Luceda Photonics

TLDR

Luceda Photonics was a Dendermonde-based spinoff of UGent, VUB, and imec providing the IPKISS photonic IC design software platform, acquired by Semitronix in 2025.

Overview

Founded in 2014 and spun out of Ghent University, VUB, and imec, Luceda Photonics developed IPKISS, a widely used software platform for designing photonic integrated circuits (PICs). IPKISS provides a Python-based design environment that became a reference tool for photonics researchers and engineers globally, enabling the design of complex optical circuits for datacom, sensing, and quantum applications.

In 2025, Luceda Photonics was acquired by Semitronix, integrating its design software capabilities into a broader photonics value chain. The acquisition reflects the consolidation taking place in the photonic EDA (electronic design automation) market as demand for PICs scales.

Luceda's toolchain connects to the broader Belgian photonics ecosystem including Sentea and Thema Foundries, as well as the research infrastructure at imec and Ghent University that spawned it.

Key People

• Erwin De Baetselier - Founder and CEO