Participate in techUK's upcoming Photonics sprint campaign
In September 2025, techUK will launch a 5-month 'sprint campaign' around the development and application of Photonics, or the science and technology of light.
The sprint campaign will convene senior representatives from the UK's Photonics ecosystem, identify the key applications of Photonics technologies across sectors and industries, and explore how the UK can lead on the development and deployment of these technologies.
It will follow techUK's current sprint campaign exploring the future of Robotics & Automation.
📝 Format
The campaign will comprise panel discussions, workshops, roundtables, networking sessions, blogs/vlogs, and tech demos.
It will culminate in a report (much like techUK's Gaming & Esports report), to be launched in 2026, setting out the themes explored during the campaign and featuring member & stakeholder case studies and practical recommendations for industry & Government. This report will aim to advance the sector and begin to address the main challenges and opportunities that have emerged during the campaign.
🎯 Objectives
The sprint campaign will have the following objectives:
To convene the UK's Photonics sector to increase awareness of stakeholders, drive collaboration, and create opportunities for partnerships (format: Photonics Sector Webinar, 10 September)
To identify the main applications of Photonics technologies set to transform UK industries or sectors and drive economic growth and productivity (format: panel discussions and
)
To determine the key barriers to the development, application, and commercialisation of these technologies in the UK (format: workshops and/or roundtables)
To develop then share a set of recommendations for industry and Government to ensure the UK harnesses its world-leading Photonics research and expertise with the ambition of leading on the Photonics applications and technologies of the future (format: report)
🔍 How to get involved
techUK member organisations and wider stakeholders such as Government, universities, and third-sector organisations are invited to get involved in the campaign by:
Shaping its focus and content
Speaking on panels or at roundtables
Partnering on the delivery of events
Writing or recording thought leadership content
Hosting or attending workshops
Sponsoring the campaign or specific events
👋 Get in touch!
Rory Daniels
Senior Programme Manager, Emerging Technologies
Contact Rory at rory.daniels@techuk.org to get involved in this sprint campaign or find out more about techUK's future activity across Photonics or Emerging Technologies / Innovation more widely.
You can also find Rory on LinkedIn, where he regularly posts about emerging tech, here.
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’.
