The expected outcomes of PhotonHub Europe’s "Test-Before-Invest" call include:

1. Increased Photonics Adoption: The initiative aims to accelerate the adoption of photonic technologies among European SMEs, enabling them to innovate without bearing significant financial or technical risk. By providing access to high-quality photonics infrastructure and expertise, PhotonHub expects more companies to incorporate photonics into their products, processes, or services.
2. Enhanced Product Innovation and Competitiveness: SMEs are expected to bring new or improved products to market more efficiently through photonic solutions. These innovations are likely to improve the functionality, quality, or efficiency of existing products or create entirely new offerings, thereby enhancing the competitive position of these companies in the global market.
3. Accelerated Time-to-Market: By offering hands-on support through prototyping, scaling, and manufacturing phases, the call aims to shorten development cycles for photonics-enhanced products. This acceleration allows companies to bring their innovations to market faster, responding swiftly to market demands and opportunities.
4. Strengthened Photonics Ecosystem in Europe: Through its cross-border support and collaboration network, PhotonHub seeks to foster a robust ecosystem for photonics innovation across Europe. This includes building stronger connections between photonics experts, research institutions, and industry partners, creating a more interconnected and supportive landscape for photonic advancements.
5. Reduced Risk and Cost Barriers for SMEs: The initiative intends to minimize the financial and technical risks associated with adopting new photonic technologies. By providing partial funding and expert guidance, the call helps SMEs explore photonics without committing fully upfront, reducing entry barriers and encouraging more companies to take their first steps into this advanced technology space.
6. Sustainable Economic Growth and Job Creation: By promoting photonics-based innovation and industrial growth, the program is expected to contribute to sustainable economic development across Europe. This includes potential job creation within the photonics sector and across related industries that benefit from photonic technologies, fostering a skilled workforce in a growing field.

In summary, the "Test-Before-Invest" call aims to drive widespread photonics adoption, enhance competitiveness, and build a collaborative, innovation-friendly environment for European SMEs, ultimately contributing to Europe’s position as a leader in photonics.