Case Study
How Vector Photonics is Redefining Laser Technology from the West of Scotland Science Park
From mobile phones to TVs, the modern world relies on lasers. But high-performing lasers are often expensive, and cheaper lasers are often low performing.
Vector Photonics is filling that gap.
Formed as a University of Glasgow spinout, Vector Photonics is hitting big milestones as part of the West of Scotland Science Park’s burgeoning critical technologies cluster.
Reimagining lasers
Historically, semiconductor lasers have come in two varieties: high performance and high cost, or low performance and low cost. Vector Photonics’ ambition is to build a laser where a lower cost doesn’t compromise performance.
“The lasers we make fill that gap in the middle where you can get the high-performance laser performance, but in a packaging that makes them low cost, like the cheaper lasers,” explains CEO Richard Taylor.
Vector Photonics’ lasers are called photonic crystal surface-emitting lasers (PCSELs). Unlike low-cost vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs), which are limited in optical output power and wavelength, PCSELs combine the in-plane feedback of high-performance edge-emitting lasers with the surface emission of a VCSEL.
By closing this gap, Vector Photonics is opening markets that were previously out of reach. Right now, the market it’s focusing on is communications.
“That includes data centre communications, internet communications, AI infrastructure, and some free-space outdoor comms.”
From university spinout to scaling photonics start-up
Vector Photonics’ success comes from its strong academic foundation and the right access to funding.
The company started life as a University of Glasgow spinout in March 2020, before securing early backing.
“We secured a small amount of government funding at the back end of 2020, and our first investment in 2021.”
In 2024, it received £1.667m in equity investment, including from Scottish Enterprise and the UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund, and £1.27m in research funding.
Since the company was founded, the team has grown from the four original founders to employing 20 staff, with around 12 of those based on site.
Why the West of Scotland Science Park
Vector Photonics’ move to the West of Scotland Science Park in 2021 marked a major milestone in its growth from spinout to scale-up.
After outgrowing its original premises at the University of Glasgow, Vector Photonics needed more space for its next phase of growth.
“We needed somewhere where we could have some laboratories. It was available, it met our requirements, and it was in our budget.”
The premises also allowed the company to accommodate the team’s growing headcount and on-site capabilities. Working with on-site developer Speyroc, they knocked down adjoining walls to make a larger office and lab space.
“We now have two buildings next to each other, and so we're able to expand into the adjacent properties and expand our lab space as well.”
Emitting lasers across the Clyde: Major milestones – and what’s next
2026 has been a year of milestones for Vector Photonics. In April, the company successfully emitted a laser across the River Clyde – from Glasgow Science Centre to The Clydeside Distillery – using a system built by Fraunhofer UK.
Paying homage to Glasgow’s history of whisky-making and success in developing optical technology, the event marked the first successful public demonstration of photonic crystal surface-emitting laser (PCSEL) technology for optical communication outside of a lab.
Now, Vector Photonics is eyeing future expansion and forming new partnerships.
“We’re going to raise Series A funding, which will allow us to continue to grow the team and expand operations. We're looking to expand customer interactions and grow revenues.
“We've got some quite large companies who are interested in what we're doing.”
A long-term vision for photonics
While the company is currently focused on communications, it hopes the technology can be used for “eventually everything”.
It’s a bold ambition – but one that reflects the wider ambition of the Glasgow City Region’s photonics sector.
“It’s the UK’s biggest industry that nobody’s heard of. It’s billions of pounds of economic value in the UK, and it’s a real strength of the UK.”
The West of Scotland Science Park is proud to support Vector Photonics at this pivotal stage, providing the lab and office space the company needs to grow.