Graeme Malcolm

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

SKILLS

ABOUT GRAEME MALCOLM

Today, I am building Novacene Photonics — applying decades of deep-tech company creation experience to scale the world’s purest light across the spectrum for applications where precision, reliability, and long-term support are non-negotiable.With over 25 years in the laser and photonics industry, I am a serial entrepreneur and deep-tech builder with experience spanning the full company lifecycle: from early-stage formation and first-of-a-kind technology development, through high-growth scale-up, to globally deployed, established businesses. I founded and grew Microlase Optical Systems, which became Coherent Scotland, and later founded and scaled M Squared Lasers into an internationally recognised photonics company, translating advanced solid-state laser science into dependable platforms used in some of the most demanding scientific, industrial, and space environments.My work has consistently focused on the hard parts of deep tech: building teams around complex physics, de-risking technology for real customers, transitioning from prototype to manufacturable product, and scaling operations without compromising performance or reliability. This has included delivering laser technologies underpinning quantum systems, biophotonics, chemical sensing, and environmental monitoring, as well as enabling platforms for landmark Earth-observation and space missions addressing pollution and climate-change gases.Alongside building and scaling companies, I am actively involved in mentoring founders and leadership teams across the deep-tech ecosystem, particularly in photonics, quantum, and space. I support teams from idea and spin-out stage through growth and maturity, helping them navigate product–market fit, technical risk, funding inflection points, manufacturing scale-up, and internationalisation — and ultimately make hard things happen.I also undertake consultancy and non-executive (NXD) roles for deep-tech companies and investors, contributing strategic, technical, and operational insight across photonics, quantum technologies, and space. In parallel, I serve on the UK Government’s Regulatory Horizons Council, advising on how emerging technologies can be enabled through forward-looking, proportionate regulation to support long-term innovation and economic impact.At Novacene Photonics, I am focused on developing ultra-high-precision laser platforms for space systems, advanced manufacturing, and semiconductor metrology, where performance, stability, reliability, and trust are fundamental.