Dutch Quantum Company MicroAlign Secures €2.5 Million Grant to Scale Revolutionary Fiber Technology

2026-02-19 semicon

Netherlands, Thursday, 19 February 2026.
MicroAlign has landed a significant €2.5 million European Innovation Council grant to industrialize its groundbreaking fiber array technology that achieves nanometer precision in quantum computing systems. The Dutch company’s patented micro-manipulation technology actively aligns individual optical fibers with unprecedented accuracy, enabling ultra-low loss connections essential for quantum computers and photonic applications. This funding represents a critical step toward commercial deployment as the quantum industry transitions from research labs to real-world applications, positioning MicroAlign to capture substantial market share by 2029.

Photonics Technology Addresses Quantum Computing’s Precision Challenge

MicroAlign’s breakthrough centers on photonics technology rather than traditional semiconductor manufacturing, addressing one of quantum computing’s most critical technical challenges [1][2]. The Eindhoven-based company secured its €2.5 million ($3 million USD) European Innovation Council Accelerator Grant on February 18, 2026, specifically targeting the industrialization of high-precision fiber arrays essential for photonic quantum architectures [2]. MicroAlign’s patented micro-manipulation technology enables active alignment of individual optical fibers with nanometer precision, a capability that CEO Simone Cardarelli describes as essential because “quantum computing architectures rely on low‐loss optical paths for qubit preservation and control” [1]. The company’s fiber arrays can achieve optical energy transmission with losses as low as 0.1 dB between optical fibers and photonic chips, representing what CTO Marco Fattori calls “the world’s first fiber arrays manufactured using active‐alignment techniques” [1][3].

Revolutionary Manufacturing Process Sets New Industry Standards

The innovation lies in MicroAlign’s unique manufacturing approach that actively aligns each optical fiber during the production process, rather than relying on passive alignment methods commonly used in the industry [3][4]. This micro-electromechanical system ensures what the company describes as “deep sub-micron core position accuracy,” enabling scalable assembly between optical fibers and photonic chips [3]. The technology addresses a fundamental challenge in quantum systems where precise optical connections are crucial for maintaining quantum coherence and minimizing photon loss [1][2]. MicroAlign’s solution achieves sub-micrometer accuracy in fiber positioning, making it particularly valuable for quantum computing applications where even minimal signal loss can compromise system performance [5]. The company operates as a spin-off from Eindhoven University of Technology and represents the only provider of special fiber arrays with actively aligned fiber cores [3][5].

Scaling Production for Commercial Quantum Deployment

The EIC funding will accelerate MicroAlign’s production automation to meet increasing demand as the photonic quantum computing industry transitions from research and development into early commercial deployment [4]. The company plans to miniaturize its technology platform in 2026, introducing ultra-high-accuracy fiber arrays featuring channel pitches reduced to 127 micrometers [1][4]. By 2029, MicroAlign aims to support a significant share of photonic quantum computing systems worldwide with its fiber array technology [1][2]. The funding addresses what Cardarelli identifies as a critical scaling challenge: “Scaling our manufacturing processes is essential to meet customers’ evolving needs in the coming years” [1]. This industrialization effort comes at a pivotal moment when quantum computing companies require higher volumes and consistent quality components for commercial viability [4].

Strategic Position in Netherlands’ Quantum Ecosystem

MicroAlign’s funding success reflects the Netherlands’ strategic commitment to strengthening its quantum technology ecosystem, with the company benefiting from support across multiple Dutch institutions and investors [4][7]. The company’s investor base includes PhotonDelta, DeepTechXL, Innovation Industries, 819 Capital Partners, and Eindhoven University of Technology, alongside financing partners including NWO (Dutch Research Council), BSF, and Rabobank [4]. Located in Eindhoven, MicroAlign operates within a broader Dutch photonics cluster that includes companies like Photon Bridge, also developing advanced photonic manufacturing technologies [3][6]. The company will showcase its technology at the OFC Exhibition in Los Angeles on March 17-18, 2026, at the Netherlands Pavilion, demonstrating the international reach of Dutch quantum technology companies [1][4]. This ecosystem approach positions the Netherlands as a competitive hub in the global quantum technology race, with MicroAlign’s specialized fiber array technology serving as a critical enabling component for next-generation quantum systems [7].

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quantum technology fiber arrays