One Silicon Chip Photonics Raises $6 Million in Series A Funding
One Silicon Chip Photonics, based in Montréal, has successfully closed a $6 million Series A funding round. This financing was led by New Science Ventures with participation from Emerging Ventures and 2050 Capital.
The company, founded by Kazem Zandi, focuses on developing photonic gyroscopes and inertial measurement units (IMUs) for applications where Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) are unreliable or unavailable. Their technology is particularly useful for autonomous vehicles and robots operating in environments where traditional GPS signals are compromised.
Funding Details and Investors
The Series A round, completed on October 2, 2026, was an all-equity, all-primary capital raise. New Science Ventures took the lead in this investment, with additional support from Emerging Ventures and 2050 Capital. This infusion of capital aims to propel the company's efforts in refining and commercializing its sensor technology.
Strategic Use of Funds
The funds are earmarked for advancing the commercialization of One Silicon Chip Photonics' existing products, as well as developing next-generation offerings. The company aims to miniaturize fiber-optic gyroscopes (FOGs), making them more accessible and efficient for various navigation applications. According to COO Alex Lintott, "We want to take a [FOG] and shrink that down onto a chip. That’ll be a game-changer for us and the industry."
Company Vision and Market Impact
Since its inception in 2015, One Silicon Chip Photonics has been working towards creating innovative solutions for navigation challenges. The company's focus on integrating photonic and MEMS technologies into compact, efficient systems positions it to significantly impact sectors reliant on precise navigation tools, especially in GNSS-denied environments.
Kazem Zandi, the company's founder and CEO, brings a wealth of expertise to the table, with a PhD in engineering physics and numerous patents in advanced microsystems and integrated photonics.
As the company moves forward with its new funding, it remains committed to enhancing the capabilities of its navigation systems, offering more reliable alternatives to traditional GPS-based solutions.