At the forefront of deep tech innovation, Sam Guilaume brings his wealth of experience as the President and Expert Mentor for PhotonHub Scaling Club, a new initiative by Tech Tour and PhotonHub Europe. Sam’s background is impressive – he has spent the past 16 years founding and managing deep technology startups across Europe, the USA and Asia. His journey through consumer electronics, intellectual property licensing, machine learning, and more, has equipped him with the knowledge to mentor and guide scaling companies to success.

 

Sam’s passion for entrepreneurship is evident in his role at the PhotonHub Scaling Club, where he will lead as a mentor and advisor to a select group of scale-ups in the photonics sector. This exclusive member-only club, created in collaboration between Tech Tour and PhotonHub Europe, is dedicated to helping innovative startups scale through strategic mentorship, access to investments, and industry partnerships.

 

As Sam himself puts it, "Managing a company is an art that can be taught and learned through shared experiences." This philosophy underpins his approach, as he works closely with the selected scale-ups in the PhotonHub Scaling Club, providing them with tailored support and ensuring they can tackle challenges in a judgment-free environment.

The PhotonHub Scaling Club: Empowering Photonics Innovators

Launching in 2025, the PhotonHub Scaling Club will support 10 ambitious companies from the photonics sector as they scale and reach new growth milestones. These companies, selected through a rigorous process, will gain access to:

• Tailored strategic guidance from board-level mentors, like Sam, who will help address scaling challenges and unlock new investment opportunities to reach key valuation milestones.
• Technology co-funding: With fast-track access to up to EUR 500K of technology upscaling co-funded at 85% by the EC, in collaboration with PhotonHub’s technology partners.
• Exclusive connections: Introductions to cornerstone investors, potential partners, and customers through roadshows and direct meetings.
• Increased visibility: Media exposure, roadmap reports and data-driven insights to help these companies amplify their market presence.

For scale-ups looking to take advantage of this exclusive opportunity, applications are open until November 29, 2024, with the selected companies to be announced in December 2024.

Supporting Entrepreneurs: The Executive and Board Compensation Survey

In addition to his role with the PhotonHub Scaling Club, Sam Guilaume has recently launched a value-adding initiative to support startup founders and executives through his Executive and Board Compensation Survey. Drawing from his own experience managing deep tech startups, Sam recognized that many entrepreneurs face challenges due to insufficient critical information on topics like remuneration structures and financing methods.

 

This survey is designed to gather valuable insights on compensation structures for management teams and boards, exploring crucial topics like financing methods, licensing conditions, and commercial agreements. Entrepreneurs who participate will contribute to a collective resource that benefits the entire entrepreneurial ecosystem, providing actionable insights on how to structure executive pay, handle financing, and more. Participants will receive a complimentary summary of the results, while a more detailed report will be available for a nominal fee. All responses will remain confidential and be utilized only in aggregate form.

 

By creating this anonymous and confidential survey, Sam is empowering entrepreneurs, helping them make informed decisions that can enhance the long-term sustainability of their ventures. This initiative aligns with the PhotonHub Scaling Club's mission of fostering growth and innovation in deep tech companies.

 

The first survey, which can be accessed online here, focuses on the remuneration structures of executives and boards of directors. By participating in this survey, you will contribute to a valuable collective resource that benefits all stakeholders involved. For further information about the survey, please refer to Frequently Asked Questions here.

Join the PhotonHub Scaling Club and Take Your Company to the Next Level

If you’re a photonics startup ready to scale, now is your chance to join the PhotonHub Scaling Club. This program offers invaluable guidance from experienced mentors, access to exclusive funding and partnerships, and a unique opportunity to grow within the European photonics ecosystem. Apply here by November 29, 2024.

 

To learn more about the PhotonHub Scaling Club or to participate in Sam’s Executive and Board Compensation Survey, get in touch with our team and start scaling today!

 

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