OptoNet e.V.
OptoNet e.V. is a German non-profit photonics cluster association headquartered in Jena, Thuringia, uniting 138 industry, research, and education members to drive cooperation, talent development, and international visibility for the regional photonics ecosystem.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1998
- HeadquartersJena, Germany
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What OptoNet e.V. does
OptoNet e.V. is a German registered association (eingetragener Verein) headquartered in Jena, Thuringia, that operates as the central cluster network for the regional photonics industry. Founded in 1998, the organisation unites 138 leading actors across industry, research, and education in photonics-related fields including optics and mechanics, laser and radiation sources, optoelectronics, optical materials, micro- and fiber optics, metrology and sensors, and light engineering. Its mission is to strengthen the Thuringian high-tech location by fostering technological future themes, initiating cooperations, promoting international visibility, attracting skilled workforce, and engaging youth through MINT education initiatives.
The organisation's service portfolio comprises networking and cooperation initiation across members, talent development (notably the MASTER+ program running since 2010 with 200+ alumni connecting master's students at Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Ernst-Abbe-Hochschule Jena, and TU Ilmenau with member companies), and a calendar of signature events including the JENAer Optikkolloquium, JENAer Lasertagung, W3+ Fair Jena, and topic-specific workshops. Strategic technology alliances such as Allianz UKPiño and Allianz Quantifisens extend coordination into ultrashort-pulse processing and quantum sensing. The organisation also publishes the annual Photonics Report providing statistical facts on the Thuringian photonics ecosystem.
OptoNet's revenue model is twofold. As a non-profit association, it charges membership fees to its 138 member organisations on a recurring basis. Additionally, the organisation is publicly funded by the Free State of Thuringia under the GRW (Improvement of Regional Economic Structure) programme administered by the Thuringian Ministry for Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Rural Areas (TMWLLR). It holds the GOLD-Label for Cluster Excellence from the European Cluster Excellence Initiative, renewed in 2026, and is governed by two Managing Directors (Nora Kirsten and Anke Siegmeier) and an elected board of directors (Vorstand).
OptoNet e.V. firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- OptoNet e.V.
- Legal name
- OptoNet e.V.
- Website
- https://optonet-jena.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1998
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- OptoNet e.V. is a German non-profit photonics cluster association headquartered in Jena, Thuringia, uniting 138 industry, research, and education members to drive cooperation, talent development, and international visibility for the regional photonics ecosystem.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
OptoNet e.V. industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Photonics Industry Network / Cluster Management
- NAICS
- Business Associations (813910)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Optoelectronic Receivers & Transceivers (Photodetectors/Optical Modules) (HDAHALAM)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Optoelectronic Emitters (LED/Laser/VCSEL) (HDAHALAL)
Keywords
Where OptoNet e.V. is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Jena
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
OptoNet e.V. business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Membership fees: OptoNet e.V. operates as a registered association (e.V.) serving as a cluster network for photonics companies, research institutions, and educational entities in Thuringia. Revenue is generated through membership fees from its 138 member organizations.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
OptoNet e.V. product offering
Product offeringCore offering
OptoNet e.V. is a registered non-profit association (e.V.) that operates as the central photonics cluster network for Thuringia, Germany, uniting 138 leading actors from industry, research, and education. It provides network membership services, organizes photonics conferences and workshops (JENAer Optikkolloquium, JENAer Lasertagung, W3+ Fair), runs the MASTER+ talent development program for master's students, facilitates technology collaborations and internationalization, and publishes the annual Photonics Report.
Product overview
OptoNet e.V. is a photonics network association (not a product company) that unites 138 leading actors from industry, research, and education in photonics in Thuringia, Germany. The organization offers a portfolio of programs and services including: the MASTER+ talent development program for master's students; events such as the JENAer Optikkolloquium (optics colloquium), JENAer Lasertagung (laser conference), W3+ Fair (trade fair), and Ultra Precision Manufacturing Workshop; technology competence development and working groups; internationalization support; and the annual Photonics Report providing industry statistics for Thuringia.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- MASTER+: Young talent programme for master's students in photonics-related fields, facilitating company visits, workshops, and networking with the photonics industry in Thuringia. Running since 2010.
- JENAer Optikkolloquium
- Jenaer Lasertagung
Products and services
- OptoNet MASTER+ Program Annual one-year talent development program for around 20 master's students per year in physics, photonics, medical photonics, materials science, laser and opto-technologies, optometry, medical technology, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering, connecting them with top photonics companies in Thuringia through company tours, workshops, and soft-skill trainings.
- JENAer Optikkolloquium
Companies that use OptoNet e.V.
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
OptoNet e.V. technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
OptoNet e.V. partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- bayern photonics e.V.minorPartner network connecting German photonics clusters across regions. bayern photonics is the Bavarian photonics network, similar to OptoNet's role in Thuringia.
- Hanse Photonik e.V.minorPartner network connecting German photonics clusters. Hanse Photonik represents the northern German photonics network.
- OptecBB e.V.minorPartner network — OptecBB (Optische Technologien Berlin-Brandenburg) is the Berlin-Brandenburg photonics cluster network.
- Photonics BW e.V.minorPartner network — Photonics BW is the Baden-Württemberg photonics cluster network.
- PhotonicNetminorPartner network — PhotonicNet is a photonics cluster network (based in Hanover/Lower Saxony).
- NMWP.NRWminorPartner network — NMWP.NRW (Neue Materialien und Werkstoffe Photonik Nordrhein-Westfalen) is the NRW photonics and materials network.
- Silicon Saxony e.V.minorPartner network — Silicon Saxony is the Saxon semiconductor and microelectronics cluster network.
- Wetzlar NetworkminorPartner network — Wetzlar Network connects optics and photonics companies in the Wetzlar region.
- Allianz UKPiñocoreAllianz UKPiño is a thematic alliance focused on specific photonics topics, initiated by OptoNet as part of its technology competence activities.
- Allianz QuantifisenscoreAllianz Quantifisens is a thematic alliance focused on quantum technologies and sensing, initiated by OptoNet as part of its technology competence activities.
- Carl Zeiss AGcoreCarl Zeiss AG is a premier member and MASTER+ program partner. ZEISS is a long-standing OptoNet member and participates in talent programs, company tours, and cluster activities.
- JENOPTIK AGcoreJENOPTIK AG is a platinum sponsor of the 15th JENAer Lasertagung (2026) and MASTER+ program partner. JENOPTIK participates in talent programs and cluster activities.
- Fraunhofer IOFcoreFraunhofer IOF is a key research member of OptoNet. The institute co-organizes events like the Photonics Days and Applied Photonics Award, and collaborates on technology projects.
- Friedrich-Schiller-Universität JenacoreThe Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena is a key academic partner, participating in the MASTER+ program and hosting events including the MINT Festival Jena on its campus.
- Ernst-Abbe-Hochschule JenacoreErnst-Abbe-Hochschule (EAH) Jena is a key academic partner, participating in the MASTER+ program as a host university for master's students.
- Technische Universität IlmenaucoreTU Ilmenau is an academic partner participating in the MASTER+ program and hosts OptoNet workshops (e.g., XR workshop, September 2026).
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
OptoNet e.V. competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- bayern photonics e.V. Photonics cluster network for Bavaria, operating as a regional member-based association analogous to OptoNet's role in Thuringia. Directly comparable in model, scope, and stakeholder mix (industry, research, education).
- OptecBB e.V. Optical technologies cluster for Berlin-Brandenburg, organized as a member-based association facilitating industry-research-education collaboration. Directly comparable in mission and structure to OptoNet.
- Wetzlar Network e.V. Optics and photonics network for the Wetzlar region (Hesse), focused on industrial optics companies and adjacent research. Directly comparable cluster model in a distinct German photonics geography.
- NMWP.NRW Cluster: North Rhine-Westphalia cluster for new materials, photonics, and quantum. Comparable cluster-network model connecting industry, research, and education in the photonics domain.
- Hanse Photonik e.V. Northern German photonics cluster network based in the Hamburg/Hanse region. Closely comparable membership-association model serving industry-research-education stakeholders, but in a different German geography.
- Silicon Saxony e.V. Saxon semiconductor and microelectronics cluster network with overlap into photonics/optoelectronics. Comparable cluster management model serving industry-research-education stakeholders.
- PhotonicNet GmbH: Lower Saxony photonics cluster network based in Hanover, serving industry-research-education stakeholders with comparable cluster management services and networking focus.
- Photonics BW e.V. Photonics cluster for Baden-Württemberg, Germany's other major photonics region. Operates the same membership-network model focused on industry-research-education integration.
Broad incumbents
- Photonics21: European Technology Platform for photonics, bringing together industry, research, and policy stakeholders. Comparable in stakeholder mix and mission but operates at the supranational level rather than a single German region.
- EPIC (European Photonics Industry Consortium): European-level industry association for photonics, serving a broader international membership base with industry advocacy and networking. Comparable in mission (industry association for photonics) but operates at a pan-European rather than regional scale.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
OptoNet e.V. social profiles
Digital presenceOptoNet e.V. financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
OptoNet e.V. leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
OptoNet e.V. funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
OptoNet e.V. 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 OptoNet e.V.
What does OptoNet e.V. do?
OptoNet e.V. is a registered non-profit association (e.V.) that operates as the central photonics cluster network for Thuringia, Germany, uniting 138 leading actors from industry, research, and education. It provides network membership services, organizes photonics conferences and workshops (JENAer Optikkolloquium, JENAer Lasertagung, W3+ Fair), runs the MASTER+ talent development program for master's students, facilitates technology collaborations and internationalization, and publishes the annual Photonics Report.
Is OptoNet e.V. a public or private company?
OptoNet e.V. is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was OptoNet e.V. founded?
OptoNet e.V. was founded in 1998. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is OptoNet e.V. based?
OptoNet e.V. is headquartered in Jena, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does OptoNet e.V. make money?
One revenue line is on record: membership fees.
Who are OptoNet e.V.'s main competitors?
Direct peers on record are bayern photonics e.V., OptecBB e.V., Wetzlar Network e.V., NMWP.NRW Cluster, Hanse Photonik e.V., Silicon Saxony e.V., PhotonicNet GmbH and Photonics BW e.V.. Broad incumbents are Photonics21 and EPIC (European Photonics Industry Consortium).
Does OptoNet e.V. have an API?
No public API is recorded for OptoNet e.V..
What industry is OptoNet e.V. in?
OptoNet e.V.'s product category is Photonics Industry Network / Cluster Management. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAHALAM, Optoelectronic Receivers & Transceivers (Photodetectors/Optical Modules), with a secondary code of HDAHALAL, Optoelectronic Emitters (LED/Laser/VCSEL). Its NAICS code is 813910 and its SIC code is 8600.