BGF, a leading growth capital investor, led the round with funding from existing backers including Octopus Ventures, Northern Gritstone, and Foresight.
According to Phlux the funding will accelerate its expansion into optical communications and sensing industries by leveraging its antimonide-based semiconductor technology – a world first - to deliver faster, more energy-efficient sensor and connectivity systems.
Building on its research, originally begun at the University of Sheffield, Phlux will use the investment to scale its team, ramp up production, and launch two new product ranges targeting optical communications and sensing systems.
Phlux’s ultra-low-noise infrared sensors are set to dramatically improve the performance of communications systems to enable up to 5x higher data rates for free-space and fibre-optic communication systems. Early engineering samples have shown sensitivity improvements of 5dB or more are realisable, compared to current commercial devices.
Additionally, Phlux’s infrared sensors are seen as playing an important role in advanced sensing technologies that include driver-assisted safety features in vehicles, industrial automation, defence and security, and high-precision gas sensing.
Since its £4 million seed funding round led by Octopus Ventures in 2022, the company has built a global, fabless supply chain to address high volume markets and already serves customers in Asia, Europe and North America.
Phlux has ambitions to become the world leader in infrared sensing and with this new funding, will expand its engineering and commercial teams, ramp up production, and accelerate the commercial launch of its new product lines. The company will also deepen partnerships with leading industry players, ensuring widespread adoption of its technology in global communication networks.
Commenting on how the new funds will be used, Phlux CEO, Ben White, said, “This funding comes at a pivotal moment as demand for high-speed optical communication systems is growing enormously. By developing world-class, high-performance infrared sensors, we are enabling industries to push the boundaries of connectivity, efficiency, and security by removing a technology bottleneck that has persisted for over 20 years.”
"Phlux has developed a game-changing technology in a sector that’s long overdue for disruption,” said Luke Rajah, Partner at BGF. “With strong academic roots, early commercial traction, and a compelling roadmap, the team is well-positioned to lead in infrared sensing. Backed by BGF’s deep tech investment experience, we’re excited to support Phlux in scaling globally across the sensing and telecommunications markets."
