Manchester-Based Startup Pioneers NIR Spectroscopy Technology

The journey of PhovIR began in 2023 when Tim Echtermeyer, a prominent figure in the Microelectronics and Nanostructures Research Group at the University of Manchester, founded the company. Leveraging his expertise, PhovIR focuses on developing cutting-edge technology for NIR optical sensors that can be seamlessly integrated into handheld devices. The University of Manchester Innovation Factory website highlights PhovIR's proprietary MEMS technology, which enables spectral analysis in various fields including healthcare monitoring, agriculture, food safety, environmental monitoring, and hazardous material detection.

One of the key features of PhovIR's offerings is its analytical software that provides real-time analysis capabilities. While specific details about the sensor technology remain undisclosed on the website, Echtermeyer's involvement in research on graphene-silicon-on-insulator Schottky diodes for near-infrared photodetectors hints at the innovative approach taken by PhovIR in sensor development. This strategic focus on advanced technology sets PhovIR apart in the competitive landscape of NIR spectroscopy startups.

Drawing parallels to established players in the industry, PhovIR shares similarities with Spectral Engines Oy, a company that emerged from VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland in 2014. Spectral Engines specialized in MEMS-based tunable Fabry-Perot interferometers and garnered significant funding before being acquired by m-u-t AG in 2018. This trajectory showcases the potential growth and impact that innovative sensor technology can have in the market.

Joining the ranks of NIR spectroscopy developers is MantiSpectra BV, a startup based in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, founded in 2020. With a focus on commercializing near-infrared sensor research from the Technical University of Eindhoven, MantiSpectra has secured substantial venture capital funding to propel its growth. The company's flagship product, ChipSense, offers a compact NIR multi-pixel sensor that revolutionizes traditional spectrometry by integrating artificial intelligence for rapid material composition analysis.

As part of the ChipStartUK scheme, PhovIR is positioned as a promising contender among UK startups incubated for their innovative contributions to the field of sensor technology. With a vision to revolutionize spectral analysis and bring advanced sensor capabilities to handheld devices, PhovIR stands at the forefront of the evolving landscape of NIR spectroscopy startups.