The European Photonics Industry Consortium (EPIC) plays a central role in shaping the future of photonics in Europe. Its mission is to connect, promote, and support the growth of the photonics ecosystem, bringing together companies, research institutions, and innovators to transform technological advances into industrial success.
A key pillar of this mission is the EPIC Summit—a high-level gathering of industry leaders designed to foster collaboration, address strategic challenges, and accelerate business opportunities. Representing around 800 companies across Europe, EPIC reflects the diversity and strength of the photonics sector.
A Unique Industry Gathering in France
The EPIC Summit 2026 in France once again demonstrated the breadth and dynamism of the photonics industry. The event brought together leaders from across the spectrum—from global corporations such as Zeiss, Jenoptik to highly innovative startups.
One striking characteristic of the industry is its structure: the average photonics company employs fewer than 50 people, highlighting its highly specialized and innovation-driven nature. In this landscape, Axetris, with nearly 200 employees, stands among the larger and more established photonics companies in Europe, combining agility with industrial scale.
From Innovation to Industrialization
The summit featured a series of compelling keynote speeches, including contributions from Ashkan Seyedi (NVIDIA) and Chuck Mattera (former CEO of Coherent). Their message was clear and consistent:
The photonics industry is entering a phase where success will no longer be defined solely by R&D breakthroughs. Instead, the focus must shift toward:
- High-growth scalability
- Manufacturability
- Reliable delivery performance
Speakers emphasized the urgent need for the ecosystem to prepare for what was described as an “avalanche” of photonics demand in the coming years—driven by applications such as AI, data infrastructure, sensing, and advanced manufacturing.
Axetris: Ready to Scale with the Market
Axetris is exceptionally well positioned to thrive in this evolving landscape.
With its recent cleanroom expansion, the company is actively strengthening its manufacturing capabilities to meet increasing demand. Combined with a strong and growing position in data interconnect technologies and a long-standing foundation in industrial applications, Axetris brings together the key ingredients required for scalable success.
This balanced approach—bridging innovation with industrial excellence—aligns perfectly with the direction outlined at the EPIC Summit.
Looking Ahead
The EPIC Summit 2026 reinforced a clear industry trajectory: photonics is moving from promise to large-scale deployment. Companies that can combine technological expertise with operational excellence will be the ones leading this transformation.
Axetris is proud to be part of this journey—and ready to help shape the future of photonics.
