Salience Labs to pioneer photonic switches for AI data centres

Milton Park has welcomed Salience Labs, a start-up which is pioneering photonic switches for AI data centres.

The company, which has raised over $54m (£41m), including backing from Oxford Science Enterprises, builds on decades of research from the universities of Oxford and Münster. Salience will use its bespoke 6,700 sq ft R&D facility to pioneer photonic switches that route and manage data traffic more quickly and cost-efficiently.

Photonic switches for AI data centres

Traditional switches in data centres rely on millions of conversions between electrical and optical signals, which use a lot of energy and slow down data speeds. Salience’s switches use light to transmit and process data instead of traditional electronic methods, enabling faster and more energy-efficient communication, particularly across complex computing infrastructures such as AI data centres.

Optical lab and workspace at Milton Park

Salience’s move to Milton Park has more than tripled its workspace. The fit-out has expanded optical lab spaces to create a dedicated, collaborative environment for its 50+ employees, while the targeted EPC A rating supports Salience’s sustainability goals.

The team are developing optical switching technology in the new space, tackling two of computing’s biggest bottlenecks: latency (delays in response) and energy consumption. By keeping data in light rather than converting it back and forth into electrical signals, the approach reduces delays and lowers the power requirements of large-scale operations.

Salience Labs commented: “At Salience Labs, we’re developing optical switches that unlock higher performance and energy efficiency for next-generation AI infrastructure. As models grow in scale and complexity, breakthroughs in compute and networking aren’t just a nice to have… They’re essential.”

“To develop this, we need a custom-built home, and Milton Park has given us the opportunity to design this from the ground up. It stood out for its fully developed ecosystem, extensive facilities and the capacity to enable future expansion as we grow. We’re excited to tap into the hotbed of talent it enables.”

Tom Booker, Commercial Manager at Milton Park, commented: “We’re delighted to welcome Salience Labs to Milton Park. The team’s work in Silicon Photonics is an exciting addition to our community and especially the Park’s growing optics, AI and quantum cluster.

“By choosing 100 Park Drive for its new HQ, Salience can take advantage of Milton Park’s location and access to top talent. We wish the team all the best as they settle into their new base.”

Salience joins a thriving innovation community

Home to over 280 innovative companies, Salience joins a thriving innovation community at Milton Park. They are also the latest company from the Oxford Science Enterprises portfolio to move into the park, including Living Optics and Wild Bioscience.

Other key factors behind Salience’s move included Milton Park’s excellent transport links, with three fast buses per hour to Oxford and easy rail access to London, its strong sustainability credentials and its impressive range of on-site amenities.

Milton Park’s amenity offering

At the heart of this amenity offering is Signal Yard, Milton Park’s vibrant new amenity hub which is set to open in early 2026.

As a place to grab a bite, catch up with colleagues or unwind after work, it has been carefully designed to bring people together. Once open, it will offer a tempting line-up of Oxfordshire-based independents, including 1885 Burgers, Chor Muang Thai, Planted Plates, alongside an NHS dentist Damira Dental Studios, post office, pharmacy, a barbers and wellness facilities.

It will also see Tap Social Movement launch its “Day Release” venue, offering its full range of “Criminally Good Beer”, alongside artisan coffee, sourdough and pastries from Proof Social Bakehouse which will be baked fresh onsite.