Since the beginning of 2023, the EIC Tech to Market Venture Building Programme has been supporting EIC Pathfinder and Transition beneficiaries in transforming their research results into successful deep-tech startups. The Programme provides tailored support, according to each project’s needs, through 4 main phases - Tech Demo Days, Opportunities’ exploration, Team creation and Venture support services.
We had the opportunity to speak with Sonia Garcia Blanco, Professor at the University of Twente and Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of ALUVia Photonics, a spin-off from the EIC Transition project ALUVia. Sonia and her team joined the Programme in May 2023, having been involved in the 4 phases of the programme, they are currently wrapping up the last phase, receiving Venture support services. ALUVia’s technology brings a new horizon to the photonics’ market with the establishment of the first European Al2O3-on-SiO2 (aluminum oxide on silicon dioxide) photonic integrated circuits (PICs) for operation in the ultraviolet (UV) wavelength region. This novelty technology can highly contribute, for example, to energy efficiency and increasing speed and capacity, and it can be used for high power requirements. Keep reading to dive into ALUVia’s journey towards commercialization!
Can you briefly introduce your project/start-up and its mission?
The ALUVia project has as objective to mature the Al2O3 technology to the level that can be offered commercially by means of a spin-off company. To demonstrate the capabilities of the technology two demonstrators are developed in the project. The first one is a photonic integrated circuit for ion trap quantum computing and the second one is an on-chip UV- Raman spectrometer for the monitoring of bio processes in-situ. The first demonstrator is developed in collaboration with the group of prof. Home, from ETZ Zurich and the second one with InSpek. From the ALUVia project, the spin-off ALUVIA Photonics was founded and has started the commercialization of the technology developed in the EIC Transition project.
What problem does your solution address and why is it important?
The Al2O3 integrated photonic platform the we are developing has several advantages: (1) a very broad band operating window extending from the ultraviolet (200 nm) and into the mid-IR (3 mm); (2) high linearity and power handling and (3) possibility of doping with rare-earth ions and provide high performance amplification in different wavelength ban ds, such as the O-band, the C and L bands and the 1.8-2 mm band.
What impact do you expect your technology to have on your target market or industry?
The Al2O3 technology can have a huge impact in markets such as quantum technology, telecom, datacom/AI and spectroscopy/microscopy, where the unique advantages of the technology enable miniaturization of the systems not possible before.
What specific challenges did you face during the development of your product, and how did the Programme help you overcome them?
The EIC Tech to Market Venture Building Programme has been extremely supportive on the development of ALUVIA Photonics from the funding of the company. We participated in the Programme, which supported us in the definition of our business model, on the IP strategy and freedom to operate, on the search of a CEO for the company through the entrepreneur in residence support on the Team Creation phase, market support and HR advice. The support received was key to the development of ALUVIA in such early stage, where a starting company does not have enough resources nor knowledge.
Can you share some concrete actions or milestones achieved during your participation in the Programme?
The Programme helped us in successfully hiring a CEO for the start-up.
How has the collaboration with the Venture Building team and mentors influenced your business strategy?
We received a large amount of advice that contributed to the current business model and positioning of ALUVIA.
What resources or support from the Programme were most valuable to your start-up?
All the support that we received was extremely valuable. The entrepreneur in residence support was maybe the most valuable and key for our progress.
What are your future plans for the product/solution and your startup?
In the first year and a half of the startup, we have advanced in completing the core team and refined our business plan and market strategy. We have also gone a long way in the maturation of the technology thanks to the EIC Transition project resources. The next step is to position ourselves for scaling up to be ready to respond to the market needs that we have identified. For this next phase, extra funding will be required.
If you had to summarise your experience in the EIC Tech to Market Venture Building Programme in 2 words, what would they be?
Extremely useful!
Check a summary of the interview in video, here!
About the EIC Tech to Market (T2M) Venture Building Programme
The EIC Tech to Market Venture Building Programme aims to help build start-ups to exploit promising research results through venture building services, comprising a range of activities from identification of promising business ideas to venture creation and development.
Need help?
For additional information, please refer to our helpdesk by choosing “EIC T2M Venture Building Programme” as the subject.
DISCLAIMER: This information is provided in the interest of knowledge sharing and should not be interpreted as the official view of the European Commission, or any other organisation.