MicroAlign Secures €2.5 Million to Scale Production for Quantum Computing
Eindhoven, Thursday 19 February 2026
This €2.5 million EIC grant empowers MicroAlign to industrialise the world’s first active-alignment fibre arrays, delivering the nanometer precision essential for next-generation photonic quantum computers.
Quantum Interconnects on the Rise
Based in Eindhoven, MicroAlign, a spin-off of the Eindhoven University of Technology, specialises in optical-fibre alignment [1]. The company’s core technology actively aligns individual fibres using micro-actuators with nanometer precision [2]. This allows for high-volume manufacturing and ultra-low loss, which is essential for photonic quantum computers [1][2].
EIC Grant to Fuel Expansion
The €2.5 million Accelerator Grant from the European Innovation Council (EIC) will enable MicroAlign to industrialise its fibre-array manufacturing [1]. The funding will specifically boost automation and throughput at its Eindhoven facilities, as the shift from R&D to commercial deployment of quantum computing gains momentum [2]. Complementing the grant is an equity component, further strengthening MicroAlign’s financial position [2].
Advancing Quantum Computing
Photonic quantum computers rely on fibre arrays with nanometer-scale positioning accuracy; any misalignment directly translates into photon loss and degraded qubit performance [2]. Conventional datacom and telecom arrays do not meet these stringent requirements [2]. MicroAlign’s patented micromanipulation platform overcomes these limitations [1][2].
Broader Applications and Future Plans
MicroAlign is backed by investors including Photondelta, DeeptechXL and Innovation Industries [2]. The company aims to capture a significant portion of the global photonic quantum computing market by 2029 [1][2]. Beyond quantum computing, MicroAlign sees increasing demand for fibre coupling in various applications, including MEMS switches, wavelength-selective switches, and optical amplifiers [1][2]. Marco Fattori, MicroAlign CTO, stated that their active-alignment techniques set a new benchmark for ultra-low-loss, multi-channel fibre-to-chip connectivity [1]. In March 2026, MicroAlign plans to showcase its technology at the OFC Exhibition in Los Angeles [1].