This week Cambridge Tech Podcast explores the journey of James Lee, co-founder of Wave Photonics. This startup is revolutionising integrated photonics by developing groundbreaking chip designs that manipulate light for industries like data centres, telecoms, and quantum technology. From a passion for quantum physics to becoming a deep tech entrepreneur, James's story highlights the magic of turning academic brilliance into practical solutions.
Highlights from the Conversation
James Lee’s Journey
James’s academic pedigree spans Oxford and Cambridge, where his love for quantum physics began.
A pivotal moment? Watching a friend leave academia to start a company: “He was smart and motivated, but not impossibly so. It made me realise I could do this too.”
From a stint in quantitative finance to experimenting in his spare time, James took a “big, stupid risk” to build something impactful.
Wave Photonics: The Big Idea
Wave designs chips that guide and manipulate light, using the same processes as semiconductor chip manufacturing.
Applications range from reducing energy consumption in data centres to enabling cutting-edge quantum sensing technologies.
The company’s mission? “To tackle energy and bandwidth problems with high-performance, fabrication-tolerant designs that scale.”
Accelerator Insights
After starting at QTEC, Wave joined accelerators like Berkeley Skydeck and Deep Tech Labs.
On the Silicon Valley experience:
“It makes Cambridge feel sleepy. The optimism and ambition are unmatched.”
Deep Tech Labs stood out for its specialised support: “They were deeply focused on semiconductors, providing tailored advice that was game-changing.”
Key Takeaways
Scaling Deep Tech is a Marathon, Not a Sprint - Early funding rounds and accelerator experiences helped Wave refine its technology before scaling for commercialisation.
James’s advice? "Spend time proving your technology’s value before going big.”
Data Centres and Climate Impact - Photonic technology is critical in reducing the carbon footprint of data centres, which currently emit more CO2 than aviation. Wave’s innovations could drastically cut energy costs and improve efficiency.
Cambridge: A Tech Powerhouse - While Cambridge offers world-class mentors and support, Wave is pulling talent from other hubs like Bristol and Oxford, demonstrating the broader UK tech ecosystem’s strength.
Favourite Quotes
“You get more CO2 from data centres than all of aviation.” – James on why photonics matter.
“Cambridge is great, but the ambition in Silicon Valley is on another level.”
“It’s not about designing one component; it’s about scaling to hundreds of thousands of designs without a human in the loop.”
Why Listen?
This episode is perfect for tech enthusiasts, startup founders, and venture capitalists who are passionate about innovation with real-world impact. From scaling deep tech to navigating international markets, James shares actionable insights for anyone building something ambitious.
To listen and subscribe, search for ‘Cambridge Tech Podcast’ on your favourite podcasting platform or visit cambridgetechpodcast.com.