Franz Kärtner (in the photo: fourth from left) is the founder, Professor of Physics at the University of Hamburg and he heads the Department of Ultrafast Laser and X-ray Physics at the Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY). He founded Cycle in 2015, but the idea for the technology had been in his focus for much longer. He began researching the fundamentals during his time at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the early 2000s and had already founded an initial spin-off company in the USA with colleagues from MIT, but the market for the technology did not yet exist. Since 2011, he has been at DESY, where the components and synchronization units have been brought on the long road to market maturity and market development with further developments. Cycle develops and builds laser-based synchronization systems for large-scale research facilities as well as ultrashort pulse laser systems for life science applications.

Based on science, what lessons have you learned?

When founding a company based on science, it is important to remember that you often have to have staying power. Products that come from basic research often still require considerable development and therefore considerable investment costs before a marketable product is available. In addition, there is often not yet a large market for very innovative products, as there is still a lack of understanding of possible completely new applications in industry.

What do you recommend to other founders?

A good business plan and a well-balanced founding team. You also need patience and perseverance.

How important is the network on the research campus for you?

The network is important for quickly and easily exchanging information on all typical problems in the start-up sector and experiences with other start-ups.

What will Cycle be doing in 5 years? What are the company’s goals?

One thing is clear: in five years’ time, we want to be an innovative, medium-sized company in the field of ultrashort pulse laser technology with a diverse product portfolio. Today we have 15 colleagues and are on a stable growth path.

More information about Cycle is available at: www.cyclelasers.com