SPARC Foundry held the first session of its international Advisory Board this Monday, an independent body made up of leading experts in the fields of semiconductors, integrated photonics, the technology industry, and European institutions. This Advisory Board will support the strategic development of both the project and the company, and will help strengthen its position within the European semiconductor ecosystem.
The creation of this Advisory Board is part of SPARC Foundry’s international development process, an industrial project that aims to become Spain’s first integrated photonics foundry based on compound semiconductors. The project seeks to contribute to strengthening Europe’s technological and industrial capabilities in a sector considered strategic for competitiveness, technological autonomy, and economic security.
The Advisory Board will provide strategic guidance in areas such as technological development, industrial positioning, the evolution of the global semiconductor market, and connections with European innovation ecosystems. It will also help strengthen the project’s links with research centers, technology companies, and key institutional stakeholders at the international level.
The group of experts is composed of internationally recognized professionals with extensive experience in scientific, industrial, and European fields:
- Michael Lebby, senior photonics industry executive, bringing extensive experience in market strategy, partnerships, and business development.
- Liam Barry, professor of photonic systems, contributing strong expertise in photonic systems, optical communications, and talent development.
- Guillaume Binet, expert in photonic manufacturing and process development, with a strong focus on industrialization and fab readiness.
- José Manuel Silva, former Director-General at the European Commission, with deep experience in European R&D policy, public funding instruments, and institutional strategy.
- José Capmany, professor of photonics and internationally recognized leader in integrated photonics.
According to the company’s CEO, Francisco Díaz-Otero, the launch of the Advisory Board “allows us to incorporate international expertise and strategic vision at a key moment for the project’s development. Europe needs to strengthen all its industrial capabilities in critical technologies, and SPARC Foundry aims to contribute to this goal from Spain. The establishment of this advisory body reflects the organization’s international dimension. The industry already positions us as a new node within the European semiconductor ecosystem, in key technologies for applications in telecommunications, defense, space, artificial intelligence, among others.”