Institut FOTON
Institut FOTON is a French public photonics research laboratory (UMR 6082) jointly run by CNRS, the University of Rennes, and INSA Rennes. It conducts fundamental and applied photonics research across three departments and three technical platforms, serving academic, public-sector, and industrial collaborators.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2004
- HeadquartersRennes, France
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Institut FOTON does
Institut FOTON (UMR 6082) is a French public photonics research laboratory jointly operated by CNRS, the University of Rennes, and INSA Rennes, with three research departments — DOP (Optoelectronics, Photonics and Microwave), OHM (Optoelectronics, Heterostructures and Materials), and SP (Photonic Systems) — and three technical platforms (CCLO, nanoRennes, Persyst) located in Rennes and Lannion, Brittany. Its research spans the full photonics innovation chain, from materials to systems, encompassing photonic sensors, microwave and THz photonics, optical communications, photogeneration and energy storage, and quantum metrology. Differentiated technical capabilities include frequency-shifting loops for dual-comb spectroscopy and LIDAR, whispering gallery mode microsensors, chalcogenide glass integrated mid-infrared sensors, perovskite heterostructures for photovoltaics, and crystal-polarity-engineered GaP microdisks on silicon.
The institute does not sell commercial products; revenue derives from public research funding via its parent institutions and national programs such as PEPR and ANR grants, supplemented by industrial co-development partnerships (e.g., Kwan-tek for quantum sensors, ONERA for free-space optical telecommunications) and international joint-PhD programs with the University of Chicago and the University of Sherbrooke. Outputs consist of peer-reviewed publications in top-tier journals (Nature, Science, Nature Photonics), PhD theses, conference organization (Photon2Startup Days, VH Days), training of doctoral and master's students, and access to its technical platforms for academic and industrial collaborators. Its primary audience comprises other academic and research institutions, French public funders, and a smaller set of industry partners seeking specialized photonics expertise and fabrication capabilities.
Institut FOTON firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Institut FOTON
- Legal name
- Institut Foton
- Website
- https://institut-foton.eu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2004
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Institut FOTON is a French public photonics research laboratory (UMR 6082) jointly run by CNRS, the University of Rennes, and INSA Rennes. It conducts fundamental and applied photonics research across three departments and three technical platforms, serving academic, public-sector, and industrial collaborators.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Institut FOTON industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Photonics Research
- NAICS
- Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing (3344), Research and Development in Nanotechnology (541713)
- SIC
- Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Optoelectronic Emitters (LED/Laser/VCSEL) (HDAHALAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Optoelectronic / Photonics Foundries (Silicon Photonics/LED/Laser) (HDAHACAG), Photodiodes & Discrete Photodetectors (HDAHAHAL), Optoelectronic Receivers & Transceivers (Photodetectors/Optical Modules) (HDAHALAM)
Keywords
Where Institut FOTON is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Rennes
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Institut FOTON business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Public Research Funding: Core funding from CNRS (French National Centre for Scientific Research), University of Rennes, and INSA Rennes as a Joint Research Unit (UMR 6082). Additional funding from French national programs such as PEPR (Programmes et Équipements Prioritaires de Recherche) and ANR grants.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
Institut FOTON product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Institut FOTON is a public photonics research laboratory (UMR 6082) conducting fundamental and applied research across photonic sensors, microwave and THz photonics, optical communications, and photogeneration/energy storage. It delivers research outputs through scientific publications, PhD training, industrial partnerships, and access to three technical platforms (CCLO, nanoRennes, Persyst).
Product overview
Institut FOTON (UMR 6082) is a joint research unit of CNRS, University of Rennes, and INSA Rennes, operating as a leading academic research center in photonics rather than a commercial product company. The institution is organized into three research departments (DOP, OHM, SP) and three technical platforms (CCLO, nanoRennes, Persyst). Research activities span from materials to systems and from fundamental science to practical applications in areas including photonic sensors, microwave and THz photonics, optical communications, and photogeneration/energy storage. The institution does not offer commercial products or services; its outputs consist of research publications, PhD programs, training, and industrial partnerships.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- CCLO Technical Platform (Centre Commun Lannionnais d'Optique)
- nanoRennes Technical Platform
- Persyst Technical Platform
- Industrial Partnerships and Technology Transfer
- PhD and Postdoctoral Training Programs
Quantifiable outcome
- Publications in top-tier journals including Science, Nature Communications, and Nature Photonics
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Institut FOTON
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Institut FOTON technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
Institut FOTON partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- University of ChicagocoreJoint doctoral thesis program (QUANTUM project) between University of Chicago and Institut FOTON under the UChicago-CNRS joint thesis program. The project focuses on quantum dot atomic interface thermodynamics, involving researchers from both institutions including Pr. Paul Alivisatos (President of University of Chicago).
- Kwan-tekcoreKwan-tek, a pioneering SME in quantum sensors, partnered with Institut FOTON to boost innovation in high-precision quantum sensors. The collaboration combines Kwan-tek's industry expertise with FOTON's research capabilities in quantum metrology and photonic sensing technologies.
- University of Sherbrooke (Canada)coreJoint PhD program (CAMERA project) between University of Sherbrooke and Institut FOTON for Advanced Sensors for Environmental Monitoring in Arctic Regions. 48-month cotutelle thesis addressing photonic integrated sensors for mid-infrared detection of climatologically active gases.
- ONERAminorCollaborative PhD supervision with ONERA (The French Aerospace Research Lab) for research on coherent beam combining of wavelength-division multiplexed telecom signals for free-space optical telecommunications.
- CNRScoreCore institutional partner as the parent research organization. Institut FOTON is UMR 6082 (Joint Research Unit 6082) of CNRS.
- University of RennescoreCore institutional partner as one of the founding universities. Institut FOTON is a joint unit of University of Rennes.
- INSA RennescoreCore institutional partner as one of the founding engineering schools. Institut FOTON is a joint unit of INSA Rennes.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Institut FOTON competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute (HHI): German applied research institute specializing in photonic networks, optical communications, and integrated photonic components; a comparable European publicly-funded research center operating at significantly greater scale.
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland: Finnish public applied research organization with significant photonics, quantum, and semiconductor R&D activity; comparable as a publicly funded multi-disciplinary photonics research entity.
- CEA-Leti: Larger French public research institute with deep capabilities in semiconductor and photonic component R&D, including silicon photonics and integrated optics; a broader incumbent operating across the same photonic technology stack as FOTON.
- IMEC: Largest European independent semiconductor and photonic R&D center; covers silicon photonics, integrated lasers, and quantum photonics with industrial partners—directly comparable in photonic component research but with vastly larger scale and funding.
Direct peers
- CNRS Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (C2N): French CNRS-affiliated nanoscience laboratory with active programs in integrated photonics, optoelectronics, and quantum photonics; shares institutional framework (CNRS UMR structure) and research scope with FOTON.
- Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC), University of Southampton: UK university-based photonics research centre with strength in lasers, optical communications, and photonic materials; directly comparable as an academic research centre pursuing similar photonic component and systems research.
- ETH Zurich Quantum Optics and Photonics Group: Leading European academic research group in quantum photonics, lasers, and integrated optics; comparable in research scope (lasers, photonic sensing, integrated photonic circuits) though operating at significantly larger scale.
- FEMTO-ST Institute (UMR 6174): French CNRS joint research unit covering photonics, micro/nanosciences, and optics; comparable as a publicly funded multi-site French photonics research lab pursuing similar dual-use academic and industrial research.
- Institut d'Optique Graduate School (IOGS / CNRS UMR 8506): Closely related French photonics research laboratory affiliated with CNRS and academic partners; conducts fundamental and applied research in optics, lasers, and photonic components, making it a near-direct institutional peer in the French public photonics ecosystem.
Others
- Kwan-tek: French SME specializing in quantum sensors that recently partnered with FOTON; an industrial counterpart in the same quantum-sensing space rather than a research peer.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Institut FOTON social profiles
Digital presenceInstitut FOTON financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Institut FOTON leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles16 records
Institut FOTON funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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Institut FOTON M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Institut FOTON
What does Institut FOTON do?
Institut FOTON is a public photonics research laboratory (UMR 6082) conducting fundamental and applied research across photonic sensors, microwave and THz photonics, optical communications, and photogeneration/energy storage. It delivers research outputs through scientific publications, PhD training, industrial partnerships, and access to three technical platforms (CCLO, nanoRennes, Persyst).
Is Institut FOTON a public or private company?
Institut FOTON is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Institut FOTON founded?
Institut FOTON was founded in 2004. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Institut FOTON based?
Institut FOTON is headquartered in Rennes, France, in the Europe region.
How does Institut FOTON make money?
One revenue line is on record: public Research Funding.
Who are Institut FOTON's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute (HHI), VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, CEA-Leti and IMEC. Direct peers are CNRS Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (C2N), Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC), University of Southampton, ETH Zurich Quantum Optics and Photonics Group, FEMTO-ST Institute (UMR 6174) and Institut d'Optique Graduate School (IOGS / CNRS UMR 8506). Kwan-tek is listed as an others.
Does Institut FOTON have an API?
No public API is recorded for Institut FOTON.
What industry is Institut FOTON in?
Institut FOTON's product category is Photonics Research. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAHALAL, Optoelectronic Emitters (LED/Laser/VCSEL), with a secondary code of HDAHACAG, Optoelectronic / Photonics Foundries (Silicon Photonics/LED/Laser). Its NAICS code is 3344 and its SIC code is 3826.