The Phortify consortium is pleased to announce the upcoming Phortify Industry Meeting, taking place on 16 September 2026 in Jena, Germany.
The meeting will bring together representatives from industry, academia, research organisations, clusters, and talent-development initiatives to exchange perspectives on the future of photonics education and skills development in Europe. With a strong focus on dialogue between higher education and industry, the event will address current and future qualification needs in the dynamic photonics sector in light of disruptive global developments.
Scope of the Meeting
- Connect with companies, research institutes, photonics clusters, and innovation partners
- Influence how photonics education can better match future industry requirements
- Gain visibility within the European photonics talent, education and innovation ecosystem
- Discuss the influence of AI, digitalisation, and global market dynamics on photonics
- Explore collaboration opportunities in training, recruitment, technology transfer, and applied R&D
- Use targeted networking formats, lab tours, and the exclusive Photonics Dinner for high-value contacts
- Get to know Jena, Germany’s “City of Light”, and its unique photonics ecosystem.
Photrify Keynotes
- Prof. Heidi OTTEVAERE, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Phortify Spokesperson and General Chair of the Meeting
- Prof. Michael TOTZECK, Fellow and Head of Innovation Management in Corporate Research at ZEISS, Keynote Talk: ” Smarter, smaller, spookier: Optics and photonics in the age of AI, Integration and Quanta”
- Dr. Jose POZO, CTO Optica, Keynote Talk: “Global Photonics: Drivers, Trends & the Europe Opportunity “
Confirmed Speakers
- Luc AUGUSTIN, Smart Photonics, Netherlands
- Tino EIDAM, Active Fiber Systems, Germany
- Heidi OTTEVAERE, Vrije Universiteit Brussels, Belgium
- Ludovic LESCIEUX, ALPHANOV, France
- Jose POZO, OPTICA, United States
- Juha PUHONEN, Photonics Finland Cluster, Finland
- Michael TOTZECK, ZEISS, Germany
- Pasi VAHIMAA, University of Eastern Finland, Finland
Early-bird benefit: Co-location with Jena’s Photonics Days 2026
Already on 15 September 2026, participants are warmly invited to join Jena’s Photonics Days 2026, taking place one day before the main Phortify Industry Meeting.
As one of Jena’s established photonics events, Photonics Days 2026 offers additional opportunities to connect with experts, industry representatives, researchers, and talented young professionals in optics and photonics. Participants can interact directly with tomorrow’s photonics talent pool, share internship and master’s thesis opportunities, and connect students with future career paths in photonics.
The co-location of both events creates an ideal setting for networking, knowledge exchange, and stronger links between education, research, and industry.
Please note that separate registration is required for Photonics Days 2026.
Event details
📍 Abbe Center of Photonics, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, and Fraunhofer Institute of Applied Optics and Precision Engineering IOF, Albert-Einstein-Str. 6/7, 07745 Jena, Germany
📅 15–16 September 2026
For the full program, speaker details, and registration, please visit the Phortify Industry Meeting. We look forward to welcoming our partners to Jena for two inspiring days of dialogue, collaboration, and shaping the future of photonics education together.
