My favourite sport to watch in television is the Biathlon – combining the precision skill of rifle shooting with the endurance of cross-country skiing, while showcasing good sportsmanship and collaboration across countries to sponsor and promote the sport to new and emerging countries. They call it the biathlon family.
Having attended the EPIC AGM in Barcelona, it seems to me, that we have the same sportsmanship and collaboration in our photonics family. Networking between small and large, established and start-up companies, to find new avenues for value creation for customers and end-users, be they in telecom/datacom, machining, medical, pharma, scientific, renewables, robotics, AR/VR, defence or other industries. Working in photonics for all these industries is a privilege!
With privilege comes responsibility. Photonics can help address many global challenges, but we must work together to create results. With the geopolitical situation having become more volatile and unpredictable, the need for strong photonics ecosystems in Europe has never been stronger. Find ways to strengthen your local and regional ecosystem. Promote new ideas from innovative startup companies to your established customer base. Explore joint product offerings. Offer mentorship and guidance. Build ecosystems, not egosystems, as Martin Roth from AIP Potsdam expressed it at the conference.
The power of innovation increases exponentially with the number of competencies gathered at the table. The best solutions are found in close and trusted dialogue with customers and suppliers. Team up with other photonics companies to bring even more competencies to the table, yielding exceptional insights and possibilities to create outstanding value for current and future customers. This is the power of networking!
Thanks to the EPIC team for an inspirational networking event in Barcelona. Let’s continue to strengthen our networks and work together to unleash the potential of photonics!
Henrik Skov Andersen, CEO at Ibsen Photonics
