A University of Manchester spinout developing optical sensor technology has raised 拢4m in seed funding to launch its first product and expand its team.聽
PhovIR, which was founded by Dr Tim Echtermeyer and is based at the university鈥檚 Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC), has created a portable sensor that uses near infra-red (NIR) light to identify the unique 鈥榦ptical fingerprint鈥� of solids, liquids and gases.
The technology captures a much broader part of the light spectrum than the human eye can detect, offering real-time analysis of materials and substances.
Manchester-based DeepTech investment firm Northern Gritstone co-led the round alongside specialist investor SCVC.
The startup recently completed NG Studios – Northern Gritstone鈥檚 pre-seed accelerator programme focused on preparing science and technology spinouts for scale.聽
The fund, chaired by Lord Jim O鈥橬eill, has made 37 investments in early-stage Northern businesses since launching in May 2022.
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鈥淭his is a Northern Gritstone NG Studios graduate,鈥� said Duncan Johnson, CEO of Northern Gritstone. 鈥淭he University of Manchester is home to innovation in materials science including graphene.聽
鈥淣orthern Gritstone is delighted to back Dr Tim Echtermeyer and Dr Steve Turley 鈥� graduates of our NG Studios venture building program 鈥� knowing that PhovIR鈥檚 technology has the potential to create a global company.鈥�
The innovation is described as a platform technology with a wide range of potential applications, from detecting drink spiking and contaminants to monitoring pollution, ensuring industrial safety and enabling smarter agriculture.
While NIR sensors are not new, existing devices tend to be large, costly and hard to integrate into portable formats.聽
PhovIR鈥檚 breakthrough lies in miniaturising the technology onto a silicon chip, making it lightweight, scalable and cost-efficient enough to fit into wearables like smartwatches and phones.
Using MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical systems) and customisable software, PhovIR has developed a portable system that replaces multiple sensors and can be produced at scale.
Echtermeyer added: 鈥淚 am exhilarated to enter the next part of PhovIR鈥檚 journey and turn our vision into reality.聽
鈥淚 am grateful to the many people contributing and making this happen; particularly Steve, and William Wren and Minh Vu from the engineering team, who have worked relentlessly.鈥�
PhovIR will also use the funding to build towards its mission of 鈥榤aking the invisible visible鈥� to improve human and planetary health.