VanaM Inc. brings agile thin film innovation to the heart of photonics | Luminate Profile

As industries push toward faster, smaller, and more powerful technologies, the demand for advanced materials — particularly thin films — has never been greater. But for startups, research labs and even large companies working at the cutting edge, accessing the right thin film remains a major hurdle. High-performance options are often limited, expensive, or not built for customization, making it difficult to bring breakthrough ideas from the lab to market.

VanaM Inc., a South Korea-based advanced materials startup, is working to remove these barriers. The company has developed a thin-film deposition platform that blends scientific precision with manufacturing flexibility, fueling faster and more collaborative development of complex films than traditional suppliers can achieve.

Born from research, built for industry

Founded in 2022 by Dr. Soodeok Han, VanaM traces its origins to years of research on vanadium dioxide (VO₂), a complex material with promising applications in optics and quantum systems. By overcoming the challenges in VO₂ deposition, the team — composed of Ph.D.-level experts in materials science and semiconductor engineering — laid the groundwork for a broader, more versatile thin film platform.

“We realized the process we developed for VO₂ could be applied to other next-generation materials, and that there was a real market opportunity to do things differently,” said Sahar Ayachi, Chief Strategy Officer at VanaM Inc.

VanaM was created to provide not just materials, but a full development service — from prototyping to batch production.

“We’re not offering off-the-shelf films,” Ayachi said. “We work closely with each customer to design and deliver thin films that meet their exact application needs.”

A better fit for the emerging tech landscape

What sets VanaM apart is its ability to operate in the space between academic labs and large, rigid foundries. The company is agile enough to support early-stage R&D, but also capable of helping customers ramp up for manufacturing.

“Too often, you either get a research partner who can’t scale with you, or a supplier who’s not built for customization,” Ayachi said. “We’ve positioned VanaM to offer both agility and practical commercial value.”

That positioning is proving effective in fast-moving sectors like quantum photonics and advanced optics, where time-to-market and technical precision are critical. From anti-reflection coatings and DBR mirrors to low-loss waveguides and Superconducting Nanowire Single Photon Detectors (SNSPDs), VanaM’s films help customers build devices that are lighter, faster, and more energy-efficient.

Choosing Rochester and Luminate

VanaM joined Luminate NY in 2025 as part of its strategic push into the U.S. The company had recently launched a second major initiative focused on optical thin films and was looking for the right environment to scale that work.

“The moment we connected with Luminate, we knew it was a good fit,” Ayachi said. “We weren’t just looking for capital — we were looking for a world-class ecosystem in optics, photonics, and advanced manufacturing.”

Since joining the program, VanaM has gained access to valuable mentorship, industry connections and technical insight. Ayachi credits the accelerator with helping the company better understand the dynamics of the U.S. market and sharpen its commercialization strategy.

“Luminate exposed us to real customer expectations and helped us position our technology for success in the U.S.,” she said. “It also helped us expand our thinking — moving beyond optics into broader quantum photonics applications like quantum computers, sensors, and communication.”

What’s next: Solid U.S. footing, deeper industry partnerships

VanaM is focused on building a strong U.S. presence, starting in Rochester. Plans are underway to establish a local subsidiary and launch a thin film micro-foundry that will serve startups, academic labs, and companies developing next-generation photonic and electronic devices.

“We want to be a partner for innovation here,” said Ayachi. “That means being close to our customers and building the infrastructure that lets us respond quickly, whether they need one prototype or a pilot-scale run.”

Over the next year, the company will also work to expand its business development efforts, form strategic partnerships with universities and national labs, and raise investment to accelerate R&D and market entry.

If VanaM receives follow-on funding from Luminate, Ayachi says the company will move quickly to put that support into action. The top priorities include opening the Rochester-based micro-foundry, growing the U.S. team, and securing certifications and IP protections needed to serve both domestic and international markets.

“Follow-on funding would give us the momentum to start delivering real value to customers in the U.S.,” she said. “It would allow us to move from being a global startup with U.S. interest to a U.S.-engaged company helping shape the future of optics and photonics — right here in Rochester.”

The companies of Luminate cohort 8 will compete for $2 million in follow-on funding at Luminate Finals 2025 on October 22. The program is funded by Empire State Development’s Finger Lakes Forward Upstate Revitalization Initiative. For more information about the Luminate accelerator and Finals 2025, visit luminate.org.