What StellarNet does

StellarNet, Inc. is a privately held, founder-owned manufacturer of miniature fiber optic spectrometers headquartered in Tampa, Florida, founded in 1991 and operating continuously for over 30 years with 11-50 employees. The company designs and builds compact spectrometer instruments covering UV-VIS (190-1100nm), NIR (900-2500nm), and Raman (532, 785, and 1064nm) wavelength ranges, using proprietary concave grating optics (BLACK-Comet) that eliminate mirrors, thermoelectric and deep-vacuum-sealed detector cooling, and modular sensor architectures incorporating Sony ILX511 CCD, Toshiba TCD1304DG CMOS, Hamamatsu S11639-01 CMOS, and InGaAs linear photodiode arrays. Core product lines include the BLUE-Wave and BLACK-Comet UV-VIS spectrometers, the DWARF-Star and RED-Wave NIR instruments, the StellarElite high-performance family (Quasar, HYPER-Nova, Mercury-OCT), and an expanding handheld and portable analyzer portfolio (StellarRAD, ColorWiz, ChemWiz, ChemWiz-ADK, StellarRAM, StellarCASE-LIBS, StellarCASE-Raman). The hardware catalog is complemented by a comprehensive accessory ecosystem (light sources, fiber optic cables, integrating spheres, probes) and a multi-platform software stack (SpectraWiz, StellarPro, LabVIEW, Excel VBA, Python SDK, Raspberry Pi bootable image, iOS and Android mobile apps).

StellarNet operates a hybrid direct and channel go-to-market: it sells directly through its corporate website with an interactive online quotation generator and a dedicated e-commerce storefront (shopstellarnet.com), while distributing internationally through a worldwide dealer network, OEM spectral engine partners, and field application sales engineers. Revenue is generated primarily through one-time hardware sales (entry-level GREEN-Wave from $2,350; high-end StellarElite Raman microscope configurations exceeding $130,000), recurring NIST traceable calibration and warranty services ($295-$2,000 annually), OEM licensing of mini spectral engines, and accessories; software is largely bundled with hardware, with advanced modules and mobile app source codes ($595-$1,500) sold separately.

The company addresses nine vertical segments spanning food and agriculture, pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals, cosmetics and personal care, lighting and display manufacturing, plastics and polymers, oil and gas, forensics, academic and research, and medical and healthcare, as well as OEM customers embedding spectroscopy into their own products. End-markets are growing at 8-15% CAGR depending on the segment definition (global micro spectrometers $391M in 2025 to $665M by 2032; US spectral sensor market $1.2-1.5B in 2026). With no disclosed external funding rounds, no institutional investors, and no M&A activity in the input data, StellarNet appears to be a bootstrapped, founder-controlled specialist instrument vendor competing against larger incumbents such as Hamamatsu, Ocean Insight, and Viavi in a 17-company micro spectrometer market.

Name

StellarNet

Legal name

StellarNet, Inc.

Website

https://stellarnet.us

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

StellarNet is a founder-owned, Tampa-based manufacturer of miniature fiber optic spectrometers (UV-VIS, NIR, Raman) and handheld analyzers serving food, pharma, cosmetics, lighting, and OEM customers worldwide through direct e-commerce and a global dealer network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Scientific Instrumentation — Optical Spectroscopy

NAICS

Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516)

SIC

Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827)

akta.pro primary industry

Mass Spectrometry & Spectroscopy Instruments (HLAGAIAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Optoelectronic Receivers & Transceivers (Photodetectors/Optical Modules) (HDAHALAM)

Keywords

• Fiber optic spectrometers
• UV-VIS spectroscopy instruments
• NIR miniature spectrometers
• Raman spectroscopy systems
• Portable spectroscopic analyzers

Headquarters

HQ city

Tampa

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Spectrometer Hardware Sales: Sale of miniature fiber optic spectrometers ranging from entry-level GREEN-Wave ($2,350) to high-performance StellarElite systems ($130,810+). Modular systems with preconfigured bundles for specific applications. One-time perpetual hardware purchase with optional upgrades and accessories.
2. Light Sources and Accessories: Comprehensive accessory catalog including fiber optic cables, probes, cuvettes, integrating spheres, Raman probes, and light sources. Prices from $60 to $8,000+ per accessory. Note: 30% surcharge on accessory orders without spectrometer instrumentation.
3. Software Licenses and Updates: SpectraWiz software included free with hardware purchase. StellarPro software free for basic functionality. Advanced modules and mobile app source codes available for purchase ($595-$1,500). ChemWiz-ADK chemometrics software now free in StellarPro.
4. Calibration and Technical Services: Annual NIST traceable calibration services ranging from $350-$700 per item. Spectrometer evaluation service ($450), extended support packages ($295/year), and wizard-care extended warranty packages ($375-$2,000 depending on model).
5. OEM and Custom Solutions: Mini spectral engines for OEM integration, custom wavelength configurations, and development tools for developers. DWARF-Star and other NIR engines available with OEM pricing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

StellarNet manufactures miniature fiber optic spectrometers spanning UV-VIS, NIR, and Raman spectral ranges (190–2500nm) with proprietary concave grating optics, complemented by preconfigured modular systems, handheld and portable analyzers, light sources, probes, and spectroscopy software. The company sells directly through its website and a global dealer network to industrial, research, and OEM customers needing rugged, portable, NIST-traceable spectroscopic measurement solutions.

Product overview

StellarNet is a manufacturer of miniature fiber optic spectrometers offering a comprehensive portfolio of optical instruments, systems, and software. The product line centers on spectrometers across multiple spectral ranges: UV-VIS (BLUE-Wave, BLACK-Comet, BLACK-Comet-SR, SILVER-Nova, GREEN-Wave), NIR (DWARF-Star, RED-Wave, RED-Wave-Micro), and Raman (532nm, 785nm, 1064nm configurations). The StellarElite high-performance sub-brand includes Quasar and HYPER-Nova spectrometers with enhanced sensitivity through deep cooling. StellarNet complements its spectrometer line with preconfigured modular systems for LED measurement, solar measurement, display testing, fluorescence, Raman analysis, haze measurement, and thin-film metrology. The handheld analyzer product line includes StellarRAD (spectroradiometer), ColorWiz (colorimeter), ChemWiz (spectrophotometer), ChemWiz-ADK (NIR), and StellarRAM (Raman). Portable analyzers are offered in the StellarCASE format (LIBS, Raman, NIR). Light sources include SL series deuterium, tungsten halogen, and mercury argon lamps. Accessories encompass fiber optic cables, probes, integrating spheres, cosine receptors, and Raman probes. Software offerings include SpectraWiz, StellarPro (Windows/Mac/Linux), LabVIEW integration, Python SDK, and mobile apps for iOS and Android. The company also provides OEM spectrometer solutions for embedded applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• StellarElite: High performance spectrometer line featuring Quasar, HYPER-Nova, and Mercury-OCT spectrometers for demanding research applications.
• StellarSCOPE
• StellarCASE
• ChemWiz
• ColorWiz
• StellarRAD
• StellarRAM
• SpectraWiz
• StellarPro

Products and services

• BLUE-Wave Miniature Spectrometer Miniature fiber optic spectrometer with 2048 element CCD detector, USB-2 interface, covering 200–1150nm range with 16 wavelength options for UV-VIS spectroscopy applications.
• BLACK-Comet UV-VIS Spectrometer Concave grating spectrometer for UV-VIS (190–900nm) using aberration-corrected optics with no mirrors, providing uniform resolution and minimal stray light (<0.02%@435nm).
• BLACK-Comet-SR Super Range Spectrometer Super range concave grating spectrometer covering UV-VIS-NIR (200–1100nm) with aberration-corrected optics for extended spectral range.
• SILVER-Nova Spectrometer Super range UV-VIS-NIR spectrometer (200–1100nm) with TE-cooled detector for enhanced sensitivity and stability.
• HR High Resolution Spectrometer High resolution fiber optic spectrometer with down to 0.1nm resolution, 2048 element detector, covering 200–1100nm range.
• GREEN-Wave Education Spectrometer Low-cost miniature fiber optic spectrometer designed for education and teaching with 8 models available, covering 350–1150nm.
• DWARF-Star NIR Miniature Spectrometer Miniature InGaAs NIR spectrometer (900–1700nm) with compact 5x2x3 inch design and robust construction, available in 512 or 1024 element PDA configurations.
• RED-Wave NIR Spectrometer Extended range NIR spectrometer with cooled detector, covering 900–2500nm with 16nm resolution.
• 532nm Raman Spectrometer High resolution Raman spectrometer with enhanced CCD tuned for 532nm laser wavelength, covering 200–5250 cm-1 with advanced detector lens assembly.
• 785nm Raman Spectrometer High resolution Raman spectrometer with enhanced CCD for 785nm laser, covering 200–2750 cm-1 with thermoelectric cooling for sensitive applications.
• 1064nm Raman Spectrometer High resolution NIR Raman spectrometer with InGaAs array detector tuned for 1064nm laser wavelength, covering 200–2250 cm-1 with TE cooling.
• Quasar High Throughput Spectrometer f/2 optical design Raman spectrometer with over 10x photon collection for 10x faster measurements, available in TEC and UltraCool deep-cooling versions.
• HYPER-Nova High Performance Spectrometer High performance spectrometer with front-illuminated or back-illuminated deep-depleted CCD cooled to -60°C, available for UVIS, 532, 638, and 785nm Raman applications.
• StellarScope AM/PA Analyzer Automated system combining particle imaging and Raman spectroscopy for detecting microscopic contaminants in cosmetics, personal care, nutraceuticals, and consumer goods.
• StellarRAD Handheld Spectroradiometer Handheld spectroradiometer for NIST traceable light measurement (350–1100nm) with less than 1nm resolution; measures irradiance, illuminance, chromaticity, CCT, CRI, and spectral distribution.
• ColorWiz Handheld Colorimeter Handheld colorimeter for full spectrum colorimetry (350–1100nm) measuring CIE L*a*b*, RGB, Chroma, Hue, Luminosity, SRM, Lovibond, and EBC parameters.
• ChemWiz Handheld Spectrophotometer Handheld absorbance spectrophotometer for chemical concentration analysis (350–1100nm) with user-created calibration methods for field and lab analysis.
• ChemWiz-ADK Handheld NIR Spectrometer Handheld NIR spectrometer (900–1700nm) with built-in Analyzer Development Kit including spectral matching, save/search functionality, and PLS calibration builder/predictor software.
• StellarRAM Handheld Raman Analyzer Handheld Raman analyzer with 785nm Class 3B laser (200–2000 cm-1) for material identification, explosives, narcotics, and food additive detection with 6-hour battery.
• StellarCASE-LIBS Portable LIBS System Rugged portable case system for elemental analysis using LIBS (Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy) with 1064nm Nd:YAG laser and 200–800nm spectrometer.
• StellarCASE-Raman Portable Raman System Portable Raman case system with 785nm laser, TE-cooled spectrometer (200–2300 cm-1), 8-hour battery, and pre-installed SpectraWiz ID for molecular identification.
• OEM Spectrometer Solutions Mini spectral engines for OEM integration including UV-VIS, NIR, and Raman configurations with customizable software and application processors for embedding spectroscopy into third-party products.
• StellarPro Spectroscopy Software Advanced Windows/Mac/Linux spectroscopy software combining SpectraWiz features with application modules for radiometry, colorimetry, chemometrics, spectral ID, Raman, multichannel, haze, and thin-film analysis.
• Python Application Driver (SDK) Python SDK for spectrometer control and data acquisition on Windows, Linux, Raspberry Pi, and Mac platforms.

Quantifiable outcome

• Signal to noise ratio: <=1000:1 with CCD, <=2000:1 with PDA, <3500:1 with InGaAs
• +5 more outcomes

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

AI capability6 records

Feature8 records

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Ocean Insight: Formerly Ocean Optics, Ocean Insight is the closest direct peer — a manufacturer of miniature fiber optic spectrometers (USB-series, NIRQuest, FX-series), light sources, and accessories serving UV-VIS-NIR applications across industrial, life science, and research markets.
• Avantes: Avantes is a Dutch-based direct competitor producing compact fiber optic spectrometers (AvaSpec series) covering UV-VIS-NIR and IR wavelengths, with extensive modular systems, light sources, and OEM offerings — competing head-to-head with StellarNet's BLUE-Wave, BLACK-Comet, and DWARF-Star lines.
• B&W Tek (Metrohm): B&W Tek, now part of Metrohm, manufactures handheld and modular Raman spectrometers (i-Raman, TacticID) for material identification, pharma, and security applications. Direct overlap with StellarNet's StellarRAM, StellarCASE-Raman, and Raman modular systems.
• Wasatch Photonics: Wasatch Photonics produces compact Raman spectrometers and OCT engines (WP Raman, Cobra OCT) targeting research, OEM, and industrial applications. Closely comparable to StellarNet's Raman product line and OEM spectral engine strategy.
• BaySpec: BaySpec designs and manufactures compact UV-VIS-NIR and Raman spectrometers (Agility, RockHound) including OEM spectral engines and handheld analyzers. Directly comparable product portfolio and go-to-market approach to StellarNet.

Broad incumbents

• Hamamatsu Photonics: Hamamatsu is a global photonics giant producing miniature spectrometers (TG series, C10000) along with detectors, light sources, and optical components. It is both a broad incumbent and a key component supplier to StellarNet (S11639-01 CMOS detector), making it both competitor and supplier.
• HORIBA Scientific: HORIBA Scientific is a major spectroscopy incumbent offering Raman (LabRAM), fluorescence, and UV-VIS-NIR spectrometers across research and industrial markets. Comparable to StellarNet in Raman and modular spectroscopy but with a much broader scientific instruments portfolio.
• Renishaw: Renishaw is a leading Raman spectroscopy incumbent (inVia, RA802) serving pharmaceutical, materials science, and research markets. Comparable to StellarNet's Raman product line but with stronger presence in pharmaceutical QC and confocal Raman microscopy.
• VIAVI Solutions: VIAVI Solutions offers optical spectrum analyzers and thin-film measurement systems (Spectra series) primarily for telecom and photonics manufacturing. Comparable to StellarNet's optical spectrum analyzers and thin-film metrology offerings, though focused on telecom use cases.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific: Thermo Fisher offers a broad portfolio of laboratory analytical instruments including UV-VIS spectrophotometers (Evolution, NanoDrop), Raman microscopes (DXR3), and FTIR systems. Comparable to StellarNet's lab spectroscopy products but as part of a much larger scientific instruments portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/stellarnet
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/StellarNet
• Facebookfacebook.com/StellarNet-Inc-139336407890
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/stellarnet-inc-

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 StellarNet