Brazil, known for its leadership in innovation across Latin America, has been making significant advancements in high-tech sectors such as aerospace, energy, and telecommunications. In this context, photonics has emerged as a key strategic area, supported by a growing ecosystem of over 300 companies and 5,000 professionals nationwide. To further develop this promising field, the UNICAMP Integrated Photonics Laboratory (LIF) organized the 3rd Workshop on Industry and Entrepreneurship in Photonics, held on October 31 and November 1, 2024.
Supported by the IEEE Photonics Society and Brazil’s Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MCTI) under the SISFOTON program, the event brought together national and international experts to discuss global trends, promote entrepreneurship, and strengthen connections between academia and industry. The varied program included lectures, panels, and business model competitions that directly engaged students, researchers, and entrepreneurs eager to transform knowledge into innovation.
A Year of Preparation and Engagement
The workshop was the culmination of a year filled with initiatives organized by LIF to promote entrepreneurship in photonics. Highlights included two “Lunch and Learn” sessions that combined Lean Canvas and Pitch training with networking opportunities during lunch, as well as two intensive training sessions on these topics. The webinar “From Academia to Market” showcased inspiring stories of researchers transitioning to industry. These events laid the groundwork for the workshop’s success, creating a fertile environment for the development of new ideas and connections.
Day One: Immersion in Entrepreneurship and Innovation
The first day of the workshop focused on entrepreneurship and innovation, featuring practical sessions on design thinking, business model creation, and communication strategies. Industry specialists discussed topics such as intellectual property protection, funding, and the legal challenges faced by startups. The day culminated with the LIF Empreende Competition, where teams presented innovative solutions based on laboratory-developed technologies. Awards were given in two categories: Best Business Model, won by Glass Glass, and Popular Vote, awarded to NIT SL Mandic. The competition highlighted participants’ creativity and entrepreneurial potential while connecting them with a panel of industry leaders and academic experts.
Day Two: Global Perspectives and Regional Connections
On the second day, the focus shifted to promoting global ecosystems within the photonics industry. Renowned experts from Israel, the United States, and Europe shared successful strategies from their countries. Concurrently, the Startup Mundi Challenge utilized gamified simulations to develop skills in innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainability, with winners receiving a trophy. Panels discussing advancements in Brazil and Latin America emphasized the region’s growing role in the global photonics landscape. A special session celebrated women’s contributions to photonics entrepreneurship, honoring Dr. Débora Marcondes Bastos Pereira Milori and Dr. Denise Maria Zezell for their outstanding contributions to science and innovation.
Strengthening Photonics in Brazil
The event underscored Brazil’s commitment to establishing itself as a leader in photonics technology. With a comprehensive program uniting experts, students, and industry leaders, the workshop highlighted the critical role of bridging academia and industry for the country’s socioeconomic development. Professor Newton Frateschi, coordinator of the UNICAMP Integrated Photonics Laboratory and the Laboratory for Device Research (LPD) at IFGW, as well as the event organizer, summarized its impact:
“This workshop demonstrated how photonics can profoundly impact the country’s socioeconomic development. It was amazing to witness the interaction between academia and industry, creating solutions capable of turning ideas into real businesses,” he stated.
Honoring Brazil’s Photonics Pioneers
The workshop’s closing panel paid tribute to the pioneers of photonics in Brazil. Dr. Francisco Prince shared his contributions to the development of semiconductor lasers in the country, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and the scientific foundations established by his predecessors:
“Last month, I had the pleasure of participating in the IEEE workshop at UNICAMP, invited by Professor Newton Frateschi. The theme was the pioneering spirit in Brazilian photonics, and I prepared a talk on the fabrication of second-generation (InGaAsP) lasers at UNICAMP. This work began in 1977 and concluded in 1981. The entire process for InGaAsP lasers at 1300 nm was developed and later transferred to CPqD, a research institution that supported the project. This was only possible because, before me, many people laid the foundations that supported this activity. The Department of Applied Physics, where the Laboratory for Device Research was located, was initiated by Professor José Ellis Ripper Filho, who received a well-deserved tribute during the workshop’s closing session.”
Professor José Ellis Ripper Filho, widely regarded as one of the founders of optical device research in Brazil, closed the event with an emotional reflection on his career and the impact of his work:
“I was deeply moved by the tribute. It was an emotional moment for me to realize the scale that the photonics and optoelectronics fields have reached. The entire field of optoelectronics originated from the program we initiated in Brazil. I was astonished to see during the event that all the major laboratories in this segment across Latin America and even Mexico originated from our studies and work. It was deeply moving!”
The panel also included the participation of Dr. João Batista Rosolem, coordinator of the Sisfóton Integrator Laboratory at CPQD, and Dr. Sergio Celaschi, division chief at CTI Renato Archer, both recognized for their contributions to the development of the Brazilian Optical Fiber Amplifier. Their speeches emphasized the fundamental role of national research in advancing technology in the country and across Latin America.
Reflecting on the progress of science in Brazil, Professor José Ellis Ripper Filho noted the challenges and achievements over the decades:
“We, as researchers and professors, have already taken on the role of surviving against all odds, advancing even without legs to stand on. That is the story of building science in Brazil. But we are here because we have become self-sustaining, reallocating resources, securing funding, and making progress even when the path is uncertain.”
Through events like this, Brazil is taking decisive steps to consolidate its position as one of the most promising hubs for photonics advancement, connecting innovation, entrepreneurship, and social impact.
Article written by: Julia Bergamaschi, Journalist and Science Communicator at UNICAMP Integrated Photonics Laboratory (LIF), Campinas, SP, Brazil
Main Photo Caption: Dr. Sergio Celaschi (Division Chief at CTI Renato Archer | Developing the Brazilian Fiber Optical Amplifier)
