University of Illinois at Urbana-Campaign spin-out Phi Optics raises $250k for optical microscopes.
Phi Optics, a spin-out developing optical microscopes, has secured $250,000 in seed backing from a consortium of venture investors led by Serra Ventures.
Other venture investors include Newport Holdings and Illinois Ventures.
The company is commercialising research from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Campaign which allow for faster and more accurate imaging of live cells and tissue using Psi Optics technology, Quantitative Phase Imaging (QPI).
In addition to the venture backing, Phi Optics has also received a Phase 1 Small Business Innovation Research award from the US’ National Science Foundation. These funds were used for a feasibility study to translate QPI out of the laboratory and into a commercial application.
Gabriel Popescu, co-founder and chief executive of Phi Optics, said: “Phi Optics products empower bio-pharma and life sciences academia researchers to explore deeper, discover more, and ultimately cure better.”
