Name

Phantom Photonics

Legal name

Phantom Photonics Inc.

Website

https://phantomphotonics.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Quantum Photonic Sensors

NAICS

Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827)

akta.pro primary industry

Quantum Photonics & Quantum Imaging (Single-Photon, Lidar, Ghost Imaging) (HDAGAHAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Quantum Sensor Components & Subsystems (Lasers, Vacuum, Photonics, Diamond/NV, MEMS) (HDAGAHAM), LiDAR & 3D Sensing Modules (HDAHALAG), Quantum Spectroscopy & Chemical/Biological Sensing (HDAGAHAH)

Keywords

• Quantum LiDAR sensors
• Photonics remote sensing
• Single photon detection
• Quantum coherence imaging
• Underwater optical sensing

Headquarters

HQ city

Waterloo

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Quantum Sensor Hardware Sales: Sale of specialized quantum sensors for defense and civilian applications including imaging, communications, and spectroscopy systems.
2. Technology Licensing: Patent-pending quantum coherence technology with potential for licensing to defense contractors and technology companies.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Phantom Photonics designs, manufactures, and sells quantum coherence-based photonic sensor systems for remote sensing in extreme environments. Its core product is a quantum LiDAR that uses single-photon detection to achieve 10–100x the operational range of classical LiDAR, with application-specific modules for 3D imaging, secure optical communications (anti-blinding), and quantum spectroscopy for undersea asset monitoring. The company primarily serves defense, government, and — in the longer term — civilian customers such as industrial robotics.

Product overview

Phantom Photonics offers a unified portfolio of quantum sensing products centered on patent-pending quantum coherence technology for 3D remote sensing. The core product is a quantum LiDAR system that integrates three application-specific modules: quantum-based imaging for stealth 3D mapping, advanced optical communications with anti-blinding attack protection, and spectroscopy for undersea asset monitoring. These products share the foundational quantum coherence technology that enables single-photon detection, extreme noise resilience, and covert operation capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Quantum LiDAR (3D Remote Sensing) Quantum-enhanced LiDAR system that uses single-photon detection to achieve 10-100x longer operational range than classical LiDAR, capable of detecting signals even when only one photon returns from the scene; serves defense agencies and other customers needing remote sensing in extreme environments including space, underwater, and ultra-long distance applications.
• Quantum Imaging Quantum imaging module that provides unmatched noise resilience for extended operational distances and supports 3D imaging as well as non-line-of-sight imaging in challenging environments including space, underwater, and ultra-long distance applications; targeted at defense and civilian customers requiring high-fidelity remote imaging.
• Optical Communications Secure optical communication system using time-binning quantum techniques that is impervious to adversarial disabling, commonly known as blinding attacks, providing matched security for defense and civilian applications.
• Quantum Spectroscopy Specialized quantum spectroscopic sensors for undersea asset monitoring with breakthrough capabilities for both defense and civilian applications, applicable to aquatic, airborne, terrestrial, and outer space environments.
• Marine Sensor Network Distributed marine sensor network based on Phantom Photonics' quantum coherence sensing technology, intended for undersea asset monitoring and proof-of-capability demonstration in defense and civilian maritime applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10-100x longer operational range than classical LiDAR
• +1 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• NATO DIANAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhantom Photonics is a NATO DIANA company, providing access to defense innovation programs and credibility within the NATO defense ecosystem. This partnership enables engagement with NATO member nations' defense agencies.
• University of WaterloocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpinout company originating from the University of Waterloo's Quantum Photonics Lab at the Institute for Quantum Computing. The university continues as a key innovation partner providing research talent and facilities.
• Institute for Quantum ComputingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology developed at the Institute for Quantum Computing where co-founders Alex Maierean, Dr. Shihan Sajeed, and Prof. Thomas Jennewein developed the quantum 3D remote sensing technology.
• Creative Destruction Lab (CDL)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupported by CDL, a nonprofit venture program for massively scalable, science-based companies.
• QuantacetsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Quantacet, the UK's Quantum Technology Hub for Advanced Sensors and Quantum Imaging.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Voyant Photonics: Chip-scale silicon photonics LiDAR company building FMCW-based 3D sensors. Directly comparable to Phantom Photonics in technology category (photonic LiDAR) and product positioning, though focused on smaller-scale industrial/consumer applications rather than extreme-environment defense.
• Scantinel Photonics: German FMCW LiDAR company focused on long-range automotive and industrial sensing. Closely comparable to Phantom on photonic LiDAR architecture and long-range performance targets, though focused on mobility rather than defense/space.
• ID Quantique: Swiss quantum photonics company specializing in quantum cryptography, quantum random number generation, and quantum sensing products. Comparable to Phantom through the overlap in single-photon detection and quantum optics IP, with commercial products already in market.
• Single Quantum: Dutch manufacturer of single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) that are core components in quantum photonic systems. Directly comparable as a peer in the quantum photonics component ecosystem that Phantom Photonics relies upon, with established commercial sales.

Emerging players

• Q-CTRL: Australian quantum technology company providing quantum control software for computing and sensing applications. Adjacent to Phantom through shared quantum sensing market, though software-focused rather than hardware; both target defense/government customers with quantum solutions.
• Quantum Computing Inc. US-based quantum technology company building quantum sensing, communications, and computing products. Comparable through overlap in quantum LiDAR/sensing technology and defense/government customer base, with active M&A to consolidate IP.

Broad incumbents

• Honeywell (Quantum): Diversified industrial and aerospace conglomerate with a quantum sensing and computing division (formerly Honeywell Quantum Solutions). A broad incumbent with deep defense customer relationships and quantum sensing R&D that competes for the same defense procurement budgets as Phantom.
• L3Harris Technologies: Major US defense prime with extensive electro-optic, infrared, and LiDAR sensor product lines for defense and intelligence customers. Overlaps with Phantom in defense sensing end markets and may pursue internally developed or acquired quantum sensing capability.
• Lockheed Martin: Largest US defense prime with active investments in quantum sensing technologies, including navigation and underwater sensing programs. Comparable as both a customer and a potential competitor for defense sensing budgets; meaningfully larger R&D and capital resources.
• Teledyne Technologies: Diversified industrial conglomerate with defense, marine, and photonics sensor businesses including FLIR and Teledyne Optech. Provides both photonic components and finished defense/scientific sensing systems that compete for similar defense and civilian sensor budgets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 Phantom Photonics