INO
INO (now Luqia) is a Canadian not-for-profit industrial research laboratory specializing in customized optics, photonics, AI, and quantum technology solutions for medical device, aerospace, manufacturing, and infrastructure clients, delivering contract R&D, industrialization services, and off-the-shelf photonic products.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1988
- HeadquartersHamilton, Canada
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What INO does
INO (Institut national d'optique), now operating as Luqia following its 2024 merger with CRIM (Computer Research Institute of Montréal), is a Canadian not-for-profit industrial research laboratory founded in 1988 and headquartered in Quebec City. The organization operates as a contract R&D and industrialization partner, providing customized optical, photonic, AI, and quantum technology solutions to equipment suppliers, manufacturers, research centres, and government agencies across medical devices, aerospace, manufacturing, life sciences, and infrastructure verticals.
The core technology portfolio spans specialty optical fibers and gain modules (FastFBR Yb-doped fibers, LaserNGN), uncooled microbolometric infrared and terahertz imaging cameras (MICROXCAM-384i-THz, MICROXCAM-384i-MLWIR, HDISCC), precision optomechanical positioning systems (patented QuickCTR autocentering and QuickPOZ mounts achieving 5 µm precision), lidar and hyperspectral systems, and AI-enabled industrial inspection platforms (AxomAcu, COMET). Supporting infrastructure includes 300 m² of reconfigurable production space with ISO Class 100/1,000/10,000 cleanrooms and microfabrication facilities, with all operations certified under ISO 9001 and ISO 13485 for medical device manufacturing.
INO generates revenue through three streams: (1) contract R&D and consulting services following a five-step methodology from requirements analysis through prototyping and scale-up, typically structured as multi-year engagements; (2) industrialization and manufacturing services including pilot production, small-batch runs, and technology transfer using compliant facilities; and (3) off-the-shelf hardware sales of cameras, fibers, optomechanical components, and lidar systems. Pricing is quote-based across all streams with no publicly disclosed rates. Customer relationships are anchored by named enterprise engagements including Cerus Corporation (blood safety illuminators), Eikon Therapeutics (drug discovery laser modules), Tornado Spectral Systems (Raman probes), Intellijoint Surgical (FDA-certified 3D surgical navigation), EarthDaily Analytics (space-qualified infrared cameras), and Flyscan Systems (pipeline monitoring), with additional revenue support from government of Quebec/Canada partnerships and corporate membership programs.
INO firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- INO
- Legal name
- Institut national d'optique
- Website
- https://ino.ca
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1988
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- INO (now Luqia) is a Canadian not-for-profit industrial research laboratory specializing in customized optics, photonics, AI, and quantum technology solutions for medical device, aerospace, manufacturing, and infrastructure clients, delivering contract R&D, industrialization services, and off-the-shelf photonic products.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
INO industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Optical and Photonic Solutions
- NAICS
- Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables (334513), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516)
- SIC
- Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Electromedical & Electrotherapeutic Apparatus (3845)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Optoelectronics & Photonics (LED/Laser/Optical ICs) (HDAHAAAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Optoelectronic Components (LEDs, photodiodes, optocouplers, optical sensors) (IMAGAJAF), Systems Integration & Implementation Services (BPAEAAAB)
Keywords
Where INO is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Hamilton
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
INO business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Contract Research and Development Services: Custom R&D and consulting services for developing innovative optical and photonic solutions tailored to specific client needs. Follows structured project methodology from requirements analysis through prototyping to scale-up.
- Industrialization and Manufacturing Services: Pilot manufacturing, small-batch production, and scale-up services with ISO 9001 and ISO 13485 compliant facilities including cleanrooms. Includes product engineering, production engineering, and technology transfer.
- Off-the-Shelf Products: Sale of standardized optical and photonic components and systems including terahertz cameras, infrared cameras, fiber optics, lidar systems, and optomechanical mounts.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom consulting and R&D services - quote-based pricing |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels7 records
INO product offering
Product offeringCore offering
INO is a Canadian industrial innovation laboratory that develops custom optical and photonic solutions, conducts contract R&D, and manufactures specialized products for industrial clients. The organization offers off-the-shelf photonic components (fibers, cameras, optomechanical mounts), AI-enabled intelligent vision systems, and provides end-to-end industrialization services from prototyping to commercial-scale manufacturing. It bridges academic research and industrial application across medical, aerospace, manufacturing, and other verticals.
Product overview
INO (now Luqia Industrial Innovation Laboratory following merger with CRIM) offers a portfolio of photonic and imaging products organized around three main categories: specialty optical fibers and laser components (FastFBR Yb-Doped Fibers, LaserNGN Fiber Gain Modules), advanced imaging systems (terahertz, infrared, hyperspectral, and lidar cameras), and precision optomechanical positioning equipment (QuickCTR, QuickPOZ). These products are complemented by AI-enabled intelligent vision solutions (AxomAcu, COMET) for automated industrial inspection. The company also provides microfabrication and photonic chip foundry services (TFLN), enabling customers to move from prototype to production-scale manufacturing.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- FastFBR Yb-Doped Fibers
- LaserNGN Fiber Gain Modules
- MICROXCAM-384i-THz Terahertz Camera
- Microxcam-384i-MLWIR Infrared Camera
- HDISCC High-Definition Infrared Space Camera Core
- Aeromap Full Waveform Lidar
- Hyperspectral Imaging Station
- QuickCTR Autocentering System
- QuickPOZ Optomechanical Mounts Patented self-positioning optomechanical mounts providing precision, repeatability, and vibration resistance for optical components in laser and imaging systems.
- AxomAcu Intelligent Vision Solution
- COMET Industrial Inspection System
- TFLN Photonic Chip Foundry Services
- Microfabrication Services
- Industrialization and Scale-Up Services
- Contract Research and Development Services
Quantifiable outcome
- $4.6 billion+ in direct economic impacts generated between 2014–2015 and 2023–2024
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use INO
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
INO technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability5 records
Feature7 records
INO partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- Computer Research Institute of Montréal (CRIM)coreCRIM merged with INO in 2024 to form Luqia, creating the largest industrial innovation laboratory in artificial intelligence and photonics in Canada. The merger combines expertise in optics, photonics, AI, and quantum technologies under a single organization.
- Canada Economic Development for Quebec RegionscoreGovernment partner and ex-officio board member providing major financial support enabling Luqia's activities as key innovation laboratory in Quebec.
- Government of QuebeccoreGovernment partner and ex-officio board member as major financial partner making Luqia's activities possible.
- Ville de Québec (City of Quebec)supportingGovernment partner supporting Luqia's activities as member organization.
- ABBsupportingCorporate member of Luqia interested in playing an active role in the optics and photonics innovation ecosystem.
- EarthDaily AnalyticssupportingCorporate member partnered with Luqia to deploy space-qualified infrared camera for satellite constellation. Produced HDISCC cameras for Earth observation.
- CorActivesupportingSpin-off company of INO and current corporate member specializing in specialty optical fibers.
- ThalessupportingCorporate member of Luqia with interests in optics and photonics innovation ecosystem.
- EXFOsupportingCorporate member of Luqia; Michel Leblanc serves on Luqia's board as R&D Director at EXFO.
- CienasupportingCorporate member of Luqia interested in playing an active role in the optics and photonics innovation ecosystem.
- TeraXion (Indie)supportingSpin-off company of INO and current corporate member specializing in optical components.
- OPTELsupportingSpin-off company of INO and current member specializing in optical instrumentation.
- Gentec-eosupportingCorporate member of Luqia focused on optical and photonic solutions.
- Doric LensessupportingCorporate member of Luqia; spin-off company of INO specializing in microlenses.
- LeddarTechsupportingCorporate member of Luqia; spin-off company of INO specializing in solid-state LiDAR technology.
- ESA (European Space Agency)supportingLuqia's uncooled infrared detectors will be used in ESA's Earthcare mission for climate monitoring and forecasting.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
INO competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Hamamatsu Photonics: Large Japanese photonics manufacturer offering IR detectors, cameras, and optical components that overlap with INO's MICROXCAM and HDISCC product lines.
- Coherent Corp: Global laser and photonics company (formerly II-VI/Coherent) producing fiber lasers, optics, and IR imaging components. Directly adjacent to INO's fiber laser and IR camera portfolio.
- MKS Instruments: US instrumentation company serving photonics, semiconductor, and industrial markets with lasers, optics, and motion control — overlapping with INO's optomechanical positioning products.
- Thorlabs: US-based broad-line photonics components and instrumentation vendor. Comparable in optomechanical and fiber optics categories where INO sells off-the-shelf products.
- Jenoptik: German photonics and optical systems company active in industrial metrology, laser material processing, and aerospace optics — overlapping segments with INO's measurement and aerospace work.
Direct peers
- National Research Council Canada (NRC): Canadian federal R&D organization with photonics, aerospace, and industrial programs. Domestic peer sharing similar mandate, government funding base, and customer segments.
- TNO (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research): Dutch contract research organization with photonics, space, and industrial instrumentation programs. Comparable not-for-profit applied-research structure and client base.
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland: Finnish state-owned applied research institute operating in photonics, quantum, and industrial measurement. Closely comparable in mandate, scale, and revenue mix.
- CSEM (Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology): Switzerland's applied R&D center offering contract research, prototyping, and small-batch production in photonics, micro-optics, and MEMS. Closest peer to INO in mission and operating model.
- Fraunhofer Society (IOF, IZM, HHI institutes): Germany's applied research organization running Fraunhofer IOF (photonics), IZM (microelectronics packaging), and HHI (optical networks). Comparable public-funded applied-research model serving industrial clients.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
INO social profiles
Digital presenceINO compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
INO financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
INO leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles14 records
INO funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
INO M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments1 record
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about INO
What does INO do?
INO is a Canadian industrial innovation laboratory that develops custom optical and photonic solutions, conducts contract R&D, and manufactures specialized products for industrial clients. The organization offers off-the-shelf photonic components (fibers, cameras, optomechanical mounts), AI-enabled intelligent vision systems, and provides end-to-end industrialization services from prototyping to commercial-scale manufacturing. It bridges academic research and industrial application across medical, aerospace, manufacturing, and other verticals.
Is INO a public or private company?
INO is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was INO founded?
INO was founded in 1988. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is INO based?
INO is headquartered in Hamilton, Canada, in the North America region.
How does INO make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Contract Research and Development Services are the primary driver. The others are industrialization and Manufacturing Services and off-the-Shelf Products.
Who are INO's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Hamamatsu Photonics, Coherent Corp, MKS Instruments, Thorlabs and Jenoptik. Direct peers are National Research Council Canada (NRC), TNO (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research), VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, CSEM (Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology) and Fraunhofer Society (IOF, IZM, HHI institutes).
Does INO have an API?
No public API is recorded for INO.
What industry is INO in?
INO's product category is Optical and Photonic Solutions. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAHAAAH, Optoelectronics & Photonics (LED/Laser/Optical ICs), with a secondary code of IMAGAJAF, Optoelectronic Components (LEDs, photodiodes, optocouplers, optical sensors). Its NAICS code is 33451 and its SIC code is 3827.