VI Systems

What VI Systems does

VI Systems GmbH (VIS), founded in 2006 and headquartered in Berlin, Germany (Hardenbergstr. 7, 10623 Berlin), is a privately held fabless developer and marketer of optoelectronic components for optical communication and sensor applications. The company builds, characterizes, and markets vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs), PIN photodetectors, SiGe BiCMOS high-speed drivers and amplifiers, and fiber-coupled optical transmitter modules operating at 840-960nm wavelengths with data rates from 25 Gbps up to 224 Gbps per channel. Core technology includes electrically driven multi-aperture (MA) VCSELs with coupled oxide-confined apertures enabling self-injection locking — a proprietary architecture supporting modulation bandwidths up to 50-75 GHz and demonstrated achievements including 75GHz record modulation, 224 Gbps single-channel transmission, and 400m OM4 multimode fiber reach at 100G. The product portfolio is protected by 32 granted US patents (plus 2 pending) covering VCSEL designs, micropillar lasers, electrooptic modulators, and optical interconnect methods.

The company operates a vertically integrated fabless model: design and IP development in-house, manufacturing through partner foundries, with in-house characterization facilities supporting near/far-field analysis, high-frequency testing up to 128 Gb/s, wafer-level automated inspection, and 3D device modeling. Revenue comes from hardware sales of chips and modules, custom design and prototyping services, wafer-level characterization services, and licensing royalties from the patent estate. Primary served segments are data center and HPC operators (rack-to-rack optical interconnects, AI compute cluster connectivity, 400G Ethernet), telecom equipment vendors (5G fronthaul, FTTX), automotive and industrial sensing (high-temperature VCSELs up to 125°C), and optical sensing/healthcare/short-range optical wireless applications. Distribution is handled through a network of regional sales partners in China (OHSAR), Taiwan (Yusunid International), Japan (Hikari Inc.), South Korea (Enerteks), and Israel (Bitel Technologies), supplemented by direct sales. Disclosed named relationships are predominantly academic research collaborations — Technical University of Berlin, Warsaw University of Technology, TU Denmark, TU Dresden, Ruhr University Bochum, Politecnico di Torino, and Esslingen University — with no commercial OEM customers publicly identified.

VI Systems is led by a small senior team: CEO and co-founder Prof. Dr. Nikolay N. Ledentsov (formerly professor at TU Berlin, IEEE Senior Member, 1000+ publications, 40 US patents), CSO and co-founder Dr. Vitaly A. Shchukin (200+ papers, 15 patents, former Principal Scientist at NL-Nanosemiconductor/Innolume), Director of Integration Technologies and Packaging Dr. Joerg-R. Kropp (40+ patent families from Siemens/Infineon), and Director of Operations Ljudmila von Berg (former McKinsey). The company's only disclosed external capital event is a nearly €2 million Horizon 2020 SME Instrument grant awarded in June 2015 for the PhotoniX project; no venture or private equity funding is disclosed. It has received multiple industry recognitions including the EUREKA Label (2018), inclusion of CEO Ledentsov in The Photonics100 (2026), and a Company of the Year Awards Germany 2026 recognition in the optical communication components category.

Name

VI Systems

Legal name

VI Systems GmbH

Website

https://v-i-systems.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

VI Systems GmbH is a Berlin-based fabless developer and manufacturer of optoelectronic components — including VCSELs, PIN photodetectors, SiGe BiCMOS driver ICs, and fiber-coupled modules — serving data center, HPC, telecom, automotive sensing, and optical wireless markets with data rates up to 224 Gbps per channel.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Optical Communication Components

SIC

Communications Equipment, Nec (3669), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827), Electronic Components, Nec (3679)

akta.pro primary industry

Optoelectronic Emitters (LED/Laser/VCSEL) (HDAHALAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Optoelectronic Receivers & Transceivers (Photodetectors/Optical Modules) (HDAHALAM), Photodiodes & Discrete Photodetectors (HDAHAHAL), Amplifiers & Comparators (HDAHAIAC)

Keywords

• VCSEL components
• Optical communication chips
• Photodetector devices
• High-speed optical interconnects
• Fiber optic modules

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. VCSEL Components and Chips: Sale of vertical cavity surface-emitting laser chips and arrays at wavelengths from 840-960nm for data communications, sensing, and automotive applications
2. PIN Photodetectors: Sale of large aperture PIN photodetectors with 70GHz optical modulation bandwidth, Telcordia-qualified products
3. Optical Modules and Transceivers: Fiber-coupled transmitter modules (e.g., VM64-850M, V50-850M) for high-speed optical transmission
4. SiGe VCSEL Drivers and Amplifiers: High-speed SiGe BiCMOS driver and amplifier electronics for VCSEL-based optical links
5. Custom Development and Prototyping: Custom design, prototyping, and technology transfer services for optical components and subsystems
6. Wafer Testing and Characterization Services: High-speed characterization services on wafer level including nearfield/farfield analysis, high frequency testing up to 45GHz, and data transmission experiments up to 64 Gbit/s
7. Licensing Royalties: IP licensing through 32 granted patents covering VCSEL technology, micropillar lasers, and optical interconnect innovations

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

VI Systems develops, manufactures and markets optoelectronic components — vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs), PIN photodetectors, SiGe BiCMOS driver/amplifier integrated circuits, and fiber-coupled optical transmitter modules — targeting data rates beyond 100–224 Gbps per channel for optical communication, sensing and automotive applications. The company complements its product portfolio with design, characterization, modeling, and technology transfer services.

Product overview

VI Systems GmbH (VIS) is a fabless developer and manufacturer of optoelectronic components for optical communication and sensor applications. The product portfolio includes Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers (VCSELs), PIN photodetectors, high-speed integrated circuits (drivers and amplifiers), and fiber-coupled optical modules. Products support data rates from 25 Gbps to 224+ Gbps per channel, operating at wavelengths from 840nm to 960nm. The company complements its component offerings with characterization, modeling, design/manufacturing, and technology transfer services. Core technology is protected by 32 granted US patents focusing on ultrafast optical interconnects for data centers and AI applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Optical Chips (VCSELs, Single Mode Lasers, Photodiodes) Vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers, single mode lasers, and photodiodes operating at wavelengths from 840 nm to 960 nm for optical communication and sensing applications with data rates up to 200+ Gbps. Sold as discrete chip products to optical module integrators and system developers.
• 200G VCSEL for Multimode Fiber VCSELs with 45 GHz intrinsic modulation bandwidth and narrow spectral width (RMS<0.1 nm) capable of 400 m multimode fiber transmission at 50+ Gbaud. Prototypes available at 850 nm, 880 nm, 910 nm, and 940 nm wavelengths.
• Multi-Aperture VCSEL Chips Coupled multi-aperture (MA) VCSEL chips at 850 nm, 880 nm, 910 nm, and 940 nm wavelengths using self-injection locking for high-speed modulation up to 50 GHz, delivering high single-mode output power (~30 mW CW for 2x2 configuration).
• Circular VCSEL Chip Array 850 nm multi-mode VCSEL chip array with 6 individually addressable emitters positioned on a 78 μm diameter circle, providing 3.5 mW per channel for multicore fiber sensor applications.
• 100G VCSEL and Photodetector for SWDM VCSEL chips at 850 nm, 880 nm, 910 nm, and 940 nm with companion D30-SWDM-C1 photodetector chip for 100 Gbps per channel SWDM applications with 40 GHz bandwidth.
• Large Aperture PIN Photodetectors 25 μm aperture PIN photodetectors with 70 GHz optical modulation bandwidth and approximately 80% quantum responsivity across 840–960 nm spectral range. Telcordia-qualified.
• VM64-850M VCSEL Transmitter Module Fiber-coupled 850 nm VCSEL transmitter module for 4-PAM/8-PAM encoding supporting data rates up to 64–80 Gbit/s with V-connector electrical input and FC/PC optical output.
• V50-850M 850 nm VCSEL Transmitter Module 850 nm VCSEL chip based transmitter module in high-frequency package, suitable for multimode fiber transmission up to 50 Gbit/s.
• Optical Modules (Fiber-Coupled Transmitters) Fiber-coupled optical transmitter modules including VCSEL-based modules for high-speed data transmission up to 100+ Gbit/s over multimode fiber, sold to system integrators and equipment manufacturers.
• SiGe BiCMOS Integrated Circuits (Drivers and Amplifiers) High-speed SiGe BiCMOS VCSEL drivers and amplifiers supporting data rates up to 56+ Gbaud for optical communication systems, designed to match the performance of VI Systems' ultrahigh-speed optical components.
• Testboards and Evaluation Boards Evaluation boards and test fixtures for characterizing optical components and modules at high frequencies up to 128 Gb/s.
• Design and Manufacturing Services Custom design, prototyping, and manufacturing services for optical components and subassemblies with technology transfer to customer facilities. For OEMs and system integrators requiring tailored optoelectronic solutions.
• Wafer-Level Characterization Services High-speed characterization services on wafer level including nearfield/farfield analysis, high-frequency testing up to 45 GHz, and data transmission experiments up to 64 Gbit/s. Provided to customers as a paid service.
• Modeling and Simulation Services 3D modeling and simulation services for optical components using advanced computer simulation software for device optimization.
• Technology Transfer Services

Quantifiable outcome

• 75GHz+ modulation bandwidth achieved with coupled aperture VCSELs
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SpinDataCom ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2025SpinDataCom project (01.06.2025-30.11.2028) developing spin-polarized VCSELs (spin-VCSELs) for next-generation data networks. Partners include CNRS (France), Thales (France), Ruhr-Universität Bochum, TU Eindhoven, Université de Rennes, University of Rijeka. Funded by EISMEA Horizon Europe (€3M total, 101184694).
• Ruhr University BochumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2024Research collaboration on self-injection-locked coupled-aperture VCSEL arrays achieving modulation bandwidth up to 50GHz. Supported by PERFECT project (10184223) funded by Investitionsbank Berlin (IBB) with EU EFRE co-financing.
• COHORT Project ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024COHORT project (01.10.2024-30.09.2027) developing coherent multi-aperture VCSEL arrays for data communications and radio over fiber (ROF) applications. Partners: Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Julight Srl (Italy), Politecnico di Torino. Eurostars-Eureka funded (€921K total).
• Enplas CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2024Joint development of Multi-Mode Fiber transmission technology using Multi-Aperture Single-Mode VCSELs and optimized plastic lens arrays. Achieved 2-4x extension of transmission distance at 53 Gbaud (106 Gbit/s PAM-4), extending beyond 200m of OM4 fiber for enhanced AI and cloud computing interconnects.
• InPhoTechminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2024Collaboration on multicore fiber sensor development. VI Systems provided circular 850nm VCSEL chip array with 6 emitters for coupling into multicore fiber developed by InPhoTech.
• EPIGAP OSA Photonics GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 June 2024Strategic cooperation in the development of Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers (VCSELs) designed for sensing and medical applications. The partnership combines EPIGAP's semiconductor expertise with VI Systems' VCSEL technology platform.
• OHSAR Technology Co., LtdminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner for China market covering Wuhan region (East Lake New Technology Development Zone). Provides local sales support, customer engagement, and business development in China.
• Yusunid International Co., Ltd.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner for Taiwan market (Hsinchu County). Provides local sales and customer support for Taiwan region.
• Hikari Inc.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner for Japan market (Tokyo). Provides local sales engagement and customer support for Japanese customers.
• Enerteks Co. Ltd.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner for South Korea market (Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do). Provides local sales and customer support for Korea.
• Bitel Technologies Ltd.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner for Israel market (Yehud). Provides local sales engagement and customer support for Israeli customers.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Broadcom: Broadcom is the incumbent merchant supplier of 850nm VCSELs and short-reach optical transceivers for hyperscaler datacenters. It directly competes with VI Systems in VCSEL chips and SR optical modules, with much greater scale and customer entrenchment.
• Lumentum: Lumentum manufactures VCSELs, photodiodes, and high-speed optical components for datacom, 3D sensing, and industrial markets. It is a direct competitor across VI Systems' core product categories including 100G/200G+ VCSELs and PIN photodetectors.
• Coherent: Coherent (formerly II-VI) is a vertically integrated supplier of GaAs-based VCSELs, photodetectors, and optical subassemblies for datacom, sensing, and automotive LiDAR. It overlaps with VI Systems across VCSEL chips, photodetectors, and SiGe driver electronics.
• Trumpf Photonic Components: Trumpf Photonic Components (a subsidiary of Trumpf) is a leading European VCSEL supplier targeting datacom, automotive LiDAR, and sensing. It is a direct European-headquartered peer competing with VI Systems in single-mode and multi-mode VCSELs.
• ams OSRAM: ams OSRAM produces VCSELs and edge-emitting lasers primarily for 3D sensing, automotive, and industrial applications. It overlaps with VI Systems in VCSEL chip manufacturing and automotive-grade (high-temperature) laser qualification.
• Source Photonics: Source Photonics designs and manufactures optical transceivers and components including VCSEL-based SR modules for datacenter and 5G applications. It is a direct downstream competitor integrating VCSELs into pluggable modules that compete with VI Systems' component-level offering.
• Innolight Technology: Innolight is a leading Chinese supplier of high-speed optical transceivers (400G/800G) used by global hyperscalers. It is a direct comparable in the short-reach VCSEL-based optical interconnect value chain where VI Systems sells components and modules.

Emerging players

• Vertilas: Vertilas is a Munich-based startup developing long-wavelength VCSELs for gas sensing, datacenter optical interconnects, and LiDAR. It is a smaller-scale German peer with overlapping GaAs-based VCSEL technology and similar target applications.
• Bandwidth10: Bandwidth10 is a US-based startup developing 1060nm single-mode VCSELs for datacenter and high-speed networking applications. It is a similarly-sized emerging peer with overlapping single-mode VCSEL technology competing for the same next-generation SR optics market.

Broad incumbents

• Hisense Broadband: Hisense Broadband Multimedia Technologies is a Chinese manufacturer of optical modules and VCSELs for telecom and datacom. It operates as both a VCSEL chip vendor and module integrator, overlapping VI Systems' component portfolio at scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/1502995
• Xx.com/visgmbh
• Facebookfacebook.com/344126672348402

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

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 VI Systems