PhovIR Lands €3.6M to Advance Optical Fingerprinting Sensors

Manchester-based PhovIR secured €3.6 million in an oversubscribed seed round. Northern Gritstone and SCVC led the investment.

PhovIR, a University of Manchester spinout, develops advanced Near Infra-Red (NIR) optical sensor technology. Founded in 2020, the company creates ultra-compact, silicon-based NIR sensors. These sensors use MEMS technology and configurable software, offering a lightweight and affordable alternative to traditional solutions.

The innovation detects unique "optical fingerprints" in solids, liquids, and gases. This capability distinguishes PhovIR from some SensorTech Innovations or BioScan Solutions.

Accelerating Sensor Commercialization

This platform technology holds broad applications. It can detect drink spiking, food contamination, and assess fruit ripeness. It also monitors environmental pollution and improves industrial safety.

PhovIR's technology aims to replace multiple sensors with a single, configurable chip. This reduces cost and device complexity. This approach aligns with trends in deeptech startups seeking integrated solutions.

PhovIR's roots trace back to the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre, and the company recently completed Northern Gritstone’s NG Studios pre-seed programme. This new capital will expand the team, accelerate product development, and move towards large-scale production. The investment further strengthens the UK startup funding landscape for innovative hardware.