Lightmotif

What Lightmotif does

Lightmotif B.V. is a privately held Dutch company founded in 2008 as a spin-off of the University of Twente and the Materials Innovation Institute (M2i), headquartered in Enschede, Netherlands. The company specializes in ultrashort pulse (USP) laser micromachining, specifically ablation, micro-milling, surface texturing, cutting, and drilling of materials with minimal thermal damage to the surrounding bulk material. Its core product line consists of the Kern Femto E3 (3-axis) and Kern Femto E5 (5-axis) laser micromachining systems, produced and distributed globally through a strategic partnership with Kern Microtechnik, supplemented by custom systems built on a modular reference platform using femto- or picosecond lasers with 3- or 5-axis manipulators and 2D vector scanning systems. All systems run on Lightmotif's proprietary control software, which is specifically designed for step-and-scan laser micromachining and includes adaptive machining and automated calibration capabilities.

The company serves industrial precision-manufacturing end-users in tooling, cutting tools, molds, and functional surface applications, with named customers including SKF (textured injection molds for automotive soft-touch/anti-glare, via the APPOLO project) and an unnamed drill manufacturer (chip breaker pockets on cemented tungsten carbide drills, via the ADALAM project). It also engages in contract manufacturing and application development services — feasibility studies, process optimization, and small-series production — for customers that are not yet ready to invest in their own production equipment. The company has participated in multiple EU-funded collaborative research programs (ADALAM under Horizon 2020, APPOLO and NANOCLEAN under FP7, Nano4Vitality regionally) alongside the University of Twente and 21 international partners.

Lightmotif operates with a small team of 1-10 employees and has remained profitable since its early years despite significant R&D investment, with no external funding rounds, no parent company, and no subsidiaries disclosed. Its go-to-market is enterprise field sales, supported by the Kern Microtechnik distribution channel, the company website, EU research project visibility, and trade event participation. Revenue is generated through one-time system sales, professional services (contract manufacturing and application development), and recurring software updates and technical support. The legal entity is Lightmotif B.V., registered in the Netherlands (Chamber of Commerce 08170621; VAT NL8190.22.500.B01), managed by CEO Max Groenendijk alongside Ronald Sipkema and Martijn Sipkema.

Name

Lightmotif

Legal name

Lightmotif B.V.

Website

https://lightmotif.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Lightmotif B.V. is a Dutch privately-held niche industrial company that designs and supplies ultrashort pulse laser micromachining systems (Kern Femto E3/E5) and custom platforms, plus contract manufacturing and application development services, for precision manufacturing end-users in tooling, molds, and functional surface texturing.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Laser micromachining systems and services

NAICS

Electric Lighting Equipment Manufacturing (33513)

SIC

Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827)

akta.pro primary industry

Optoelectronic Components (LEDs, photodiodes, optocouplers, optical sensors) (IMAGAJAF)

Keywords

• Ultrashort pulse laser machining
• Laser micromachining systems
• Laser surface texturing
• Precision micro-milling machines
• Femtosecond laser ablation

Headquarters

HQ city

Enschede

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Laser Micromachining Systems Sales: Sale of standard laser machines (Kern Femto E3, E5) and custom high-end laser micromachining systems. Machines are production-grade systems designed for shop floor environments with optional automation.
2. Contract Manufacturing: One-off manufacturing of test/prototype parts and small series production for customers who don't want to invest in production machines.
3. Application Development Services: Feasibility studies and process development services for customers investigating new applications. Process optimization for speed or quality.
4. Software Updates and Support: Ongoing software updates and technical support services for system customers.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Lightmotif designs, builds, and sells ultrashort pulse laser micromachining systems for industrial customers, including the Kern Femto E3 and E5 production machines marketed with Kern Microtechnik and custom systems built on a modular reference platform. The company also provides application development (feasibility studies and process optimization) and contract manufacturing of prototype parts and small series using its in-house laser systems. All systems run on Lightmotif's proprietary step-and-scan control and CAM software, and are supported with ongoing software updates and technical support.

Product overview

Lightmotif offers a portfolio of high-end laser micromachining systems and services centered on ultrashort pulse laser technology. The core product line includes the Kern Femto E3 (3-axis) and Kern Femto E5 (5-axis) laser micromachining systems, built through a partnership with Kern Microtechnik, along with custom systems based on a modular reference platform. All systems run on Lightmotif's proprietary control software specifically designed for step-and-scan laser micromachining. The company provides contract manufacturing services and application development (feasibility studies and process development) supporting customers from idea to production. Key technology applications include laser micro-milling, laser surface texturing, laser cutting, and laser drilling using ultrashort pulse lasers that minimize thermal damage.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Kern Femto E3
• Kern Femto E5
• Custom Laser Micromachining Systems
• Contract Manufacturing
• Feasibility Studies
• Process Development
• Laser Micro-Milling Service
• Laser Surface Texturing Service
• Laser Cutting Service
• Laser Drilling Service

Quantifiable outcome

• Material removal rates of 1 mm³/min or higher for cemented tungsten carbide
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• University of TwentecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008Lightmotif was founded as a spin-off company of the University of Twente in 2008, combining knowledge in ultrashort pulse laser processing, software development, and mechanical engineering. University continues as collaborative research partner.
• Materials Innovation Institute (M2i)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008Co-founding research institute for Lightmotif spin-off in 2008, contributing to research foundation of ultrashort pulse laser processing technology.
• Kern MicrotechnikcoreTechnology or IntegrationStrategic partnership with Kern Microtechnik, a leader in precision machine tools, to produce and distribute the Kern Femto E3 and E5 laser micromachining systems. Kern provides the precision motion platform while Lightmotif contributes laser micromachining expertise and proprietary control software.
• European Commission (I4MS Initiative)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPPOLO project supported by ICT Innovations for Manufacturing SMEs (I4MS) initiative, with 21 partners from 8 countries working on novel laser applications.
• University of Twente (Nano4Vitality)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional research collaboration on large area surface texturing where university developed molding and material modification process.
• Amplitude LasercoreTechnology or IntegrationSupplier of Amplitude Satsuma HP2 industrial micromachining laser used in Kern Femto E3 systems (1030 nm wavelength, 350 fs to 10 ps pulse width, up to 40 MHz repetition).
• SCANLABcoreTechnology or IntegrationSupplier of SCANLAB 2D scan system with digital encoders for low drift and dither, used in Kern Femto E3 machines.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Others

• SCANLAB GmbH: Supplier of the 2D scan systems used in Lightmotif's systems. A major component partner and adjacent player in the laser micromachining supply chain.
• Amplitude Laser: Supplier of the Satsuma HP2 femtosecond laser used in Lightmotif's Kern Femto E3 systems. Sits upstream as a key technology provider and is thematically adjacent in the ultrafast laser ecosystem.
• Kern Microtechnik GmbH: Strategic distribution and integration partner for Lightmotif's Kern Femto systems. Operates an adjacent precision machine tool business and provides the motion platform for Lightmotif's products.

Direct peers

• M-Solv Ltd: UK-based laser micromachining company combining equipment supply with contract manufacturing services, mirroring Lightmotif's dual equipment-plus-services business model in adjacent industrial applications.
• 3D-Micromac AG: German specialist in industrial laser micromachining systems for solar, semiconductor, and medical device markets. Closely comparable to Lightmotif in offering laser-based micromachining equipment and processing services to high-end industrial customers.
• Lasea SA: Belgian ultrafast laser micromachining systems builder with a similar focus on ultrashort pulse laser processing for precision industrial applications. Direct competitor in the niche Lightmotif occupies.
• OpTek Systems: Precision laser micromachining services and equipment provider serving industrial end-users with ultrashort pulse laser technology. Comparable in technology stack and customer overlap with Lightmotif.

Broad incumbents

• Coherent Corp: Global leader in laser technology with a wide industrial laser systems portfolio. Represents a broad incumbent whose R&D resources could encroach on Lightmotif's niche.
• TRUMPF SE + Co. KG: Major German industrial laser and machine tool company with broad systems offerings for materials processing. A potential large-scale entrant into the ultrashort pulse micromachining niche from above.
• IPG Photonics: Dominant supplier of high-power fiber lasers and laser systems for industrial materials processing. Adjacent in the broader laser-for-manufacturing space and a potential competitor at the high-power edge of micromachining.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Lightmotif