Photonics BW e.V.
Photonics BW e.V. is a non-profit innovation network headquartered in Aalen, Germany, that connects approximately 90 member companies, research institutions, and startups in the Baden-Württemberg photonics and quantum technologies ecosystem through working groups, events, training seminars, and matchmaking services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersAalen, Germany
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Photonics BW e.V. does
Photonics BW e.V. is a non-profit innovation network (eingetragener Verein) headquartered in Aalen, Baden-Württemberg, founded in July 2000 with support from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). The organization operates as the regional photonics and quantum technologies cluster for Baden-Württemberg, uniting approximately 90 member organizations from industry (including SICK AG and Carl Zeiss AG), SMEs, startups, research institutions (Universität Stuttgart, Universität Ulm), and financial/consulting firms. It is one of eight founding regional networks of OptecNet Deutschland e.V. (the national umbrella association covering 600+ members) and participates in the PHOTONICS GERMANY alliance with SPECTARIS, which collectively represents around 700 companies and institutions.
The organization's core activity is ecosystem orchestration rather than technology product development. Its service portfolio includes twelve active working groups (Arbeitsgemeinschaften) covering laser material processing, optical design and simulation, quantum technologies, machine vision, illumination and display, laser safety, optics in medicine and biotechnology, optical communications/PICs, optical metrology/sensorics, business boost, education, and Women in Photonics. It runs the PQT Energizer funding program for photonics and quantum-technology startups, Germany's only dedicated photonics job portal, a study guide (Studienführer), and recurring applied-optics training seminars (e.g., Optische Systeme Design und Simulation, Advanced Lens Design, Quantensensorik). Through the EU-funded PhotonQBoost project it operates international 'Matching Mission' delegation trips to Austria, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Lithuania, and Poland, and it participates in EPIC technology meetings. The organization has been designated a go-cluster by BMWK and, since May 2025, is authorized for the IGF (Industrial Community Research) program in cooperation with F.O.M.
The business model is a subscription-style membership association: Photonics BW generates revenue primarily through annual membership fees paid by its ~90 members (companies, research institutions, startups, and other organizations). Specific fee levels are not publicly disclosed. The organization is led by a Managing Director (Dr. Andreas Ehrhardt MBA) and a 5-person staff covering controlling/administration, project management, marketing/PR, and quantum technologies, with a separately constituted voluntary board chaired since July 2025 by Dr. Michael Overdick of SICK AG. As a registered non-profit, Photonics BW operates independently without external equity ownership and reinvests in cluster programming, events, and member services.
Photonics BW e.V. firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Photonics BW e.V.
- Legal name
- Photonics BW e.V.
- Website
- https://photonicsbw.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Photonics BW e.V. is a non-profit innovation network headquartered in Aalen, Germany, that connects approximately 90 member companies, research institutions, and startups in the Baden-Württemberg photonics and quantum technologies ecosystem through working groups, events, training seminars, and matchmaking services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Photonics BW e.V. industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Innovation Cluster Network Services
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Quantum Community, Developer Relations & Ecosystem Programs (HDAGALAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Quantum Workshops, Bootcamps & Events Providers (HDAGALAM)
Keywords
Where Photonics BW e.V. is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Aalen
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Photonics BW e.V. business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Membership Fees: As a non-profit association (e.V.), Photonics BW generates revenue through membership fees from companies, research institutions, startups, and other organizations in the photonics and quantum technology sectors in Baden-Württemberg
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Standard membership for companies, research institutions, and organizations |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Photonics BW e.V. product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Photonics BW e.V. is a non-profit innovation network that provides cluster-management and ecosystem-coordination services for the optical and quantum technologies sector in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Its core offering is membership-based access to cross-organizational working groups, training seminars, networking events, an online job portal, a study guide for photonics students, the PQT Energizer funding program, and the Women in Photonics initiative, serving roughly 90 members from industry, SMEs, start-ups, research institutions, banks, and consulting firms.
Product overview
Photonics BW e.V. is a non-profit innovation network for optical technologies and quantum technologies in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. The organization does not offer a unified software product but rather provides a portfolio of services including networking facilitation, innovation promotion, working groups (Arbeitsgemeinschaften), training seminars, a job portal, study guides, and the PQT Energizer funding program. The training seminars include Optische Systeme: Design und Simulation, Advanced Lens Design, Beleuchtungsoptik: Entwicklung und Anwendung, Optische Charakterisierung von Displays, and Quantensensorik. Additional offerings include the Photonics BW Studienführer (study guide), Women in Photonics networking initiative, and Germany's only dedicated photonics job portal.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Photonics BW Membership Annual organizational membership in the Photonics BW e.V. innovation network, giving companies, SMEs, start-ups, research institutions, banks, and consulting firms access to networking, working groups, training seminars, the job portal, study guide, and funding-program information for the optical and quantum technologies sector in Baden-Württemberg.
- PQT Energizer Funding Program
Quantifiable outcome
- Photonics BW supported Linq Photonics in winning the Regional Cup of IHK Rhein-Neckar and securing a spot in the State Final of Start-up BW Elevator Pitch
Companies that use Photonics BW e.V.
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Photonics BW e.V. technology and API
TechnologyAPI detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Photonics BW e.V. partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- OptecNet Deutschland e.V.coreOptecNet Deutschland is the non-profit umbrella association founded on December 13, 2001, which bundles the regional activities of 8 regional photonics networks including Photonics BW. The umbrella coordinates strategy and represents German photonics interests nationally and internationally. Photonics BW's Managing Director Dr. Andreas Ehrhardt serves on the board of OptecNet Deutschland.
- OpTecBBminorRegional photonics network partner within the OptecNet Deutschland umbrella, operating in the Berlin-Brandenburg region
- PhotonicNet GmbHminorRegional photonics network partner within the OptecNet Deutschland umbrella
- OptoNetminorRegional photonics network partner within the OptecNet Deutschland umbrella, based in Jena
- Hanse PhotonikminorRegional photonics network partner within the OptecNet Deutschland umbrella, operating in Northern Germany
- bayern photonicsminorRegional photonics network partner within the OptecNet Deutschland umbrella, operating in Bavaria
- SPECTARIScoreThrough the PHOTONICS GERMANY alliance with SPECTARIS, the German industry association, Photonics BW participates in national policy advocacy and represents approximately 700 companies and institutions
- Forschungsvereinigung Feinmechanik, Optik und Medizintechnik (F.O.M.)corePhotonics BW cooperates with F.O.M. to support awareness of current research projects and utilization of research results. Since May 2025, Photonics BW is also authorized for the 'IGF' (Industrial Community Research) program. F.O.M. conducts publicly funded research projects under the IGF program of BMWK.
- ARENA2036coreInnovation campus in Stuttgart where Photonics BW member QuiX Quantum is located, and where Photonics BW holds its annual general meeting
- Quantum BWcorePartnership for quantum technologies promotion in Baden-Württemberg. Jointly organizing events like 'Quantum Technologies meet Aerospace and Defence' and 'Start-up & Investment Pitches' at Quantum Effects trade fair. Collaborating on the 'From Lab to Fab' project to promote Enabling Technologies.
- Fraunhofer IOSBminorFraunhofer Institute where Photonics BW initiated the expert circle 'Photonics and Quantum Technologies for Security and Defense'
- Allianz 4.0 Baden-WürttembergminorStrategic initiative for Industry 4.0 in Baden-Württemberg
- BIOPRO Baden-WürttembergminorBioeconomy and life sciences network in Baden-Württemberg
- bwconminorBusiness development network for Baden-Württemberg
- Baden-Württemberg International (bw-i)minorEconomic development agency for internationalization of Baden-Württemberg companies
- INNO-Z Innovationszentrum AalenminorInnovation center in Aalen that Photonics BW collaborates with, particularly for startup support
- EPIC (European Photonics Industry Consortium)coreEuropean photonics industry consortium organizing technology meetings. Photonics BW participates in EPIC events and collaborates on international photonics and quantum technology activities.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Photonics BW e.V. competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- PhotonicNet GmbH: Lower-Saxony-based photonics network and fellow OptecNet member. Comparable non-profit cluster serving a specific German region, with similar working-group and matchmaking services.
- bayern photonics e.V. Sister regional cluster under OptecNet Deutschland serving Bavaria. Directly comparable model (non-profit innovation network for photonics with member services, working groups, and events) but in a different German state.
- OpTecBB e.V. Photonics cluster for the Berlin-Brandenburg region, also under the OptecNet umbrella. Same non-profit regional cluster structure; comparable in mission and member-service model.
- Hanse Photonik: Northern German photonics network under OptecNet Deutschland. Operates a comparable regional cluster model for photonics companies and research institutions.
- OptoNet e.V. Regional photonics cluster based in Jena, Thuringia, and fellow OptecNet member. Operates the same non-profit cluster model with member services, events, and working groups in a different geography.
- NMWP (NanoMikroWerkstoffe Photonik) e.V. NRW-based cluster for nano/micro/materials and photonics, with comparable non-profit cluster-management structure. Provides a useful cross-check on cluster operating models outside Baden-Württemberg.
Direct peers
- Quantum BW: Baden-Württemberg's dedicated quantum technologies network. Photonics BW is an explicit cooperation partner; jointly organizing events such as 'Quantum Technologies meet Aerospace and Defence' and the Quantum Effects trade fair. Direct peer in quantum community/ecosystem development within the same state.
- OptecNet Deutschland e.V. Umbrella association of Germany's 8 regional photonics networks, of which Photonics BW is a founding member. Directly comparable as a non-profit cluster network coordinating photonics/quantum activity, with national and EU-level reach.
Others
- SPECTARIS e.V. German industry association and co-architect of the PHOTONICS GERMANY alliance with OptecNet. Comparable in its role of representing photonics/medical-tech members to policymakers, but covers a broader industry portfolio.
Broad incumbents
- EPIC (European Photonics Industry Consortium): European-level industry association for photonics. Photonics BW actively participates in EPIC technology meetings. Comparable as a networking/member-services body but operating at pan-European rather than regional scale.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Photonics BW e.V. social profiles
Digital presencePhotonics BW e.V. financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Photonics BW e.V. leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Photonics BW e.V. funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Photonics BW 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 Photonics BW e.V.
What does Photonics BW e.V. do?
Photonics BW e.V. is a non-profit innovation network that provides cluster-management and ecosystem-coordination services for the optical and quantum technologies sector in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Its core offering is membership-based access to cross-organizational working groups, training seminars, networking events, an online job portal, a study guide for photonics students, the PQT Energizer funding program, and the Women in Photonics initiative, serving roughly 90 members from industry, SMEs, start-ups, research institutions, banks, and consulting firms.
Is Photonics BW e.V. a public or private company?
Photonics BW e.V. is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Photonics BW e.V. founded?
Photonics BW e.V. was founded in 2000. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Photonics BW e.V. based?
Photonics BW e.V. is headquartered in Aalen, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Photonics BW e.V. make money?
One revenue line is on record: membership Fees.
Who are Photonics BW e.V.'s main competitors?
Regional players on record are PhotonicNet GmbH, bayern photonics e.V., OpTecBB e.V., Hanse Photonik, OptoNet e.V. and NMWP (NanoMikroWerkstoffe Photonik) e.V.. Direct peers are Quantum BW and OptecNet Deutschland e.V.. SPECTARIS e.V. is listed as an others. EPIC (European Photonics Industry Consortium) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Photonics BW e.V. have an API?
No public API is recorded for Photonics BW e.V..
What industry is Photonics BW e.V. in?
Photonics BW e.V.'s product category is Innovation Cluster Network Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAGALAJ, Quantum Community, Developer Relations & Ecosystem Programs, with a secondary code of HDAGALAM, Quantum Workshops, Bootcamps & Events Providers. Its SIC code is 8600.