Objective
MicroAlign develops and manufactures ultra-accurate fiber arrays tailored to the needs of photonic quantum computers, a type of quantum computer using photons as a representation of qubits. Fiber arrays are components made of multiple optical fibers bundled in a cable with a single connector. In a photonic quantum computer, they are essential for transporting photons within the computer architecture, including the photonic chip used for computation. Precise alignment between the fiber arrays and the photonic chip is crucial to prevent photon loss and signal degradation. Currently, no company provides fiber arrays with the alignment accuracy required for photonic quantum computers, making MicroAlign's technology essential for their realization. Our innovation lies in a patented micro-manipulation technology developed by our founders. This technology uses a comb of micro-actuators, each as large as a fingernail, to independently move each fiber with nanometer-scale resolution. This alignment process is rapid and scalable. Our product has been developed in collaboration with potential customers. We have conducted technical validations and received Letters of Intent from leading quantum computer manufacturers. They all have confirmed that no competitor offers a technology remotely comparable to ours. Our innovation has reached TRL 6 (both as a product and as a manufacturing/system process), and will reach TRL 8 by the end of the EIC project. Besides the quantum computing industry, in the future our product will find application in many other sectors in the quantum and photonic domains where high-performing photonic connections will become crucial. Ours is an innovation with a huge market potential (a single large-scale photonic quantum computer can require up more than €1 million worth of fiber arrays) and of strategic importance for the EU. The EIC fund will be invaluable to support our company with patient capital and derisk the investment of European private VCs.
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.3.1 - The European Innovation Council (EIC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-EIC-ACC - HORIZON EIC Accelerator
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-EIC-2025-ACCELERATOR-02
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
5612 AS Eindhoven
Netherlands
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.