Building Sweden’s Photonics Future — Together

Swedish Photonics Excellence Cluster

November 10, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 2 minutes

The goal is clear: by 2035, Sweden should be internationally recognised as a leader in photonics-enabled innovation — driving sustainable growth, competitiveness, and technological renewal across energy, health, quantum, manufacturing, and defence.

To reach this vision, PhotonicSweden and RISE, supported by Vinnova, are now leading the Swedish Photonics Excellence Cluster initiative — a national effort to strengthen collaboration, visibility, and innovation across the Swedish photonics ecosystem.

Over the coming months, we’ll be engaging with organisations across Sweden to co-create a shared vision, identify synergies, and build a long-term strategy for excellence.

The planning phase will deliver several key outcomes:

  • A comprehensive mapping of the Swedish photonics ecosystem — from companies and research infrastructures to end-users.

  • Identification and prioritisation of innovation areas where Sweden can achieve international leadership.

  • A governance and financing model for the future cluster.

  • A talent and skills development strategy to secure the next generation of photonics expertise.

  • A startup and scaleup framework linked to incubators, accelerators, and science parks.

  • A joint vision and roadmap that positions Swedish photonics internationally.

As part of this process, we are also creating pilot Knowledge Hubs in key sectors — such as biotech, quantum, and security — to identify opportunities and “best practices” for photonics-enabled innovation. These hubs will bring together representatives from industry, academia, system integrators, and end-users to develop technology and business roadmaps and to share best practices.

If your organisation develops, applies, or benefits from light-based technologies, we warmly invite you to join us. Your input will help shape the 10-year strategy that defines Sweden’s role in the global photonics landscape.

 Together, we’re building Sweden’s photonics future — stronger, smarter, and more connected than ever.

/PhotonicSweden