[Pix-icfo-management] External name definition for internal PICs @ICFO initiative

[Sabine Runge]

Hi all,

Following up on the naming point for our initiative, I will coordinate this within the team. The goal is to replace the internal name "PICs @ICFO" with a more attractive official name at external level that speaks to companies, potential collaborators, etc. I propose the following steps:


  1.  Please send me 1–3 name proposals individually by next week Friday 23 October EOB. Please reply to me only, not to the whole group - so that we don’t influence each other and each proposal stays independent.
  2.  For each proposal, add a short explanation of its meaning and, optionally, a slogan.
  3.  I will compile all proposals into one overview and share it with the whole team.
  4.  We will then discuss the shortlisted options together on 4 November, the day of the Retreat, and converge on a final name that convinces all of us, grounded in a shared understanding of what we want to communicate.

What the name should reflect:

- Light as our common denominator: photonics is what we are known for. Figurative or classical names (Latin, Greek) are welcome.
- Our three pillars: photonic chips (PICs), quantum technologies (including communications, computing, sensing and imaging), and AI.
- We should try to embrace the full value chain, especially the new materialas and packaging.
- Specificity: we want to be credible for what we are known for, not claim to be good at everything.
- A local touch: ICFO, Barcelona, Catalonia, the Mediterranean.
- Appeal to externals: professional, memorable, easy to pronounce internationally, and easily connected to the ICFO brand.
- Distinctiveness: not too close to existing names, (e.g. our spin-off LuxQuanta). Shortlisted names will be checked against existing company and initiative names to ensure uniqueness factor.

Thank you – looking forward to your ideas!

Best regards,
Sabine
____________________________­­­­­­
[cid:image001.jpg at 01DD5CA1.D3A8D490]
Sabine Runge
PIXEurope Communication Officer

ICFO - The Institute of Photonic Sciences
Parc Mediterrani de la Tecnologia
Av. Carl Friedrich Gauss, 3
08860 Castelldefels (Barcelona), Spain
E. Sabine.runge at icfo.eu<mailto:Sabine.runge at icfo.eu>
T. 93 554 2281
I. www.icfo.eu<http://www.icfo.eu/>

From: Pix-icfo-management <pix-icfo-management-bounces at lists.icfo.es> On Behalf Of Valerio Pruneri via Pix-icfo-management
Sent: 15 October 2026 11:18 AM
To: Optoelectronics (Valerio Pruneri) <Opto-list at icfo.eu>; pix-icfo-management at lists.icfo.es
Cc: Stefano Signorini <Stefano.Signorini at icfo.eu>; Joel Moser <Joel.Moser at icfo.eu>; Johann Osmond <johann.osmond at icfo.eu>
Subject: Re: [Pix-icfo-management] retreat

CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Forgo to say:

  *   Speakers, no slides, free speech down to essence
  *   Stfeano, can you forward also to participants outside opto and pixiffo management lists?


From: Valerio Pruneri <Valerio.Pruneri at icfo.eu<mailto:Valerio.Pruneri at icfo.eu>>
Sent: 15 October 2026 11:10 AM
To: Optoelectronics (Valerio Pruneri) <Opto-list at icfo.eu<mailto:Opto-list at icfo.eu>>; pix-icfo-management at lists.icfo.es<mailto:pix-icfo-management at lists.icfo.es>
Cc: Stefano Signorini <Stefano.Signorini at icfo.eu<mailto:Stefano.Signorini at icfo.eu>>
Subject: retreat

To include, Stefano to moderate and propose duration of each:

  *   Quick intro from everyone, as there are also new members.
  *   Science & Technology & Application speech: Valerio
  *   Industry collaboration speech: Sergi
  *   Financial and sustainability speech: Noelia
  *   Front end equipment speech: someone from NFL
  *   Back end equipment speech: Aina
  *   Characterization equipment speech: Johann
  *   Name of initiative. PICs @ICFO is suitable for internal purposes but is not at all attractive for externals. Please everyone think of a name.
  *   Any idea to potentiate initiative (including changing director if need be 😊)


Please do bring enthusiasm, motivation and energy.

Valerio
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