University of Technology Sydney
UTS is Photon Foundry's research origin, connecting its founder-led scientific foundation with the company's productisation program.
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A UTS spin-out developing hBN materials and devices
Photon Foundry combines hBN research, nanofabrication and deep-tech commercialisation, with development directions in quantum photonics and semiconductor device stacks.
FOUNDED
2025
Deep-tech university spin-out.
BASED IN
Sydney, Australia
Research and operations.
UTS RELATIONSHIP
UTS spin-out
The company currently uses UTS laboratories for research and development.
Research ecosystem
Research continuity, commercial focus
Photon Foundry builds on a decade of founder-led, peer-reviewed UTS research in hBN quantum emitters, including foundational 2016 and 2020 papers on emitters and optically-addressable spin defects in hBN. The company is building on this foundation through materials development and characterisation for quantum photonics and semiconductor devices.
ARC Centre of Excellence for Transformative Meta-Optical Systems
Milos and Igor are TMOS Chief Investigators, linking their nanophotonics work to a wider Australian research and translation ecosystem.
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A founding team built for scientific translation
Three founders combine deep-tech commercialisation, nanofabrication and scientific leadership. Their public profiles and the selected work on the Science page provide independent verification.
Dr. Byron Villis — CEO
Quantum physicist and deep-tech executive with more than 15 years across solid-state quantum devices, experimental hardware and commercialisation.
- Research and hardware experience across CQC2T, UCL's London Centre for Nanotechnology, CEA-Leti and the University of Sydney's Microsoft-backed Quantum Nanoscience Laboratory.
- At Archer Materials, worked on resonator-based single-electron-spin measurement and supporting experimental hardware.
Public profiles
Prof. Milos Toth — CTO
UTS Professor and TMOS Chief Investigator specialising in hBN defect engineering, deterministic emitter fabrication and nanophotonic integration.
- Spent seven years at FEI Company developing nanofabrication, microscopy and analysis hardware and techniques. Named inventor on related FEI-assigned patents.
- Transitioning full time to Photon Foundry in October 2026.
Prof. Igor Aharonovich — CSO
UTS Professor and quantum-nanophotonics leader whose work spans hBN emitters, optically active spin defects and nanophotonic devices.
- Established the UTS nanophotonics research group; TMOS Chief Investigator; ARC Future Fellow; Fellow of Optica and SPIE.
- Remains university-based, maintaining research continuity with Photon Foundry.
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