Optics Valley Partners and Alliances
Where optics, photonics and astronomy connect and grow.
Connect with Global Opportunities
Optics Valley connects members to local and worldwide opportunities through our alliances and collaborations with leading organizations.
With over 40 members, the Global Photonics Alliance facilitates cooperation among optics and photonics clusters worldwide to address common matters and promotes communication and business among members around the world.
SPIE is the international society for optics and photonics, an educational not-for-profit organization founded in 1955 to advance light-based science, engineering, and technology. The Society serves more than 258,000 constituents from 184 countries, offering conferences and their published proceedings, continuing education, books, journals, and the SPIE Digital Library.
The American Precision Optics Manufacturers Association is committed to promoting and advancing opportunities for the precision optics industry. APOMA is the working group of the top U.S. optics manufacturers. Their members are front line and operations managers who turn to their peers in APOMA for best practices and technical guidance.
Optica (formerly OSA) is dedicated to promoting the generation, application, archiving and dissemination of knowledge in optics and photonics worldwide. Founded in 1916, it is the leading organization for scientists, engineers, business professionals, students and others interested in the science of light. Optica’s renowned publications, meetings, online resources and in-person activities fuel discoveries, shape real-life applications and accelerate scientific, technical and educational achievement.
The National Photonics Institute is a collaborative alliance among industry, academia and government to raise awareness of photonics and the impact of photonics on our everyday lives; increase cooperation and coordination among US industry, government and academia to advance photonics-driven fields; and drive US funding and investment in areas of photonics critical to maintaining US economic competitiveness and national security. The initiative is being led by top scientific societies including the American Physical Society (APS), the IEEE Photonics Society, the Laser Institute of America (LIA), Optica (formerly OSA), the society advancing optics and photonics worldwide, and SPIE, the International Society for Optics and Photonics.
AIM Photonics is one of nine manufacturing innovation institutes (MIIs) established by the United States Department of Defense. The DoD MIIs bring new technologies to life with federal taxpayer dollars combined with matching funds from academia, industry and state governments, building a national network of public-private partnerships and creating an industrial commons for manufacturing R&D, and workforce education and development. Marshalling the best talent across the country, the network strategically aligns resources to address critical technologies and drive interconnected manufacturing systems.
The James C. Wyant College of Optical Sciences, since its start as the Optical Sciences Center in 1964, has been shaping the future by offering high-quality instruction, cutting-edge research and a solid commitment to the development of the optics industry. OSC remains dedicated to providing the state of Arizona and the nation with an internationally pre-eminent program in all aspects of the study of light.
Tech Parks Arizona creates the “Interactive Ground” that generates, attracts and retains technology companies and talent in alignment with the research, mission and goals of the University of Arizona. Tech Parks Arizona directs the UA Tech Park, the UA Tech Park at The Bridges and the University of Arizona Center for Innovation incubator, placing the highest priority on recruiting companies desiring connectivity to the University of Arizona.
Tech Launch Arizona brings together the University of Arizona community and local and regional ecosystems to move inventions stemming from university research and technological innovation into the marketplace where they can create lasting social and economic impact.
Pima Community College is a comprehensive two-year institution serving students and employers throughout Pima County in Arizona and beyond. PCC welcomes everyone striving to achieve a better life for themselves, their families and their communities. Students have access to a broad range of high quality programs that prepare them with the skills needed by today’s employers and to transfer successfully into four-year programs.