LioniX International is proud to support the second edition of the Global Photonics Engineering Contest, launched by photonic chip industry accelerator PhotonDelta during PIC Summit USA 2025. The contest aims to identify and accelerate the next generation of startups and innovators developing photonic integrated circuit (PIC)-based solutions for some of the world’s most pressing technological and societal challenges.

As one of the industry partners, LioniX International joins a strong consortium of photonics leaders to help transform promising ideas into scalable, real-world applications. The contest offers participants the opportunity to receive up to €2 million in investment from PhotonDelta, alongside up to €100,000 worth of technical and industrial services to support development and market readiness.

Building on the success of last year’s competition, won by MIT spin-off Perceptra for its photonic chip-based Raman sensor for real-time chemical monitoring, the 2026 edition continues to expand the scope and ambition of the initiative. The contest focuses on PIC-enabled applications across communication and computing, imaging, sensing, and wireless technologies, with potential impact in sectors such as healthcare, AI, autonomous systems, agriculture, and energy.

The Global Photonics Engineering Contest invites engineers, startups, researchers, students, and academic teams worldwide to submit innovative concepts and designs that leverage photonic integration. Submissions are evaluated on innovation, technical and commercial feasibility, and relevance to current and emerging industry challenges by a jury of experts from the global photonics ecosystem.

The contest is distinguished by strong collaboration between leading photonics companies across the value chain. LioniX International plays an active role by contributing its photonic design and integration expertise, alongside industry partners such as Aluvia Photonics, BRIGHT Photonics, imec, LIGENTEC, New Origin, PhotonVentures, PHIX Photonics Assembly, SMART Photonics, SBT Industries, and XIVER. By joining forces, the partners help accelerate the path from innovative concept to scalable photonic application.

The winner will also be invited to present their solution on the main stage of PIC Summit Europe 2026, further increasing visibility within the international photonics community.

Submissions for the contest are open until 19 June 2026, with winners and runners-up announced in August.

Get all the details and join here!