About
PhotonHub PHACTORY
2025–2028
Introduction to the project
PhotonHub is a unique pan-European one-stop-shop photonics innovation hub. Funded by the European Union, PhotonHub has been established to accelerate the uptake, integration, and deployment of photonic technologies in innovative products across a broad range of industry sectors, boost competitiveness and foster new business.
Through a large consortium of internationally renowned partners, PhotonHub combines the broadest possible range of photonics expertise, facilities and technologies from Europe’s top existing networks of competence centres. It also offers key technical, business, and training support services across the full value chain – technology readiness level (TRL) 3 to 8 – all under one roof.
PhotonHub Europe, which was launched in January 2021, has already helped over 100 companies deliver more than €750 million in new revenues, create 1,000 jobs and raise €250 million in venture capital. This success has led to new investment from the European Commission to continue offering expert support, fast-track access to Europe’s leading laboratories, and generous subsidies, all delivered through a ‘one-stop-shop’ photonics innovation factory called PhotonHub PHACTORY.
Launched January 2025
PhotonHub PHACTORY
PhotonHub PHACTORY is the latest in a long line of successful EU‑backed innovation frameworks coordinated by Brussels Photonics (B-PHOT) at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB). This new €15M initiative builds on more than two decades of experience and a proven track record through earlier programmes, including ACTMOST, ACTPHAST, ACTPHAST4.0, ACTPHAST4Researchers and, most recently, PhotonHub Europe.
Together, these initiatives have laid the foundation for a pan-European model of photonics innovation support — now brought to full scale under PhotonHub PHACTORY. Officially launched in January 2025, the initiative operates a continuous open call.
The PhotonHub difference
Want to learn more about how PhotonHub could support you? PhotonHub operates a continuous open call – take the first step on your photonics innovation journey by completing our online application form and the PhotonHub team will promptly follow up. Please note that all discussions and correspondence are conducted in English.
Apply for innovation support
FREE initial expert assessment
PhotonHub offers a FREE initial expert assessment on the technical and commercial viability of a potential project.
Subsidised by up to 85%
Technology innovation projects involving a cross-border collaboration are subsidised by up to 85%, reducing the financial risk for companies interested in the potential for photonics‑led innovation through PhotonHub.
Over 30 partners
PhotonHub brings together the capabilities and resources of over 30 partners from 15 different countries.
Faster, easier, and more accessible than ever
By streamlining access to expertise, facilities and funding, PhotonHub makes high‑end photonics support faster, easier, and more accessible than ever.
Entrepreneurially minded researchers and start‑ups
As well as supporting established SMEs and scaling companies, PhotonHub’s previous offering has now been extended to also support entrepreneurially minded researchers and start‑ups.
Guidance every step of the way
PhotonHub condenses what might normally take years – from a feasibility study to building and testing prototypes – into a matter of months, with guidance every step of the way.
Tailored support streams
PhotonHub offers tailored support streams for EU companies, depending on their stage, technology readiness level (TRL) and strategic ambitions, which includes bespoke business coaching.
Covering the entire value chain
PhotonHub covers the entire value chain from early‑stage concept (TRL2) and prototyping (TRL3‑4) to upscaling (TRL5‑7).
Wide range of cutting‑edge technology platforms
PhotonHub spans a wide range of cutting‑edge technology platforms to meet the diverse innovation needs of EU companies.
One-stop-shop model
Through its comprehensive one‑stop‑shop model, PhotonHub can support EU companies in accelerating their product development, expanding their offering to customers, and securing additional investment and revenue.
Locations
Our partner network
Our partner network comprises a large number of leading technology service providers as well as business support partners to meet the needs of EU companies interested in innovating through photonics.
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)
- Asociacion De Investigacion Metalurgica Del Noroeste (AIMEN)
- Bright Photonics (BP)
- Centre National De La Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)
- Centre Suisse D’Electronique et de Microtechnique (CSEM)
- Commissariat À L’Énergie Atomique Et Aux Énergies Alternatives (CEA)
- Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche (CNR)
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario Per Le Telecomunicazioni (CNIT)
- Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL)
- European Photonics Industry Consortium (EPIC)
- Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH)
- Fraunhofer Gesellschaft Zur Forderung Der Angewandten Forschung (FHG)
- Fundacio Institut De Ciencies Fotoniques (ICFO)
- Fyzikalni Ustav HiLASE Centre (HLC)
- III-V Lab (35LAB)
- Interuniversitair Micro-Electronica Centrum Vzw (IMEC)
- Joanneum Research Forschungsgesellschaft (JR)
- Laserzentrum Hannover (LZH)
- Leibniz-Institut Fuer Photonische Technologien (IPHT)
- Ligentec (LGT)
- Lionix International (LIO)
- Łukasiewicz – Instytut Mikroelektroniki I Fotoniki (IMIF)
- Nederlandse Organisatie Voor Toegepast Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek (TNO)
- PanDao (PND)
- Politechnika Warszawska (WUT)
- Politecnico Di Milano (PDM)
- Rise Research Institutes Of Sweden (RISE)
- Smart Photonics (SPH)
- Sonnenberg Harrison Partners (SHP)
- Tech Tour (TT)
- Technische Universiteit Eindhoven (TUE)
- Teknologian Tutkimuskeskus (VTT)
- Tyndall National Institute – University College Cork (UCC)
- VLC Photonics (VLC)
Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)
Asociacion De Investigacion Metalurgica Del Noroeste (AIMEN)
Bright Photonics (BP)
Centre National De La Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)
Centre Suisse D’Electronique et de Microtechnique (CSEM)
Commissariat À L’Énergie Atomique Et Aux Énergies Alternatives (CEA)
Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche (CNR)
Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario Per Le Telecomunicazioni (CNIT)
Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL)
European Photonics Industry Consortium (EPIC)
Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH)
Fraunhofer Gesellschaft Zur Forderung Der Angewandten Forschung (FHG)
Fundacio Institut De Ciencies Fotoniques (ICFO)
Fyzikalni Ustav HiLASE Centre (HLC)
III-V Lab (35LAB)
Interuniversitair Micro-Electronica Centrum Vzw (IMEC)
Joanneum Research Forschungsgesellschaft (JR)
Laserzentrum Hannover (LZH)
Leibniz-Institut Fuer Photonische Technologien (IPHT)
Ligentec (LGT)
Lionix International (LIO)
Łukasiewicz – Instytut Mikroelektroniki I Fotoniki (IMIF)
Nederlandse Organisatie Voor Toegepast Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek (TNO)
PanDao (PND)
Politechnika Warszawska (WUT)
Politecnico Di Milano (PDM)
Rise Research Institutes Of Sweden (RISE)
Smart Photonics (SPH)
Sonnenberg Harrison Partners (SHP)
Tech Tour (TT)
Technische Universiteit Eindhoven (TUE)
Teknologian Tutkimuskeskus (VTT)
Tyndall National Institute – University College Cork (UCC)
VLC Photonics (VLC)
PhotonHub Association
Coming soon
The community to connect, develop and grow the photonics innovation ecosystem in Europe.
PhotonHub Europe
2021–2025
EU-funded pan-European one-stop-shop photonics innovation hub.