to the optical laser manufacturing industry. Additionally, they participated in funding rounds for other companies like Simera Sense and FibreCoat, further demonstrating their active role in supporting technology-driven ventures.


16. DeepTechXL

  • Website: deeptechxl.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Eindhoven, North Brabant, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2021
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: deeptechxl

DeepTechXL is a venture capital firm based in Eindhoven, North Brabant, Netherlands, founded in 2021. The firm specializes in deep-tech investments, providing funding and support to startups in the technology sector to help them navigate challenges and accelerate their growth. DeepTechXL has a strong network and expertise in deep-tech, empowering entrepreneurs and driving innovation. Among their notable transactions, they led a seed funding round for SuperLight Photonics, a company developing a wideband laser for various measurement and detection applications, and invested in inPhocal, which raised €2M to increase production of its machines. Additionally, they participated in a Series A funding round for Delft Circuits, which focuses on upgrading production capacity, further showcasing their involvement in technology sectors that may intersect with optical laser manufacturing.


17. TKH Group

  • Website: tkhgroup.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Haaksbergen, Overijssel, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 1930
  • Headcount: 5001-10000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: tkh-group-n.v.

TKH Group is a corporate investor based in Haaksbergen, Overijssel, Netherlands, founded in 1930. The company specializes in innovative solutions for automation, digitalization, and electrification, providing smart vision, manufacturing, and connectivity systems across various sectors. In recent years, TKH Group has made several strategic acquisitions to enhance its portfolio in the vision technology sector. Notably, they acquired SVS-Vistek GmbH, a machine vision camera manufacturer, in September 2019, and Nerian Vision GmbH, which specializes in high-speed stereo vision systems, in July 2022. Most recently, in May 2023, they acquired Euresys, a company focused on machine vision and related technologies. These transactions highlight TKH Group's commitment to advancing technologies that are closely related to optical systems, making them a significant player in the optical laser manufacturing context.



Optical Laser Manufacturing Insights: Key Investors in Benelux


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
European Innovation Council (EIC)Brussels, Brussels, Belgium201-500195857
European Investment Bank (EIB)Luxembourg1001-5000195899
Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij (BOM)Tilburg, North Brabant, Netherlands51-200198310
M VenturesAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands11-50200918
Innovation IndustriesAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands11-50201710
Invest-NLAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands51-200202017
imec.xpandLeuven, Flanders, Belgium1-1020175
PhotonDeltaEindhoven, North Brabant, Netherlands11-5020181
Exor N.V.Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands11-50200926
NoshaqBelgium11-50198511
Qbic Fund | Venture CapitalGhent, Flanders, Belgium1-1020125
Cipio PartnersLuxembourg11-5020032
LrmHasselt, Flanders, Belgium51-20019941
PhotonVenturesBreukelen, Utrecht, Netherlands1-1020230
NewSpace CapitalLuxembourg11-5020183
DeepTechXLEindhoven, North Brabant, Netherlands1-1020211
TKH GroupHaaksbergen, Overijssel, Netherlands5001-1000019301


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