NATO Innovation Fund Backs CamGraPhIC
NATO Innovation Fund Backs CamGraPhIC to Advance Graphene-Based Transceivers for AI and Telecom
The NATO Innovation Fund has announced a strategic investment in CamGraPhIC Srl, a pioneer in energy-efficient, high-bandwidth optical interconnect technology, as part of a €25 million Series A funding round. CamGraPhIC, a wholly owned subsidiary of 2D Photonics, will leverage the capital to accelerate the development of its graphene-based photonics transceivers—a breakthrough innovation for artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, and next-generation telecom networks.
Backed by Leading Deep Tech Investors
The funding round was co-led by an international group of investors, including CDP Venture Capital, Sony Innovation Fund, Join Capital, Bosch Ventures, Frontier IP Group plc, and Indaco Venture Partners, alongside the NATO Innovation Fund. The investment aligns with NATO’s broader mission to strengthen the deep tech ecosystem across its 24 member nations, particularly in sectors with implications for defense, security, and digital sovereignty.
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A Step Forward for European Tech Sovereignty
CamGraPhIC will use the funding to expand its R&D operations in Pisa and establish a pilot production facility in Milan, positioning Italy—and Europe more broadly—at the forefront of photonic innovation. The company is also collaborating with the Italian Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy via the National Chips Fund, supporting strategic autonomy in semiconductor and optical technology production.
According to the NATO Innovation Fund:
“We are thrilled to be supporting 2D Photonics’ novel approach to building advanced, graphene-based transceiver technology. High-speed and efficient data communication is critical to the security and resilience of the Alliance.”
Why Graphene Matters
CamGraPhIC’s technology replaces traditional silicon photonics with ultra-high-quality graphene, delivering:
• Up to 80% energy savings in data transfer.
• Higher bandwidth density and lower latency—critical for AI applications.
• Improved thermal tolerance, operating efficiently across wide temperature ranges without requiring complex cooling systems.
• Cost-effective manufacturing enabled by a simpler device architecture.
These transceivers are especially optimized for interconnects between GPUs and High Bandwidth Memory (HBM)—a bottleneck in generative AI and high-performance computing workloads. The technology also offers compelling advantages in space, avionics, and automotive systems, where size, speed, and reliability are mission-critical.
Scaling for Global Impact
With this funding, CamGraPhIC will:
• Build out its senior team and technical leadership.
• Begin large-scale production pilots compatible with commercial semiconductor and photonics foundries.
• Expand its commercialization strategy across multiple verticals, from AI and cloud infrastructure to aerospace and defense.
This marks a pivotal moment not only for CamGraPhIC and 2D Photonics, but also for Europe’s ambition to lead in deep tech and next-gen communication infrastructure.
Stay tuned as graphene-based photonics moves from lab to fab, reshaping how data flows through the digital world.
