Phlux Technology

Core components are blocking innovation

Avalanche photodiodes (APDs) are highly sensitive semiconductor detectors. They convert optical signals into electrical ones, sitting at the heart of technologies such as LiDAR, laser rangefinders and fibre-optic telecommunications.

The underlying detector technology has barely changed in decades, but there is huge demand for systems with improved performance. As a result, system designers are increasingly constrained by issues like sensitivity, noise and thermal instability. Whether it’s extending the range of LiDAR, improving resolution in industrial sensing, or enabling the next generation of 50 gigabit fibre communications, progress is now limited by the photodiode itself, not by software or system design. Long-term consequences of these constraints are network inefficiency, limited deployment of autonomous systems, and increased energy consumption.

Phlux Technology is addressing this challenge. Spun-out of the University of Sheffield, Phlux has developed a proprietary material, now incorporated into a range of industry standard form factor products, that delivers a step-change in sensitivity compared with best-in-class devices. This will unlock new levels of performance across sensing and optical communications.

A drop-in upgrade with outsized impact

Phlux has developed a new class of APDs, with dramatically higher sensitivity, based on a novel AlGaAsSb (Aluminium Gallium Arsenide Antimonide) compound semiconductor material. This material enables Phlux’s APDs to operate with much greater signal amplification (around 12x higher gain), generating significantly less noise than incumbent technologies.

Crucially, these performance improvements can be achieved with existing system designs. Phlux’s devices operate in standard wavelength ranges, fit existing form factors, and can be produced in established semiconductor foundries. For customers, this means a simple upgrade, with major system-level benefits, including:

• Longer range
• Higher data rates
• Lower power consumption
• Reduced overall system cost

Why we invested in Phlux

In 2025, Phlux secured a £9 million Series A funding round, led by our Early Stage team, to drive its expansion into the optical communications and sensing markets. In Phlux, we saw a clear, differentiated proposition and a compelling path to scalable growth:

Strong early demand across large markets

Phlux’s technology is relevant across a range of fast-growing markets, from sensing and autonomy to telecoms and data infrastructure. The company has already won commercial contracts with multiple customers, which is impressive for a company at this stage and driven by the team’s customer-centric approach.

Protected by IP

Phlux has built a strong intellectual property (IP) position, combining patents with deep process know-how that creates meaningful barriers to entry. Our diligence highlighted the maturity of the company’s IP strategy and its importance in protecting long-term value.

Built to scale

The company operates a fabless model and is scaling manufacturing with leading industry partners, enabling volume production without heavy capital investment. This significantly reduces execution risk and supports rapid global adoption.

A team we believe in

Phlux Founder and CEO Ben White combines deep technical insight with strong appetite and ability to learn and surround himself with experienced operators. Since spinning out the company, he has built a team with real depth across product, operations and commercial execution. We believe Ben and his team have the potential to build something truly world-class.

Phlux is exactly the kind of deep tech opportunity we’re excited to back: a fundamental technology breakthrough, clear customer demand, and a realistic path to scale. It has the potential to become a critical supplier of next-generation photonic components, enabling advances across sensing, communications and beyond, and we’re thrilled to be supporting the team on their growth journey.