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Digital Catapult has welcomed the launch of the Northern Ireland Photonics Innovation Cluster during the Day of Photonics 2025 as the new initiative aims to drive the practical application of photonics innovation in the region. Digital Catapult will support the Innovation Cluster to equip the UK to be future ready by exploring the strategic value of photonics with industry, academia and government in Northern Ireland.
The Northern Ireland Photonics Innovation Cluster (NI-PIC) is an industry-led initiative established to strengthen and grow the region’s photonics sector. Bringing together a wide range of stakeholders from across Northern Ireland, NI-PIC provides a collaborative platform to accelerate innovation and commercialisation in photonics industries. By supporting knowledge exchange and skills development and fostering collaboration across academia and research, NI-PIC is helping to position Northern Ireland as a global leader in photonics innovation.
Digital Catapult is a pioneer of practical photonics innovation in the UK, exploring applications ranging from advanced manufacturing and healthcare, to agritech and energy through partnerships with industry leaders to develop and deploy new solutions. Interventions have considered how photonics innovation can drive industrial supply chain resilience and support decarbonisation efforts, as well as convening capabilities between academic institutions, large businesses and leading photonics innovators.
Smart Nano NI, led by Seagate Technology and delivered by Digital Catapult in collaboration with a range of partners, has accelerated Northern Ireland’s ambition to be a driving force in photonics innovation. The Day of Photonics 2025 showcased the impact of Northern Ireland’s contribution towards global photonics developments. Matrix, the Northern Ireland Science Industry Panel, shared its latest findings on the regional context, while industry and research leaders highlighted the practical applications of photonics technologies and the potential to address pressing industrial challenges.
The event provided a platform for Smart Nano NI to share its progress in building advanced prototyping and smart manufacturing capabilities. Building on this momentum, Digital Catapult hosted its first Integrated Photonics Bootcamp in collaboration with Smart Nano NI and supported by Light Trace Photonics. The interactive introduced engineers, startups and technologists to integrated photonics, covering topics such as photonic integrated circuits, insertion loss, polarisation, thermo-optic phase shifting and validation processes. Through expert-led sessions and hands-on training, participants gained foundational skills to design, test and apply photonic systems, while connecting with Smart Nano NI and discovering how photonic chips can unlock new commercial opportunities and solve industrial challenges.
The success of Day of Photonics 2025 and the launch of NI-PIC emphasise Northern Ireland’s growing ambition to establish itself as a hub for photonics and deep tech. With Digital Catapult at the centre of this journey, convening expertise and accelerating adoption, the region is laying the groundwork for innovation-led growth, stronger supply chains and greater global impact.
Find out more about the Northern Ireland Photonics Innovation Cluster here and Smart Nano NI here.
