The Global Photonics Engineering Contest is back for its second edition, and we’re once again contributing as a jury member and technology partner, helping turn the best photonic application idea into reality. Following a highly successful first year, the 2026 edition continues to build momentum around photonic integrated circuits as a key enabler for future technologies.
Organised by Wevolver in partnership with PhotonDelta, the contest aims to uncover smart concepts that use PIC technology to solve real-world challenges. In the inaugural edition, the selected winner was Perceptra Technologies, for its ultra-compact, PIC-based molecular sensor — a strong example of how integrated photonics can potentiate entirely new capabilities.
This year’s contest invites engineers, startups and research teams to submit concepts with the potential to shape applications in areas such as healthcare, autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence, agriculture, communications, sensing and imaging, etc. The focus is not only on technical novelty, but also on feasibility, scalability and the ability to translate a strong idea into a viable product.
Participants are supported throughout the process by a broad photonics ecosystem. The winning team will receive extensive technical and industrial support, including €100,000 in services from the PhotonDelta network, as well as the opportunity for up to €2 million in pre-seed investment for companies based in the Netherlands. In addition, the winner gains international visibility through media exposure and the opportunity to pitch their concept on a global stage.
One of the defining strengths of the contest is the collaboration between leading photonics companies. We bring photonic design expertise to the table, joined by a strong network of industry partners including Aluvia Photonics, LioniX International, New Origin, LIGENTEC, PhotonVentures, PHIX Photonics Assembly, SMART Photonics, SBT Industries, XIVER, Imec and BRIGHT Photonics. We will be joining forces to help transform the winning idea from concept to reality.
The deadline for early submissions is 2 March 2026. Early entrants receive expert feedback and can refine their proposals before final evaluation. The general submission deadline is 19 June 2026.
The jury will assess all entries based on innovation, effective use of photonic integration, and the potential to create meaningful impact in existing or entirely new application domains.
With this second edition, the Global Photonics Engineering Contest continues its mission to identify future photonic applications — including those that may not yet exist — and to support the innovators bold enough to imagine them.
🔗 Read more about the contest and how to take part here.
