PhovIR, a University of Manchester spinout focused on advanced Near Infra-Red (NIR) optical sensor technology, has secured over €3.6 million (£4 million) in a seed round led by Northern Gritstone and SCVC. This funding milestone supports the deeptech startup in launching its first product and scaling operations. Established by Dr. Tim Echtermeyer in 2020 and chaired by tech executive Dr. Steve Turley, PhovIR develops ultra-compact, silicon-based NIR sensors for devices like smartphones and smartwatches. These sensors, unlike traditional NIR technology, are affordable and scalable due to MEMS technology and configurable software. PhovIR’s sensors detect unique optical fingerprints in NIR spectra, applicable across various industries such as food safety, agriculture, environmental monitoring, and industrial safety. Dr. Tim Echtermeyer expressed excitement about advancing PhovIR’s mission and acknowledged the team’s contributions. Originating from the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre, PhovIR recently completed Northern Gritstone’s pre-seed programme to refine its market strategy. The technology aims to replace multiple sensors with one chip, reducing costs and complexity. Dr. Steve Turley highlighted the collaboration with PhovIR as an opportunity to turn UK innovation into global success. With new funds, PhovIR intends to expand its team, accelerate development, and advance towards large-scale production. The sensor’s ability to reveal unseen aspects is key to health, safety, sustainability, and diagnostics. Duncan Johnson, CEO of Northern Gritstone, emphasized Manchester’s innovative environment and expressed support for PhovIR’s potential for global impact.
