PhotonDelta launches €2M photonics engineering contest

22 Jan 2026

Netherlands-based photonic chip industry accelerator PhotonDelta has launched its second global engineering contest in collaboration with Wevolver, which is described as a community platform for engineers. The stated aim of the competition is “to stimulate the creation of new applications for photonic chips that tackle global challenges.”

The contest builds on the success of last year’s competition, which saw MIT spin-off Perceptra triumph with its photonic chip-based Raman sensor for real-time chemical monitoring. Perceptra received €1.2 million ($1.4 million) in investments from PhotonDelta, and €50,000 worth of services to help bring the concept into reality. Perceptra is set to open a R&D facility in the Netherlands to scale its photonic sensing technology for chemical monitoring.

Focused on photonic chip solutions

Launched on January 19th at PIC Summit USA 2026, the Global Photonics Engineering focuses on photonic chip-based solutions aimed at pressing societal and technical challenges, such as combating climate change, advancing healthcare, and energy sustainability.

The second edition of the contest will focus on photonic chip-based applications within communication and computing, imaging, sensing and wireless. Engineers and startups are invited to submit concepts and designs, which have the capacity to revolutionize fields such as healthcare, autonomous vehicles, AI and agriculture.

The winner will receive up to €100,000 worth of services to bring their idea to life as well as consideration for investment of up to €2 million by PhotonDelta. In addition, the winner will receive two tickets including flights and hotel and the opportunity to present on the PIC Summit Europe 2026.

Entries will be judged on the level of innovation, technical and commercial feasibility, and how effectively the design addresses current industry challenges. Participants are required to submit detailed descriptions of their projects, including team information and supporting visuals or videos. A jury panel of experts from the photonic chip industry will review the submissions.

The contest is open to startups, established companies, engineers, researchers, students, and academic organizations working on innovative photonic chip applications. Submissions will be open until the 19th of June with the winner and runners up announced in August.

Further information about the contest and how to enter is on the Wevolver website.