Eindhoven-based MicroAlign, a spin-off from the Eindhoven University of Technology, has secured €1M in a seed round of funding to accelerate the commercialisation of high-accuracy fiber arrays.
MicroAlign is a company operating in the micro-positioning field for automated optical assembly and testing.
The funding round was led by Dutch venture capital firms DeepTechXL and PhotonVentures.
The managing partner at DeepTechXL, Teska van Vuren, says, “DeepTechXL shares MicroAlign’s vision to make an impact by solving one of the main technical bottlenecks for quantum photonic computers. DeepTechXL will support MicroAlign in scaling up and becoming the number one in low coupling loss fiber arrays.”
Ewit Roos, general partner at PhotonVentures, adds, “MicroAlign is the only company in Europe that has proven to meet the stringent requirements for fiber alignment in the still small but promising and already very demanding quantum photonic computing domain.”
“With their excellent technology and the continuous focus on customer needs and delivery, I am convinced this MicroAlign team is ready to facilitate successfully the growth of this industry and other sectors that require ultra-low loss fiber coupling solutions.”
The MicroAlign origins
MicroAlign invented a micro-positioning system for aligning multiple optical fibers, which is their core technology. This system’s potential to ease assembly tolerances in photonic manufacturing motivated the team to explore its market potential.
Founded in 2021, MicroAlign’s technology originated from a Ph.D. project at the Eindhoven University of Technology, part of the MEMPHIS II programme funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO).
MicroAlign benefits from access to TU/e facilities and the Nanolab Eindhoven cleanroom, leveraging photonic, electronic, and mechanical expertise to deliver a quality solution.
While various photonics-based markets can benefit from MicroAlign’s technology, quantum photonic computing most urgently needs its fiber array technology.
CEO Simone Cardarelli explains how MicroAlign can support the development of quantum photonic computing.
Cardarelli says, “MicroAlign’s fiber array product is a key enabling technology for quantum photonic computing applications, where every photon counts in the fiber-to-chip connection. Exponential benefits in quantum computing efficiency can be indeed achieved with a high-accuracy fiber array component.”
“At the same time, the technology trends driven by the growing demands for data traffic and AI computing show that low-loss optical interconnections are more and more a point of concern, opening a huge application opportunity for MicroAlign in the near future.”
Capital utilisation
The funding will help accelerate MicroAlign’s market entry and product development by expanding its R&D team and facilities.
The company’s technology aims to enhance quantum photonic computing, data communication, and AI computing by reducing energy consumption and improving performance. This will help photonics-based industries advance societal goals such as climate action, digitalisation, and industrial optimisation.
Marco Fattori, the CTO of MicroAlign, says, “Over the past three years, MicroAlign has developed technology to manipulate optical fibers with unmatched precision, generating already four patents describing revolutionary approaches in the critical optical fiber alignment operation.”
“This technology is based on the smallest fiber alignment actuator in the world and represents a groundbreaking solution for the industry. We are currently laser sharp focused on developing further our technology to realise ultra-high accuracy fiber arrays.”
Brief about the investors
DeepTechXL invests in early-stage deep tech ventures addressing societal challenges. The firm’s team, including entrepreneurs and investors, offers hands-on support to scale high-impact businesses. It empowers entrepreneurs to share knowledge and grow, fostering a community of impact-driven tech leaders.
Supported by industry giants like ASML, Philips, and PME Pensioenfonds, DeepTechXL is dedicated to nurturing the Dutch startup ecosystem.
PhotonVentures is a Dutch VC firm specialising in integrated photonics. Its portfolio supports companies innovating in light-based technologies across various sectors. With expertise in both technical and commercial aspects, PhotonVentures is a strategic ally driving progress in integrated photonics.
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