Optence e.V. is the sole shareholder of Photonics Hub GmbH. Due to its legal form, the Photonics Hub GmbH is able to implement various services that are paramount to the interest and tasks of the network. It is the economically active part of Optence e.V. and contributes to the financing of selected activities and events.
Founded in 2001 on the initiative of the Federal Ministry for Research (BMBF) as a regional competence network for optical technologies, Optence e.V. is now an established player in the cluster landscape. The 110 members come from Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate and other federal states as well as Switzerland and the Czech Republic. Most of them (over 70%) are small and medium-sized companies. The technical focus lies in the areas
- Optics manufacturing
- Laser technology
- lighting
- Sensors
As a forum for cooperation and knowledge transfer, Optence e.V. mediates contacts between optics companies and research. Our members benefit from personal contacts, information, training and advice. As an "outstanding innovation network" member of the go-cluster of the Federal Ministry of Economics (BMWi) and awarded the Silver Label certificate of the European Cluster Excellence Initiative, our network work now extends far beyond the regional focus.