By Sandoval Signpost Staff
The New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD) announced Feb. 24 that a Rio Rancho tech company has received a Small Business Innovation Research Matching Grant to advance its technologies.
8D Photonics LLC, located at 4901 Taurus Rd. NE in Rio Rancho, will receive a $100,000 grant as one of eight companies awarded by the EDD.
The 2025 awards include $50,000 for companies with an active Phase I SBIR/STTR grant and $100,000 for companies with an active Phase II SBIR/STTR grant. The Legislature and Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham supported the award amounts.
According to a press release, 8D Phototonics delivers advanced solutions for the infrared (IR) and semiconductor industries with its 8D IR Pioneer art tool for cryogenic semiconductor wafer mapping. This technology enables precise measurement for pre-screening wafers before fabrication.
The grants, awarded by the Office of Strategy, Science and Technology, support companies with federal funding in advanced energy, aerospace, advanced computing and bioscience. The goal is to support startups with a scalable business model that can grow and diversify New Mexico’s economy.
“EDD is excited to support these dynamic New Mexico companies, demonstrating that New Mexico continues to be a leader in science, technology, and innovation. These companies are solving unique problems for society, developing technology for clean energy and national defense, while creating good-paying jobs here at home,” Secretary-Designate Rob Black said.