SPhotonix adds senior hires to scale 5D optical memory

Moving from a pre-seed funding stage into a rapid scaling phase, SPhotonix has strengthened its leadership team with two senior appointments following a successful USD $4.5 million investment round.

The company, which specialises in 5D optical memory and sophisticated optics, has named Masaaki Sakakura as Principal Scientist and Konstantinas Zakalskis as Head of Growth for Advanced Optics. This strategic expansion comes as the firm continues to develop its proprietary approach to long-term data storage, which utilises precision laser writing within glass to ensure archival longevity.

The recruitment of Masaaki Sakakura represents a significant coup for the organisation, as he joins directly from Microsoft's high-profile Project Silica. Having previously focused on the research and development of optical storage for archival purposes, Sakakura brings extensive expertise in ultrafast light-matter interaction and femtosecond laser processing.

His background in photonic micro and nanostructuring is expected to bolster SPhotonix's technical capabilities as they refine their data storage solutions and market their FemtoEtch technology, which provides specialised products and services for the fabrication of advanced optical devices.

Research background

In its announcement, SPhotonix referenced Sakakura's work at the University of Southampton and Microsoft Research Cambridge. It said he played a central role in advancing optical glass storage technologies for long-term archival data.

The company said Sakakura's work included inventions related to data writing in 5D glass storage. It said the work addressed physical barriers in the field and contributed to both scientific understanding and practical implementation.

Zakalskis joins from QS Lasers, where he served as Chief Sales Officer. SPhotonix said he has more than 15 years of experience in optical device fabrication.

SPhotonix linked the Head of Growth remit to its advanced optics activity. The company referenced traditional and emerging sectors, including space technology, as areas where it sees demand for optical device fabrication.

Funding context

SPhotonix has positioned the hires alongside its recent pre-seed raise. It said the round was oversubscribed and led by Creator Fund and XTX Ventures. The company also framed the raise as the result of two decades of research into 5D optical memory.

The firm described itself as the team behind what it calls the world's first 5D optical crystal capable of storing the human genome and the entire Wikipedia. It has previously worked on projects involving data preservation in crystal, including a collaboration with GOG on video game preservation.

SPhotonix operates at the intersection of data storage and optics manufacturing. It markets long-term storage in glass as a response to increasing volumes of digital information and the constraints of existing storage approaches. It also offers fused silica polarisation optics products, which it describes as durable and precise.

Management comments

Sakakura commented on how he sees the scope of the company's technology beyond storage.

"Beyond data storage, the core technologies of SPhotonix have enormous potential in other fields. I'm excited to be part of the team as we look to grow our proposition, build solutions that help meet global challenges and continue to make new breakthroughs in data storage and optic solutions that are world-leading, solution driven and pioneering," said Masaaki Sakakura, Principal Scientist, SPhotonix.

Zakalskis focused on optics manufacturing and how customers might apply SPhotonix products.

"SPhotonics has started to revolutionize optic device fabrication. The potential for our advanced optics products and the technology continues to build and I look forward to working together with the lab team and our partners to show organisations how to use their optics differently to increase precision and performance," said Zakalskis.

SPhotonix is led by CEO Ilya Kazansky. The company said Prof. Peter Kazansky, inventor of FemtoEtch, serves as Chief Scientific Officer.

Kazansky said the company has begun executing a growth plan after securing funding.

"Since securing our funding at the end of last year, SPhotonix has been able to execute its strategic growth plan. This includes making significant hires which will enable us to capitalise on the technology developments we continue to make and branch into new commercial avenues. We are thrilled to add the experience and expertise of Masaaki and Konstantina's to our team as we enter this exciting new chapter for 5D memory crystal and data storage solutions and continue to push the possibilities of our technology," said Ilya Kazansky, CEO, SPhotonix.

SPhotonix said the new appointments would contribute to its work in 5D optical memory and its advanced optics offering as it expands commercial activity following the USD $4.5 million pre-seed round.