VEREIN SCHWEIZER LASER UND PHOTONIK NETZ

Their core work

SLN (Swiss Laser and Photonics Network) is a Swiss industry association that represents and connects the photonics community at national and European level. They work on shaping EU photonics strategy through the Photonics21 public-private partnership, support SME access to photonics innovation services, and run career development and training programs for the photonics workforce. Their practical contribution is bridging Swiss photonics companies — especially SMEs — with European research and innovation ecosystems.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In 2015–2018, SLN focused squarely on European photonics governance: coordinating the Photonics21 technology platform, connecting regional member states, and shaping value chain strategy. From 2020 onward, the focus shifted dramatically toward people and SMEs — career training, entrepreneurship support, gender inclusion, and helping smaller companies access photonics innovation through digital innovation hubs. The organization moved from policy coordination to hands-on ecosystem support.

SLN is moving from governance and strategy roles toward practical impact — training people and helping SMEs adopt photonics, making them a useful partner for projects needing industry outreach and skills development.

How they like to work

SLN has never coordinated a project — they consistently join as a participant or third party in large consortia (96 unique partners across 5 projects). This is characteristic of a national association that provides network access, dissemination reach, and industry voice rather than leading technical research. With partners in 19 countries, they function as a connector node bringing Swiss photonics industry perspective into broad European initiatives.

Extensive European network with 96 unique consortium partners across 19 countries, built through participation in large-scale photonics coordination actions. Their network is heavily centered on the Photonics21 ecosystem and European Digital Innovation Hubs.

What sets them apart

SLN is Switzerland's voice for photonics in European research policy — a rare national association that has been embedded in Photonics21 PPP strategy from its early implementation through to the current partnership phase. For consortium builders, they offer direct access to Swiss photonics SMEs and industry contacts, plus experience in workforce development and innovation support activities that satisfy EU requirements for broad industry engagement.

Highlights from their portfolio

• PhotonHub Europe
  Large-scale Digital Innovation Hub for photonics (running until 2026), providing one-stop-shop SME support — SLN's longest and most application-oriented involvement.
• BestPhorm21
  Focused on European photonics sovereignty and research-to-market translation, reflecting SLN's shift toward commercialization and strategic industrial positioning.
• CARLA
  Dedicated photonics career program with explicit gender empowerment goals — shows SLN expanding beyond policy into workforce inclusivity.