Dutch deeptech company Morphotonics has announced it has raised €40 million in an extended funding round. The investment, backed by firms including 3M Ventures, Innovation Industries, BOM, and Invest-NL, will support the company's efforts to scale up production and expand into the data centre market.
Morphotonics specialises in nanoimprint lithography (NIL), a process used to manufacture displays for augmented reality (AR) glasses and other optical components. The company has spent 12 years developing this technology, which creates displays by applying a "stamp" to photosensitive materials.
While smart glasses are currently the most in-demand application for its technology, Morphotonics plans to push into co-packaged optics for data centres. This involves using Photonic Integrated Circuits to move data between servers and network equipment.
The latest fundraising is part of a round that began in 2024. Morphotonics has used the funds to increase its headcount from approximately 30 in September 2024 to 60 employees, with plans to stabilise at 70 to 75 people. The company's CEO, Hugo Da Silva, stated that its next machine, currently under construction, is expected to produce over 6 million waveguides annually and begin shipping early next year.