What MicroAlign does

MicroAlign is a Dutch photonics hardware company spun out of TU Eindhoven in 2021 that develops MEMS-based active fiber alignment technology for high-precision fiber arrays. Its core product platform, the High-Accuracy Fiber Array (HAFA), achieves sub-100nm core position accuracy across 8 to 24 channels, addressing the stringent alignment tolerances required by photonic quantum computing and emerging AI datacenter optical interconnect applications. The technology is protected by four patents covering the intersection of MEMS actuation and photonic packaging.

The company operates a B2B hardware sales model, selling engineered fiber array components to systems integrators building photonic quantum processors and high-density optical transceivers. QuiX Quantum is the publicly named anchor customer, and MicroAlign is positioned within the EU consortium projects FIT4Q and ADOPTION, which support European photonic quantum infrastructure. First commercial product samples were delivered in August 2025, and the company exhibited at industry events including ECOC, Photonics West, OFC, and Q2B.

MicroAlign has raised approximately €4.05M in dilutive and non-dilutive funding (a €1M seed round, a €350K Brabant Startup Fonds investment, and a €2.5M EIC Accelerator grant) plus a Rabobank loan. The company employs 11-50 people and is headquartered in Eindhoven, Netherlands. Its business model is currently pre-revenue to early commercial, with unit volumes implied to be small given the sample-stage commercial status and the high-precision, low-volume nature of photonic quantum hardware.

Name

MicroAlign

Legal name

MicroAlign

Website

https://microalign.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

MicroAlign is a Dutch photonics hardware company developing MEMS-based high-accuracy fiber arrays (sub-100nm alignment) for photonic quantum computing and AI datacenter optical interconnect applications, spun out of TU Eindhoven in 2021.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Photonics Components

NAICS

Semiconductor and Related Device Manufacturing (334413), Fiber Optic Cable Manufacturing (335921)

SIC

Electronic Connectors (3678), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827)

akta.pro primary industry

Fiber-Optic Interconnects (Connectors/Cables/Transceivers Interfaces) (HDAHAOAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

MEMS Actuators & Micro-Mechanisms (Micromirrors/Microfluidics) (HDAHALAJ), Optoelectronic Receivers & Transceivers (Photodetectors/Optical Modules) (HDAHALAM)

Keywords

• Fiber array components
• Photonic fiber alignment
• MEMS nano-positioning
• Quantum computing photonics
• Fiber-to-chip coupling

Headquarters

HQ city

Eindhoven

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. High-Accuracy Fiber Arrays: Sale of ultra-low-loss fiber arrays with actively aligned fiber cores for photonic quantum computing, data communication, and AI computing applications. Revenue from product sales of 8-24 channel fiber arrays with various configurations (pitch, connector types, polishing angles).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

MicroAlign manufactures high-accuracy fiber array components with actively aligned fiber cores, enabling nanometer-level fiber-to-chip coupling for photonic integrated circuits. The product portfolio includes 8 to 24-channel fiber arrays with sub-100nm core position accuracy, used primarily in photonic quantum computing, data communication, and AI computing infrastructure. Production is enabled by proprietary MEMS-based nano-positioning technology that simultaneously and independently aligns each fiber during manufacturing.

Product overview

MicroAlign offers a unified product portfolio centered on its core High-Accuracy Fiber Arrays (HAFA) technology. The primary product consists of ultra-low-loss fiber arrays with actively aligned fiber cores, ranging from 8 to 24 channels, featuring sub-100nm positioning accuracy. This core offering is enabled by two key technology components: the Active Fiber Core Alignment Technology (MEMS-based nano-positioning system that performs simultaneous, independent fiber alignment during manufacturing) and the underlying MEMS Micro-Actuator Technology (providing nanoscale actuation resolution over several micrometers). A future product in development is the PM Multi-Fiber Rotation technology for polarization-maintaining applications. The company specializes exclusively in photonic hardware and does not offer software products or API-based services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• High-Accuracy Fiber Arrays (HAFA) Ultra-low-loss fiber arrays with actively aligned cores, engineered for fiber-to-chip coupling in photonic integrated circuits (PICs). Available in 8 to 24-channel configurations with SMF28 fiber type, 250µm or 254µm pitch, and sub-100nm core position accuracy. Used in quantum computing, sensing, optical networks, and co-packaged optics applications.
• 24-Channel High-Accuracy Fiber Arrays Scaled High-Accuracy Fiber Array product offering 24 channels while maintaining sub-100nm core position accuracy, supporting the industry roadmap to 100+ fiber connections per photonic quantum computing system.

Quantifiable outcome

• Achieved 100nm fiber-core pitch accuracy - 5x improvement over V-groove industry standard of ~500nm
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and minor.

• QuiX QuantumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 May 2025Global leader in photonic quantum computing, deep-tech scale-up. Partner in FIT4Q project (European Trilateral Collaboration on Quantum Innovation). MicroAlign fiber arrays are used with QuiX's photonic quantum processors where every photon matters. QuiX sets performance targets for the project.
• Fraunhofer IZMsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman photonic packaging leader. Partner in FIT4Q and ADOPTION projects. Supporting consortium with novel packaging technologies and measurement methods. Brings assembly process to advanced automation level for quantum technology applications.
• Aixemtec GmbHsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman company providing automation equipment for photonic device packaging. Partner in FIT4Q project developing improved fiber array automation and expanding network of automation support for European photonics industry.
• Photonics FoundrysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerYoung photonic device and MEMS contract packager founded July 2023. Hosted FIT4Q project meetings in Bremen. Leads design for automation activities and process implementations for high-accuracy fiber array assembly and chip packaging.
• Eindhoven University of TechnologysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSource of MicroAlign's founding technology from PhD research. Access to Nanolab Eindhoven cleanroom and photonic/electronic/mechanical expertise. Partner in ADOPTION and FIT4Q projects.
• Huawei GermanysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in ADOPTION project providing AWG-based PIC for photonic module demonstrator. Integration of MicroAlign HAFAs with Huawei PICs by Argotech.
• Tyndall National InstitutesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerIrish research institution partner in ADOPTION project for low-cost intra-data centre networks using co-packaged optics.
• imecsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBelgian research institution partner in ADOPTION project focusing on photonic integrated circuit assembly.
• Pilot PhotonicssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerIrish photonic company partner in ADOPTION project working on photonic integrated circuits.
• Resolute PhotonicssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhotonic company partner in ADOPTION project for PIC assembly demonstrations.
• SENKO Advanced ComponentssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerOptical connector company partner in ADOPTION project for fiber array integration.
• ArgotechsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSemiconductor photonics company integrating MicroAlign HAFAs with Huawei PICs into packaged photonic modules for ADOPTION project demonstrator.
• Fontys University of Applied SciencesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSix Industrial Engineering students interned at MicroAlign to explore production capacity optimization, delivering recommendations for automation and manufacturing line design.
• Quantum Delta NLsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerDutch quantum technology accelerator financed by Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate. Sponsors FIT4Q and ADOPTION projects through European Trilateral Collaboration on Quantum Innovation.
• PhotonDeltasupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerOrganized Netherlands Pavilion at OFC 2026 exhibition where MicroAlign showcased fiber array technology. Also organized TechBridge Taiwan mission for market expansion.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Thorlabs: Thorlabs is a broad incumbent in photonics with a comprehensive portfolio of fiber arrays, optical components, MEMS devices and measurement equipment serving research and OEM customers. They acquired Optoscribe to expand fiber array capabilities, positioning them as a much larger competitor in MicroAlign's space.
• Broadcom: Broadcom is a leading supplier of optical transceivers and silicon photonics for data center and AI infrastructure, and is itself a potential customer/partner for MicroAlign's fiber arrays in co-packaged optics applications. They represent the dominant incumbent in the AI optical interconnect market MicroAlign targets.
• Lumentum: Lumentum is a large incumbent in optical networking components, including transceivers, lasers, and photonic components for datacom and telecom. They supply into similar end markets (data centers, optical interconnects) and could potentially develop competing high-accuracy fiber array solutions at scale.
• Coherent: Coherent (formerly II-VI) is a major incumbent in optical materials, components and networking, with capabilities spanning lasers, transceivers and silicon photonics platforms. They serve similar telecom, datacom and AI interconnect markets where MicroAlign's fiber arrays are deployed.

Direct peers

• SENKO Advanced Components: SENKO Advanced Components is a global leader in fiber optic connectors, adapters and fiber array assemblies, and is also a partner of MicroAlign in the ADOPTION project. They serve similar PIC and quantum customers with high-channel-count interconnect solutions at scale.
• ficonTEC: ficonTEC provides automated photonic device assembly and packaging equipment, including fiber array alignment machines. They are a partner of MicroAlign in the FIT4Q project and serve the same customer base of PIC packagers and quantum hardware manufacturers with complementary equipment offerings.
• Optoscribe: Optoscribe (acquired by Thorlabs) manufactures 3D glass-based fiber array units and optical waveguide interconnects for photonic integrated circuits. Directly comparable to MicroAlign as both supply fiber-to-chip interconnect solutions targeting datacom, telecom and emerging photonic applications.
• US Conec: US Conec is a specialist in high-precision fiber optic interconnect components including MPO/MTP connectors and fiber array assemblies. They serve the same customer base of PIC manufacturers and data center operators as MicroAlign, with overlapping product categories in multi-fiber connectivity.

Emerging players

• QuiX Quantum: QuiX Quantum is a leading photonic quantum computing company that is MicroAlign's anchor enterprise customer and FIT4Q partner. While not a direct competitor, QuiX's product roadmap directly determines the volume of MicroAlign's HAFA demand and serves as a commercial proxy for the photonic quantum computing opportunity.

Others

• Tyndall National Institute: Tyndall is an Irish research institute partnering with MicroAlign in the ADOPTION project on co-packaged optics for intra-data-center networks. They operate as an enabling/ecosystem participant — conducting photonic integration research and qualifying new interconnect technologies for the markets MicroAlign serves.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@MicroAlign-Photonics
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/microalign

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors6 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about MicroAlign