Top Optical Microscope startups
There are 38 Optical Microscope startups which include ONI, M Squared, Nicoya Life, SMi, CrestOptics. Out of these, 21 startups are funded, with 12 having secured Series A+ funding. United States has the most number of companies in Optical Microscope (9), followed by Germany
(6), and then China (4).
Notably, several of these startups have been founded by alumni of INSEAD, Peking University and Stanford University.
Here is the list of top Optical Microscope Startups
1. ONI
Biotechnology company specializing in super-resolution microscopy systems. These instruments utilize single molecule localization techniques to visualize biological structures at the nanoscale. The product line includes benchtop microscopes capable of various imaging modalities such as dSTORM, PALM, and DNA-PAINT. These systems support applications in cell biology, microbiology, and nanoparticle characterization. The hardware integrates with cloud-based software platforms designed for data analysis, clustering, and collaborative research. Additionally, the company provides reagents and kits to facilitate sample labeling and preparation for high-precision imaging workflows.
Key facts about ONI
- Founded Year: 2016
- Location: Oxford (United Kingdom)
- Stage: Series B
- Total Funding till date: $113M
- Investors: Oxford Science Enterprises, Arch Venture Partners and 21 Others
- Latest Funding Round: Series B, Dec 21, 2021, $*****
- Tracxn Score: 65/100 What is this?
- Competitors Rank: 3 of 231 Competitors
2. M Squared
Developer of light-sheet microscopy systems for multiple business verticals. It offers products for neuroscience, developmental biology, cancer biology, regenerative medicine, and other biosciences verticals. Its product range includes low-end IR to the high-end IR spectrum. They were awarded the IOP innovation award in 2015. Applications range from optical metrology to non-destructive testing.
Key facts about M Squared
- Founded Year: 2006
- Location: Glasgow (United Kingdom)
- Stage: Series B
- Total Funding till date: $30.7M
- Investors: BGF, Barclays and 9 Others
- Latest Funding Round: Series B, Nov 23, 2020, $*****
- Tracxn Score: 60/100 What is this?
- Competitors Rank: 13 of 368 Competitors
3. Nicoya Life
Provider of hyperspectral optical microscopes for surface analysis. It offers a personalized device for the measurement and characterization of biomolecular interactions. Its surface plasmon resonance sensor enables interactions between proteins, antibodies, DNA, RNA, peptides, polymers, and more to be studied with nanoscale resolution.
Key facts about Nicoya Life
- Founded Year: 2012
- Location: Kitchener (Canada)
- Stage: Series A
- Total Funding till date: $35M
- Investors: Whitecap Venture Partners, Golden Triangle Angel Network and 19 Others
- Latest Funding Round: Series A, Dec 16, 2021, $*****
- Tracxn Score: 59/100 What is this?
- Competitors Rank: 7 of 105 Competitors

4. SMi
Developer of a single molecule imaging tool for research and clinical diagnostics. It offers optical technology-based diagnostic device for detecting single molecules that are associated with infectious and non-infectious diseases and a microscope to facilitate the detection of interactions between a therapeutic target and the antibodies or small molecule drugs.
Key facts about SMi
- Founded Year: 2018
- Location: Cambridge (United Kingdom)
- Stage: Seed
- Total Funding till date: $4.58M
- Investors: Ukri and Norcliffe Capital
- Latest Funding Round: Seed, Jun 14, 2023, $*****
- Tracxn Score: 48/100 What is this?
- Competitors Rank: 16 of 273 Competitors

5. CrestOptics
Manufacturer of microscopy devices for multiple diagnostic applications. The company has developed an X-Light V2 spinning disk model device that helps in viewing live and fixed cell imaging. It also provides X-Light NIR confocal system that allows performing fluorescence imaging in the optical range 700-1600nm. Other products include X-Light 20K rpm, X-Light V2 L-FOV, VCS Super resolutions model, and many more.
Key facts about CrestOptics
- Founded Year: 2010
- Location: Rome (Italy)
- Stage: Acquired
- Investors: Xyence Capital, Aldabra Capital and 1 Other
- Tracxn Score: 47/100 What is this?
- Competitors Rank: 18 of 263 Competitors