LioniX International

What LioniX International does

LioniX International B.V. is a Dutch private company headquartered in Enschede, Netherlands, founded in 2016 from the combination of LioniX B.V., SATRAX B.V., and XiO Photonics B.V., with technology roots dating to 2001. The company designs and manufactures customized microsystem solutions based on photonic integrated circuits (PIC) and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), built around its proprietary TriPleX silicon nitride waveguide platform. TriPleX delivers ultra-low propagation loss across an unusually broad spectral range (405–2350 nm) and supports ultra-tight bend radii (125 µm), enabling very-large-scale integration on chip and unique hybrid InP/Si3N4 integration that has produced record-setting 290 Hz intrinsic linewidth tunable lasers.

The company operates a vertically integrated model spanning custom PIC design, Multi Project Wafer (MPW) foundry services at 1550 nm and 850 nm, MEMS process development and fabrication (DRIE, LPCVD, PECVD, wafer bonding, lithography), and module-level assembly through its majority-owned subsidiary PHIX Photonics Assembly. Customers are OEM system integrators and government/research entities in defense and aerospace (Lockheed Martin REMBRANDT program, NLR), life sciences and biosensing (Surfix, Evonetix, ThermoFisher, MBARI), process instrumentation (Bronkhorst), and telecom/datacom. The go-to-market is relationship-driven direct enterprise field sales with long technical sales cycles, complemented by content marketing, conference presence (OFC, Photonics West, IEEE MEMS, ECOC), and EU-funded R&D project partnerships.

Revenue is generated through custom design-and-build contracts, MPW run participation, and engineering/process development services, with quote-based pricing. Capital structure reflects a strategic 2018 acquisition by Korean LED manufacturer Magic Micro Co. Ltd, followed by €3.5M growth equity in January 2023 from Invest-NL and FORWARD.one and a €1.5M OostNL bridge facility in July 2024. The company employs nearly 70 people and announced relocation to a new purpose-built Enschede facility in December 2024 to support rising demand.

Name

LioniX International

Legal name

LioniX International B.V.

Website

https://lionix-international.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

LioniX International is a Dutch vertically integrated provider of customized photonic integrated circuit and MEMS microsystem solutions based on its proprietary TriPleX silicon nitride waveguide platform, serving OEM and government customers in defense, telecom, life sciences, and metrology.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Photonic Integrated Circuits

NAICS

Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing (33441), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)

SIC

Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)

akta.pro primary industry

Optoelectronics & Photonics (LED/Laser/Optical ICs) (HDAHAAAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sensor Fusion, Interface ICs & Modules (AFE/Readout/Packaging/Calibration) (HDAHALAO), Sensors, MEMS & Imaging ICs (HDAHAAAG), Custom/ASIC & Foundry-Adjacent IDM Services (HDAHAAAL), System-in-Package (SiP) & Module Assembly (RF modules, power modules) (HDAHADAI)

Keywords

• Photonic integrated circuits
• Custom MEMS development
• Silicon nitride waveguides
• Multi project wafer services
• Microsystem solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Enschede

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Custom PIC and MEMS Solutions: Provides customized microsystem solutions for OEMs and system integrators through vertical integration from design to fully assembled modules. Revenue generated from custom product development and manufacturing services.
2. Multi Project Wafer (MPW) Services: Offers scheduled MPW runs in TriPleX technology allowing multiple customers to share wafer fabrication costs. Enables low-cost access to photonic integrated circuit technology for design prototyping and small volume production.
3. Process Development Services: Engineering services for MEMS process development and photonic IC design support. Includes design rule checking, layout verification, and process design kit (PDK) with validated building blocks.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

LioniX International designs, manufactures, and assembles customized microsystem solutions centered on photonic integrated circuits (PIC) and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) using its proprietary TriPleX silicon nitride waveguide platform. The company provides vertically integrated services spanning PIC design, multi-project wafer (MPW) foundry runs, hybrid integration with active components such as InP gain sections, and fully packaged PIC modules for OEMs and system integrators across telecom, defense, life science, and metrology sectors.

Product overview

LioniX International is a vertically integrated microsystem solutions provider specializing in photonic integrated circuits (PIC) and custom MEMS. The core offering centers on the proprietary TriPleX® silicon nitride waveguide platform, which enables ultra-low loss PICs across a broad spectral range (405-2350 nm). The product portfolio spans: (1) TriPleX® waveguide technology as the foundational platform; (2) PIC Development services including design, MPW services (1550nm and 850nm wavelengths), and hybrid integration with InP components; (3) finished PIC products including ultra-narrow linewidth tunable lasers (290 Hz linewidth capability), OCT modules, photonic biosensors, integrated microwave photonics, quantum photonics, and optical phased arrays; (4) RGB laser light engine for AR/VR applications; (5) Custom MEMS development, fabrication, and specialized MEMS solutions for sensing, BioMEMS, and optofluidics. All offerings are delivered through vertical integration from design through fully assembled modules.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TriPleX: Proprietary silicon nitride waveguide technology platform offering ultra-low loss waveguides across a broad spectral range (405-2350nm).

Products and services

• TriPleX Silicon Nitride Waveguides Proprietary stoichiometric silicon nitride waveguide technology with ultra-low propagation loss operating across a broad spectral range (405-2350 nm), enabling dense on-chip integration with bend radii as small as 125 microns. Sold as the foundational photonic platform to OEMs and system integrators.
• Photonic Integrated Circuit (PIC) Development Full-service custom photonic IC design from concept through production, including design rule checking, layout verification, PDK building blocks, and hybrid integration with active components such as InP gain sections. Delivered to OEM and system integrator customers.
• Multi Project Wafer (MPW) Services Scheduled MPW runs in TriPleX silicon nitride technology that allow multiple customers to share wafer fabrication costs for prototyping and small-volume production, offered at 1550 nm and 850 nm wavelengths. Customers book MPW spots via the company website.
• Ultra-Narrow Linewidth Tunable Laser Hybrid integrated external cavity laser combining an InP gain section with a TriPleX PIC tunable reflector, achieving linewidths as narrow as 290 Hz and broadband tuning across 81 nm at 1550 nm. Targeted at optical communications, spectroscopy, and sensing OEMs.
• Photonic IC Modules and Assembly Vertical integration service covering photonic IC assembly, packaging, and module development, including hybrid integration of multiple PIC platforms (InP, SiN, SOI) into functional modules delivered to OEM customers.
• Custom MEMS Development and Production Custom microelectromechanical systems development and fabrication including Deep Reactive Ion Etching, wafer bonding, LPCVD, PECVD, photolithography, wet etching, evaporation, sputtering, and oxidation services for optical MEMS, sensors, and BioMEMS applications.
• Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) Modules PIC-based OCT systems offering compact, robust, and cost-effective solutions for medical imaging applications, utilizing visible-light optimized TriPleX technology for life science OEMs.
• Photonic Biosensors Integrated photonic sensors for bio-sensing applications, leveraging TriPleX platform integration with microfluidic approaches and surface functionalization for lab-on-a-chip and flow chemistry, targeted at diagnostics and life science customers.
• Integrated Microwave Photonics High-frequency signal processing (1-100 GHz) on photonic integrated circuits providing advantages in performance, size, weight, and power consumption for telecom beamforming, radar, and satcom applications.
• RGB Laser Light Engine for AR/VR Integrated RGB laser light engine designed for retinal projection augmented reality headsets, enabling compact and efficient light delivery systems for AR/VR device OEMs.
• Optical Phased Arrays PIC-based optical beam steering technology for LiDAR and communication applications, enabling electronic beamforming without moving parts for automotive, sensing, and telecom customers.
• Quantum Photonics PIC solutions for quantum computing and quantum communication applications, including single photon generation and manipulation using TriPleX technology for quantum research customers.
• MEMS Solutions Portfolio Application-specific MEMS products including anemometric gas flow sensors (Bronkhorst), ESA Life Marker Chip, DNA synthesis platforms (Evonetix), pH sensors with ISFET chips (Microsens, MBARI deep sea), conductivity sensors (Onset), TEM membranes (PerfectEdge), CIPT probes (SmartTip), SEM specimen heating holders (ThermoFisher), and microfluidic optical cavities (University of Strasbourg).

Quantifiable outcome

• 290 Hz intrinsic linewidth from integrated optical chip-based widely tunable InP-Si3N4 hybrid laser with 81 nm spectral coverage at 1550 nm (world record)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.

• Lockheed MartinmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 November 2024REMBRANDT project collaboration under Lockheed Martin's Industrial Participation Program. LioniX and NLR develop novel microwave photonic integrated circuit technology for space and defence applications with advantages in bandwidth and reconfigurability.
• Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 November 2024Collaboration with LioniX International and Lockheed Martin on REMBRANDT project for microwave photonic solutions. NLR contributes aerospace and space technology expertise for verification tests and environmental requirements.
• SurfixcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 May 2021Biosensing partner that announced €8.5M investment to accelerate rapid diagnostics platform using LioniX International biochips for early disease detection. LioniX supplies photonic biochips for the platform.
• PHIX Photonics AssemblycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 July 2018LioniX International obtained majority share in PHIX Photonics Assembly. This strategic investment strengthens vertical integration position for high-volume PIC module assembly. PHIX focuses on hybrid integration of different PIC platforms.
• Institute of Microelectronics Chinese Academy of Science (IMECAS)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 January 2018Collaboration to strengthen PIC platform offerings by actively supporting and offering both platforms. LioniX can offer SOI functionality while IMECAS gains access to TriPleX low-loss waveguide technology, enabling global customers easier access to both platforms.
• Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute (HHI)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 July 2017Strengthened collaboration between PIC platforms combining InP (HHI) and Si3N4 (LioniX) technologies. Enables new applications in telecom, datacom, bio-photonics, sensing, and metrology. Demonstrated world-record ultra-low linewidth lasers (290 Hz).
• PhotonDeltamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLioniX is part of PhotonDelta's €1.1 billion integrated photonics initiative portfolio. PhotonDelta leads the Netherlands' strategic market mission to build global leadership in photonic chips, providing funding and ecosystem support.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• STMicroelectronics MEMS and Sensors Group: Global semiconductor IDM with large-scale MEMS and photonic sensor production capabilities. Overlaps with LioniX's custom MEMS and sensor product lines (gas flow, BioMEMS, ISFET) at significantly higher volume and broader portfolio.
• Lumentum: Large US-based photonic components and laser company serving telecom, datacom, 3D sensing and life sciences. Comparable in offering tunable lasers, photonic modules and sensing components to overlapping end customers, but at much larger scale and broader portfolio.

Direct peers

• VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland: European research-to-commercial photonics and MEMS foundry offering custom PIC and MEMS development and MPW services. Overlaps LioniX in offering vertically integrated design-to-fabrication photonics services to European research and industry customers.
• IHP - Leibniz Institute for High Performance Microelectronics: German research foundry offering silicon photonics, BiCMOS and MEMS prototyping services. Comparable as a European research-driven photonic/MEMS foundry providing MPW and custom process development to academic and industrial customers.
• X-FAB Silicon Foundries: European specialty foundry providing MEMS, photonics (Si-photonics) and analog/mixed-signal production. Comparable as a MEMS and photonic foundry offering both wafer-level process development and volume manufacturing for OEM customers.
• Effect Photonics: Dutch integrated tunable laser and coherent optical module company also part of the PhotonDelta ecosystem. Comparable as a TriPleX/InP-based photonic module developer serving telecom with integrated narrow-linewidth laser products, overlapping LioniX's tunable laser roadmap.
• AIM Photonics: US-based integrated photonics manufacturing institute offering MPW and foundry services for silicon photonics PICs. Directly comparable as a PIC foundry serving defense, telecom and sensing customers with a process design kit and design services model.
• SMART Photonics: Dutch InP-based PIC foundry offering MPW, design services and process design kits. Closest direct European competitor to LioniX's TriPleX foundry, also part of the PhotonDelta ecosystem and serving telecom/datacom and sensing markets.
• CompoundTek: Singapore-based silicon photonics foundry offering MPW runs and custom PIC fabrication. Comparable as an independent PIC foundry targeting OEMs with prototyping-to-volume services in a similar business model to LioniX.

Emerging players

• PHIX Photonics Assembly: PIC packaging and hybrid integration specialist; majority-owned subsidiary of LioniX International. Comparable as a sister/ecosystem player providing module assembly services used by LioniX and other PIC platform vendors.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@LioniXInternational
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lionix-international
• Xx.com/LioniX_INT

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors5 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about LioniX International