Photonics, one of the key technologies of our century
Photonics has become an integral part of our everyday lives, covers a wide range of applications and holds considerable potential for innovation that has been strongly underlined by the European Union, which has identified photonics as one of the six key technologies of the 21st century. France boasts a thriving photonics sector, accounting for 84 000 jobs, and is expected to grow by around 150 000 jobs nationwide by 2030. The French ecosystem includes 300 fundamental and applied research laboratories and more than 1 200 companies, 80% of which are SMEs, with a combined turnover of around €20 billion, 50% of which comes from exports, in a global market worth €615 billion.
Focus on the AKTANTIS photonics ecosystem
AKTANTIS added photonics to its activities in 2024, with the aim of bringing together expertise and networks to strengthen the impact of digital technologies in the region. The synergy of technological expertise within the cluster creates opportunities for cluster companies to access new markets more easily through expanded networks and strengthened partnerships. Greater integration of technologies within a single structure means that R&D resources can be pooled, encouraging the development of new photonics technologies and their application in different sectors.
AKTANTIS brings together an ecosystem of 100 photonics players, 80% of which are start-ups and SMEs, as well as world-renowned groups such as BERTIN Technologies, Magellium, First Light Imaging, Exavision, PellencST, ESSILOR, NEXVISION, STIL and CILAS. This concentrated ecosystem features 13 fundamental and applied research laboratories and university institutes (representing 16 research teams and more than 400 researchers1) with a range of expertise going from materials to imaging and fundamental physics. In addition to these structures, there are application research centres in the aeronautics, space and agriculture sectors, bringing the total number of partner laboratories to around forty. Finally, training is also well represented, with 12 training courses in photonics/imaging offered by 3 universities and 1 engineering school (Université Côte d’Azur, Université de Toulon, Aix-Marseille Université et Centrale Méditerranée)2.
AKTANTIS' commitment to photonics extends beyond simply bringing players together. The cluster actively shapes the future of the sector through initiatives like the Photonics Working Group, which brings together key players of the ecosystem to tackle industry challenges and technological barriers; the development of a strategic Photonics Roadmap; and comprehensive mapping of regional research and training centers. AKTANTIS is also involved in a number of flagship initiatives at regional, national and European level, such as innovation and funding programmes (including the National Defence Policy, France 2030, EDIHs, etc.) and networks of photonics players (Photonics France, Photonics France, réseau EPIC, Photonics21, Consortium Pad’Occ en Occitanie).
AKTANTIS is also active at the European level with its participation to PhotonHub Europe. This European project brings together 53 European partners and aims to create a European Photonics Innovation Hub to support and accelerate the deployment and adoption of photonics. It particularly targets “non-photonics” SMEs, start-ups and Large European groups, that are interested in using photonics to innovate in one of the following application markets: Agri-Food, Energy, Digital Infrastructures, Mobility, Health, Manufacturing, Security/Smart Cities, Space/Defence. The project also offers business coaching, investment matchmaking and a wide range of online and on-site training (at one of the consortium's 50 demonstration and experimental centres).
Discover how PhotonHub Europe can support you
PROTOTYPE LEVEL
SMEs: first €30k of innovation project budget fully subsidised; 75% of total budget subsidised thereafter*
Large-Scale Companies: 50% of total budget subsidised*
*Up to a maximum subsidised amount of €100k per prototyping project
UPSCALING LEVEL
SMEs: 85% of total budget subsidised**
Large-Scale Companies: 50% of total budget subsidised**
**Up to a maximum subsidised amount of €250k per prototyping project
The integration of photonics and imaging into the activities of AKTANTIS is a major step towards strengthening the region's technological leadership. By connecting key players, fostering collaboration and supporting innovation, AKTANTIS is not only strengthening the photonics ecosystem in the South of France, but also contributing to the advancement of this technology on a national and European level. The cluster's involvement in initiatives such as PhotonHub Europe underlines its commitment to accelerating the adoption of photonics and unlocking its transformative potential across multiple industries.
¹In the Provence-Alpes-Côtes d’Azur region. The mapping of research laboratories in the Occitanie region will be completed in 2025-2026.
²In the Provence-Alpes Côte d’Azur region. The mapping of training courses for the Occitanie region will be completed in 2025-2026.
Our strategic partners
Key partners extend our technology stack with components of software, hardware and connectivity. In addition, there are collaborations with research, the public sector, start-ups and users.
