Lighting the Way: How UK Innovation in Quantum and Photonics Can Drive the Tech Economy
Contributing to quantum and photonics technology development can seem daunting and inaccessible.
At Exotopic, our mission is simple: unlock science and technology to create real economic and societal value, and these are some lessons we’ve learn that apply to working quantum and photonics:
Don’t be scared off by the technology. Yes, it requires technical understanding, but our business focuses on partnering with companies that fill our technical gaps.
Commercial opportunity is the pull for technology development. Discover the commercial need, find technology and partners which help to meet it, rather than pushing an in-house technology.
Be creative in funding tech development. There is a mix of government and private capital willing to support industry to solve problems. Find an application which may sit across sectors and be creative in funding the same technology to solve multiple problems.
At Exotopic we have two case study projects which prove that an innovative UK SME can develop quantum and photonics technology. We’re only one piece of the puzzle but firmly believe that with the right strategy and support, many more SMEs, primes, and universities can help the UK lead the global charge.
Photonics for Space-Based Communications
One of the most promising technology frontier is photonics, which is poised to become a cornerstone of the future global economy. Photonic technologies can deliver the bandwidth, speed, and precision needed for next-generation optical communication systems - enabling secure, high-capacity systems that support applications ranging from global connectivity to real-time data acquisition. These advances drive innovation across the UK’s world-leading sectors, including plasma research, quantum technologies and advanced semiconductors.
Exotopic saw a problem based on its understanding of space trends. More applications such as manufacturing in space will need spacecraft to re-enter the atmosphere in a controlled manner, and they need constantly available communication and control. How can this be done through the challenging mechanical vibration and plasma environment during re-entry?
We put these ideas into a European Space Agency proposal and now lead a feasibility called ‘Hypercomm - A Communication System for Hypersonic Vehicles Travelling Through Atmosphere’. The project evaluates the easibility of Free-Space Optical Communications (FSOC), from satellites and ground stations, as a solution for providing reliable and consistent communications with re-entry vehicles when travelling at hypersonic speeds through atmosphere.
We have brought together a strong UK consortium to work on this study, combining a wealth of experience and expertise:
The Aero-Physics Laboratory at the University of Glasgow, globally recognised for its plasma simulation research, is leading the scientific investigation into atmospheric transmission and turbulence - a major barrier to establishing optical links from both ground and orbit.
Lumino Technologies, a fast-growing UK SME pursuing disruptive innovations in optical communications and quantum networking, is analysing the FSOC link budgets, defining technical requirements, and evaluating compliance of products currently available.
This study has allowed us to engage with key photonics and hypersonics stakeholders across the UK and Europe to accurately define a Concept of Operations (ConOps) and business case to bring the solutions to market. With this, we want to move beyond a feasibility study to working with partners to develop new technologies based on a validated need.
Building the Future Workforce: Quantum Education at Scale
We all know that the UK STEM fields have a skills gap, and this gets even more pronounced in highly technical, niche areas. But a lot of knowledge exists in traditional fields (e.g., high reliability electronics) which the UK has built up in long-standing technology areas such as space and nuclear. But they need to be brought together, tailored, and applied to new technologies which need similar underlying skills bases.
Exotopic leveraged existing relationships with Nascent Semiconductor and Innovate UK to co-develop and deliver an educational programme focused on upskilling the current and future workforce in quantum technology. This exploits significant expertise built up from traditional semiconductor knowledge applied to challenging applications. Through the Nascent Academy (nascent.academy/quals), we’re creating accessible, high-quality learning experiences that empower professionals to step confidently into the world of quantum sensing, communications, and computing.
A National Opportunity: UK Innovation for Global Leadership
Photonics and quantum are not just buzzwords; they’re the building blocks of the future. And through partnerships that bring together SMEs, government and academia, combining scientific excellence, technological vision, and market focus, the UK has a unique opportunity to lead in both. At Exotopic, we’re helping to demonstrate this potential in practice, and to sustain this momentum, we believe the UK needs to double down on our strengths:
Back world-leading research: Institutions like the University of Glasgow are not just national assets; they are global leaders. We must continue to fund and empower these centres of excellence.
Enable agile SMEs: Companies like Exotopic, Nascent Semiconductors and Lumino Technologies prove that small, focused teams can deliver big technological breakthroughs. Giving them the support and visibility they deserve is key to scaling and maintaining the world-leading position of the UK in technology and innovation.
Bridge tech and markets: At Exotopic, our role is often to translate complex technology, innovation and market requirements into systems and services that are commercially viable and investor ready. This function is essential if we want the UK to capture long-term value from its R&D.
With engineering and scientific backgrounds, the Exotopic team engages directly with UK technologies and challenges, delivering advice and innovation grounded in what’s feasible and impactful. We work with organisations across government, industry and academia, supporting science and deep tech sectors. Whether you’re a shaping policy and investment, developing or scaling a new technology, or bringing research into the real world — we provide the insights, frameworks, and tools to make it happen.
If you’d like to work with us, learn more, or explore how to scale your tech into photonics, quantum, space, dual-use and beyond markets, get in touch.
techUK – Unleashing UK Tech and Innovation
The UK is home to emerging technologies that have the power to revolutionise entire industries. From quantum to semiconductors; from gaming to the New Space Economy, they all have the unique opportunity to help prepare for what comes next.
techUK members lead the development of these technologies. Together we are working with Government and other stakeholders to address tech innovation priorities and build an innovation ecosystem that will benefit people, society, economy and the planet - and unleash the UK as a global leader in tech and innovation.
For more information, or to get in touch, please visit our Innovation Hub and click ‘contact us’.
