NORLASE APS

Their core work

NORLASE is a Danish SME that develops compact, high-power diode laser systems with frequency conversion capabilities. Their core business centers on miniaturizing powerful laser sources — taking diode-based laser technology and engineering it into smaller, more practical form factors. They progressed from feasibility (SME Instrument Phase 1) through full commercialization development (Phase 2) of their CoDiS laser platform, and also developed micro-pulsed diode laser systems (MILAS) with applications in the security domain.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

NORLASE's H2020 trajectory follows a classic SME Instrument scale-up arc over a short 2015–2017 window. They started in 2015 with a Phase 1 feasibility study for their CoDiS compact laser platform, then secured significant Phase 2 funding (EUR 1.18M) in 2016 to develop and commercialize the technology. By 2017, they branched into micro-pulsed laser variants (MILAS), suggesting a move toward diversifying their laser product line into new application domains like security.

NORLASE appears to have been expanding from a single core laser platform into application-specific variants, though no H2020 activity is recorded after 2017 — their development may have shifted to commercial markets.

How they like to work

NORLASE operates as a self-reliant SME, coordinating all three of its H2020 projects with minimal consortium involvement — only 1 unique partner across 1 country. This is consistent with the SME Instrument model, where small companies drive their own innovation with EU support. Potential partners should expect a company that leads its own agenda rather than integrating into large consortia.

Extremely limited H2020 network — just 1 partner in 1 country across all projects, reflecting the solo-SME nature of their EU funding. This is typical of SME Instrument beneficiaries who use grants for internal product development rather than collaborative research.

What sets them apart

NORLASE occupies a niche at the intersection of high-power laser engineering and miniaturization — making powerful diode lasers compact enough for practical deployment. Their successful progression through both Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the SME Instrument for CoDiS suggests they passed rigorous EU evaluation of both technical feasibility and commercial potential. For partners needing specialized laser sources in compact form factors, they offer direct product development capability rather than just research expertise.

Highlights from their portfolio

• CoDiS
  Secured both Phase 1 (EUR 50K) and Phase 2 (EUR 1.18M) SME Instrument funding — a competitive progression that signals strong commercial viability of their compact laser platform.
• MILAS
  Extends their diode laser expertise into micro-pulsed systems with security applications, demonstrating product line diversification beyond their core CoDiS platform.