News: Optoelectronics
10 November 2025
CORNERSTONE and Future Worlds seek applicants for new silicon photonics startup stream
CORNERSTONE Photonics Innovation Centre (C-PIC) — the UK’s dedicated Innovation and Knowledge Centre (IKC) for silicon photonics (affiliated with the University of Southampton and the University of Glasgow, as well as the UK government’s Science and Technology Facilities Council) — has partnered with Future Worlds (the University of Southampton’s startup accelerator) to launch a dedicated Silicon Photonics Stream at a Future Worlds Bootcamp on 29–30 November.
The new stream will give researchers working in silicon photonics the opportunity to explore the commercial potential of their technology through an intensive, fully funded weekend designed to fast-track entrepreneurial thinking. This is a national program open to UK researchers, students, founders and SMEs. Hosted by experienced founders and startup experts, the Bootcamp provides an introduction to startup fundamentals — from validating business ideas to understanding investment pathways and building high-impact ventures.
For some participants, Bootcamp will be a motivational first step towards exploring the business landscape. For others, it could be the start of a longer journey into the Future Worlds Cohort, a six-month acceleration program that offers mentoring, training and a trip to Silicon Valley, culminating in a pitch at Demo Day 2026.
Participants who progress to the Cohort will also have the opportunity to apply for up to £40,000 in equity-free funding for prototyping, technical services, and specialist support, further accelerating their journey from breakthrough research to real-world innovation. This funding aims to remove early barriers to commercialization, helping founders refine their technology, develop demonstrators, and engage potential customers or investors with confidence. Funding is subject to EPSRC eligibility and terms and conditions.
Applications are open now and close on 23 November. To apply for this opportunity, visit https://tinyurl.com/44r5jmnj.
Future Worlds helps University of Southampton researchers, students and graduates to launch and scale startups and spinouts. By connecting aspiring founders with expert mentors, investors, and industry networks, it supports the commercialization of new technologies emerging from the University.
Since its inception, Future Worlds startups have raised over £115m, supporting more than 409jobs across 69 active companies, and helping over 120 aspiring founders every year to take their first steps into entrepreneurship. The new Silicon Photonics program further strengthens that mission – creating a pathway for innovators in one of the UK’s most advanced and high-impact technology sectors. This year Future Worlds celebrates its 10-year anniversary. Over the past decade, Future Worlds has grown into an innovation ecosystem, and its expansion continues with the launch of two new national cohort programs: AI and Photonics. These additions reflect its commitment to nurturing cutting-edge technologies and empowering the next generation of founders and researchers.
The CORNERSTONE Photonics Innovation Centre builds upon the existing CORNERSTONE Foundry, aiming to enhance the openness and availability of silicon photonics. It is intended to foster a commercialization pipeline that nurtures silicon photonics-enabled technologies and companies with the potential to enrich everyday life.
Serving as the UK’s primary technology centre for silicon photonics, the CORNERSTONE Photonics Innovation Centre is dedicated to transforming research into scalable, industry-ready solutions for a range of applications. Its ecosystem of services includes flexible fabrication, design consultancy, standard component libraries, start-up support, networking events, and a dedicated online knowledge hub planned for 2025.
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