What Singular Photonics does

Singular Photonics is a fabless semiconductor company that designs and sells SPAD (Single Photon Avalanche Diode) image sensors with integrated on-chip computation. The company was spun out in 2024 from the University of Edinburgh's CMOS Sensors and Systems group, founded by CEO Shahida Imani and CTO Aravind Venugopalan under the scientific leadership of Prof Robert Henderson. Its sensors are built on a 3D-stacked, backside-illuminated CMOS architecture that places a logic layer directly beneath a SPAD photodetector layer, enabling in-pixel processing such as autocorrelation, histogramming, and time-resolved photon counting. The company sells two core products: the Andarta 512x512 SPAD array sensor, which performs 0.5 trillion operations per second at 0.3W in a 5mm x 5mm package for biomedical imaging and quantum sensing, and the Sirona 512-pixel SPAD line sensor, which simultaneously captures fluorescence and Raman signals for spectroscopy and microscopy applications.

The company monetizes through direct B2B sales of sensor hardware to scientific instrumentation, biomedical imaging, and quantum research customers, supplemented by an exclusive European distribution partnership with AMS Technologies. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. Its first commercial deployment was in December 2025 through a co-development with Renishaw, whose inVia confocal Raman microscope was launched with Time-Resolved Raman Spectroscopy enabled by Singular's Sirona sensor. The company holds ISO 9001 certification (awarded February 2026) and operates from the Higgs Centre for Innovation at the Royal Observatory in Edinburgh with a headcount of 1-10. Funding details are not publicly disclosed beyond a single April 2024 round of unspecified amount.

Name

Singular Photonics

Legal name

Singular Photonics Limited

Website

https://singularphotonics.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Singular Photonics is a fabless semiconductor company that designs SPAD-based image sensors with integrated on-chip computation, selling to scientific instrumentation, biomedical imaging, and quantum sensing customers in Europe and globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Semiconductor Image Sensors

NAICS

Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)

SIC

Semiconductors & Related Devices (3674), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827)

akta.pro primary industry

Photodiodes & Discrete Photodetectors (HDAHAHAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Optoelectronic Receivers & Transceivers (Photodetectors/Optical Modules) (HDAHALAM), Optoelectronic Components (LEDs, photodiodes, optocouplers, optical sensors) (IMAGAJAF), Quantum Photonics & Quantum Imaging (Single-Photon, Lidar, Ghost Imaging) (HDAGAHAF)

Keywords

• SPAD image sensors
• Single photon detection
• CMOS image sensors
• Computational imaging sensors
• Time-resolved spectroscopy

Headquarters

HQ city

Edinburgh

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. SPAD Image Sensor Sales: Singular Photonics generates revenue through the sale of its proprietary SPAD-based image sensors including the Andarta (512x512 array) and Sirona (512-pixel line sensor) products. The company operates as a fabless semiconductor, selling sensors directly to customers and through distribution partners for European markets.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Singular Photonics is a fabless semiconductor company that designs SPAD (Single Photon Avalanche Diode) image sensors with integrated on-chip computation. It sells two main sensor products—the Andarta 512x512 SPAD array and the Sirona 512-pixel SPAD line sensor—used for biomedical imaging, Raman/fluorescence spectroscopy, quantum sensing, and machine vision applications. The company sells these sensors directly to OEMs, research labs, and system integrators, and through distribution partners such as AMS Technologies in Europe.

Product overview

Singular Photonics is a fabless semiconductor company pioneering SPAD-based image sensors with integrated on-chip computation. The company offers two distinct sensor products: the Andarta and the Sirona. Andarta is the flagship 512×512 SPAD array sensor designed for biomedical imaging and quantum sensing applications, featuring a 128×128 macropixel architecture that performs in-pixel, on-chip autocorrelation calculations for real-time physiological signal processing at sub-microsecond resolution. Sirona is a 512-pixel SPAD-based line sensor purpose-built for spectroscopy, incorporating on-chip time binning and histogramming to simultaneously capture fluorescence and Raman signals with high temporal precision. Both sensors execute optical signal processing within the sensor itself, minimizing data transfer and power consumption while enabling compact, energy-efficient imaging solutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Andarta Flagship 512x512 SPAD array sensor built on 3D-stacked backside-illuminated (BSI) CMOS technology. Uses a densely parallel 128x128 macropixel architecture to perform in-pixel, on-chip autocorrelation and histogram calculations. Delivers 0.5 trillion MAC/s at 0.3 W in a 5 mm x 5 mm package, supporting autocorrelation, gated mode, and ultra-high-speed imaging for biomedical and quantum applications.
• Sirona 512-pixel SPAD-based line sensor with two types of SPADs per pixel, designed for time-resolved multispectral beam-scanned imaging and microscopy. Integrates on-chip time-resolved processing and histogramming to simultaneously capture fluorescence and Raman signals with high temporal precision for spectroscopy applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• 0.5 trillion operations per second while consuming just 0.3 watts of power
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• RenishawcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 December 2025Strategic collaboration to integrate Singular's Sirona SPAD sensor into Renishaw's inVia confocal Raman microscope, enabling Time-Resolved Raman Spectroscopy (TRRS). The partnership originated from Singular Photonics' inception at the University of Edinburgh, with deep technical collaboration dating back to before the spin-out. Renishaw launched the updated inVia with TRRS capabilities, allowing high-quality spectra capture from previously difficult fluorescent samples.
• AMS TechnologiescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 13 June 2025Strategic partnership making AMS Technologies Singular Photonics' distribution and support partner for the European market. AMS, Europe's leading distributor and solution provider for optical technologies, leverages its extensive sales network and trusted industry reputation to deliver Singular's SPAD sensors to OEMs, research labs, and system integrators across Europe.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• STMicroelectronics: STMicroelectronics offers SPAD-based direct Time-of-Flight sensors (e.g., VL53L series) and is one of the largest SPAD sensor suppliers globally. Comparable as a broad incumbent in the same SPAD product category, with much larger scale and a focus on consumer/industrial depth sensing.
• onsemi: onsemi (formerly ON Semiconductor) produces SPAD-based LiDAR sensors and SiPM arrays for automotive and industrial depth sensing. Comparable as a broad incumbent in the SPAD sensor category with significant R&D scale and automotive-grade qualification.
• Canon: Canon has developed SPAD image sensors with high-resolution arrays and is a major imaging incumbent investing in single-photon detection. Comparable as a broad incumbent in the SPAD/imaging space with significant R&D capacity and global distribution.
• Sony Semiconductor Solutions: Sony is the dominant global image sensor manufacturer and has developed SPAD-based depth sensors (e.g., IMX series) for ToF and LiDAR. Comparable to Singular Photonics as a large incumbent pursuing SPAD technology across mass-market applications, though from a vastly broader CMOS imaging portfolio.
• Hamamatsu Photonics: Hamamatsu is a global leader in photonics detectors including SPAD modules, single-photon counting modules, and scientific imaging sensors. Comparable to Singular as a broad incumbent serving scientific instrumentation, biomedical, and quantum sensing customers with single-photon detection solutions.

Direct peers

• ID Quantique: ID Quantique is a Swiss company providing single-photon detection solutions including SPAD-based systems for quantum communications, quantum sensing, and biomedical imaging. Comparable to Singular as a direct peer in single-photon detection serving overlapping quantum and biomedical customers.
• Aurea Technology: Aurea Technology is a French company designing SPAD-based single-photon counting modules and cameras for quantum optics, biophotonics, and spectroscopy. Comparable to Singular as a direct peer in SPAD-based scientific instrumentation with similar customers in research labs and OEMs.
• Micro Photon Devices (MPD): MPD (Micro Photon Devices) is an Italian company specializing in SPAD detectors and single-photon counting modules for biophotonics, FLIM, and quantum applications. Comparable to Singular as a direct peer in SPAD-based single-photon detection with overlapping scientific instrumentation end markets.
• Photon Force: Photon Force is a UK-based fabless company specializing in SPAD array sensors and cameras for scientific imaging, FLIM, and single-photon applications. Comparable to Singular as a direct peer in SPAD-based scientific imaging with similar target customers and academic heritage.
• Pixel Photonics: Pixel Photonics is a German deep-tech startup developing SNSPD-style single-photon detector technology with on-chip readout for quantum and biomedical applications. Comparable to Singular as a direct peer in next-generation single-photon detection with a fabless/spin-out model and overlap in quantum and biomedical end markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/singular-photonics

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors6 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Singular Photonics