What Grintech does

Grintech GmbH is a privately held German precision-optics manufacturer founded in December 1999 as a spin-off from the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering (IOF) in Jena. The company specializes in gradient index (GRIN) micro-optics manufactured through a proprietary, non-toxic silver and lithium ion exchange process in glass — a method described as unique worldwide and enabling biocompatible (EN ISO 10993-1) lenses with diameters down to 0.2–0.25 mm (and reportedly as small as 125 µm on request) and plane optical surfaces. Its product portfolio spans GRIN rod lenses, GRIN assemblies for endoscopic imaging, fiber optic modules, GRIN needle endomicroscopes (0.5–1.0 mm diameter), miniature high-NA objectives (SpheroCor, FieldAchromatic, ReduCurv series), and ultra-compact laser line modules, with complementary positioning and handling tools.

The company operates a hybrid go-to-market combining direct enterprise OEM engagement — including exclusive supply relationships with Inscopix (non-human neuroscience miniscopes) and Micro-Epsilon (confocal chromatic sensors, scanCONTROL laser scanners) — with regional distributors in Japan (Luminex Trading), China (Hangzhou SPL Photonics), and Korea (Seongkyeong Photonics). Pricing is quoted in EUR under ex-works (EXW) terms with net-14-day payment on a per-order basis; no subscription or licensing model exists, and revenue is generated through one-time sales of customized OEM systems and standard catalog products. Customers are concentrated in four verticals: neuroscience and biomedical research, medical imaging and cancer diagnostics, semiconductor and industrial metrology, and sensor technology and automation.

Grintech is led by co-Managing Directors Anke Kräplin and Dr. Bernhard Messerschmidt following the autumn 2024 retirement of co-founder Dr. Torsten Poßner. The company employs approximately 50 staff at its 2,500 sqm Jena21 headquarters and is the recognized 2023 'Hidden Champion in Thuringia.' It is an owner-managed Mittelstand firm with no disclosed external venture or private equity investment, no parent or subsidiary structure, and no published revenue.

Name

Grintech

Legal name

GRINTECH GmbH

Website

https://grintech.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Grintech GmbH is a privately held German manufacturer of gradient index (GRIN) micro-optics produced via a proprietary non-toxic ion exchange process. It supplies miniaturized lenses, endomicroscopes, and fiber optic modules to OEM customers in neuroscience, medical imaging, semiconductor metrology, and industrial sensing.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Photonics micro-optics components

NAICS

Glass and Glass Product Manufacturing (32721)

SIC

Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827)

akta.pro primary industry

Optoelectronics & Photonics (LED/Laser/Optical ICs) (HDAHAAAH)

Keywords

• Gradient index lenses
• Micro-optics manufacturing
• Endoscopic imaging optics
• Fiber optic modules
• Laser line modules

Headquarters

HQ city

Jena

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom OEM Optical Systems: GRINTECH develops and manufactures customized OEM solutions — from prototypes through small and medium series to series production — tailored to individual customer requirements in micro-optics and optical systems. Projects span from initial concept through optical design, construction, assembly, qualification, and application testing.
2. Standard Product Catalog: GRINTECH sells standard catalog products including GRIN rod lenses, GRIN assemblies for imaging, fiber optic modules, GRIN needle endomicroscopes, miniature high-NA objectives, laser line modules, and positioning/handling tools. Products are offered via printed catalogs and downloadable PDF catalogs on the website.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

GRINTECH develops and manufactures gradient index (GRIN) micro-optics and optical assemblies for OEM customers. It produces standard catalog products (GRIN rod lenses, GRIN needle endomicroscopes, GRIN assemblies for imaging, fiber optic modules, miniature high-NA objectives, laser line modules, and positioning/handling tools) and delivers customized OEM optical systems from prototype through small/medium series to series production. The company's proprietary non-toxic silver and lithium ion exchange process in glass yields ultra-miniaturized (0.2–2.0 mm diameter), biocompatible GRIN optics for neuroscience, medical imaging, semiconductor metrology, and industrial sensor applications.

Product overview

Grintech is a medium-sized high-tech company specializing in gradient index (GRIN) micro-optics manufactured through a non-toxic silver and lithium ion exchange process in glass. The product portfolio is organized as a unified platform of miniaturized optical components based on GRIN lens technology. Core products include: GRIN Rod Lenses (basic gradient index lenses with diameters 0.35-2.0 mm and NA 0.2/0.5); GRIN Assemblies for Imaging (endoscopic assemblies combining GRIN objectives with fiber bundles, prisms, and beam splitters); Fiber Optic Modules (precision modules for interferometry, OCT, confocal chromatic sensors, and spectroscopy); GRIN Needle Endomicroscopes (needle-based probes for cellular research with 0.5-1.0 mm diameters); Miniature High-NA Lenses (high-performance objectives with diameters 1.3-2.2 mm, NA>0.6, and sub-micron resolution); and Laser Line Modules (compact beam shaping modules for laser diodes). A complementary Positioning Unit and Handling Tools product supports assembly and positioning of GRIN microsystems. All products leverage the company's proprietary GRIN technology enabling flat-surface lenses with radially variable refractive index profiles, and share common advantages of miniaturization, biocompatibility (EN ISO 10993-1), and sustainability through non-toxic manufacturing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• GRIN Rod Lenses Gradient index rod lenses made of non-toxic, biocompatible glass (EN ISO 10993-1) with standard diameters of 0.35–2.0 mm, plane optical surfaces, and numerical apertures of 0.2 and 0.5. Used for fiber coupling, laser diode beam shaping, and endoscopic applications with viewing angles up to ±30 degrees.
• GRIN Assemblies for Imaging Endoscopic assemblies combining biocompatible GRIN objective lenses (0.25–2.0 mm diameter) with relay lenses, image-guiding fiber bundles, prisms, and beam splitters. Designed with plane optical end faces and viewing angles of ±30 degrees for endoscopic imaging.
• Fiber Optic Modules Precision fiber optic modules combining GRIN lenses with prisms, optical fibers, and beam splitters for optical non-contact sensor technology and biophotonics. Support measurement principles including white light interferometry, OCT, confocal chromatic concept, and spectroscopy methods.
• GRIN Needle Endomicroscopes Precision needle-based endomicroscopes for cellular tissue research with diameters of 0.5 mm and 1.0 mm. Available as GRIN singlets (NA=0.5, lengths 2.2–14 mm) and doublets (NA=0.5/0.2, lengths 4.0–20.5 mm). Side-viewing optics with 90° microprisms available customer-specifically. Used for neuroscience, cancer research, and rheumatism imaging.
• Miniature High-NA Lenses High-performance miniature objectives with diameters of 1.3–2.2 mm and numerical apertures greater than 0.6. Includes SpheroCor (2009, spherical aberration correction), FieldAchromatic (2016, chromatic correction across 488–900 nm, field-of-view up to 400 µm), and ReduCurv (2023, 70% field curvature reduction) series for in-vivo endomicroscopy and nonlinear optical imaging.
• Laser Line Modules Ultra-compact GRIN lens-based laser line modules (6.50 mm x 14.0 mm, 1.5 g) generating homogeneous laser lines from Gaussian beam single-mode laser diodes. Available in red, green, and blue wavelengths with homogeneity up to ±5%. Applications include 3D contour mapping, optical adjustment, machine vision, and biomedicine.
• Positioning Unit and Handling Tools 3-axis positioning unit for GRIN microsystems relative to microscope objectives, with bracket for 30 mm lens diameter, travel of 5 mm in xyz with 10 µm reading accuracy, and snap-on system for pick-up/placement of GRIN lenses. Magnetic holder and various prism groove sizes (0.5 / 0.7 / 1.0 / 1.2 / 1.4 mm) available.
• Custom OEM Optical Systems Customized OEM micro-optics and optical systems developed from initial concept through optical design, construction, assembly, qualification, and application testing. Delivered as prototypes through small and medium series to series production, tailored to individual customer requirements in medical imaging, sensor technology, semiconductor metrology, and research applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• GRINTECH's ReduCurv high-NA objectives reduce field curvature by 70% compared to previous generations, with focus shifts of only 6-7 μm from center to margin of the field of view.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• InscopixcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012GRINTECH began a collaboration with Inscopix in 2012. Inscopix is a leading developer of all-optical miniscope platforms for real-time imaging of freely behaving animals. GRINTECH is an exclusive partner for non-human neuroscience applications. The company supplies high-precision GRIN lenses integrated into Inscopix miniscopes, enabling researchers to visualize neurons in vivo and understand neural circuit communication at cellular resolution. Inscopix considers GRINTECH lens quality crucial for excellent imaging in neuroscience.
• Micro-EpsiloncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2007GRINTECH and Micro-Epsilon entered into a cooperation agreement in 2007 to advance sensor development based on confocal chromatic measurement principles. This longstanding and intense collaboration continues to this day. GRINTECH supplies optical components — including GRIN lenses for confocal chromatic sensors (IFS2402, IFS2403, IFS2404 series) and laser line modules for scanCONTROL profile scanners — used in industrial measurement and quality assurance applications. The partnership exemplifies GRINTECH's OEM collaboration model for joint product development.
• Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering (IOF) JenacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGRINTECH was founded in December 1999 as a spin-off from the Fraunhofer IOF Jena. All four founders — Dr. Torsten Poßner, Dr. Bernhard Messerschmidt, Anke Kräplin, and Ulf Poßner — had previously researched the manufacture of gradient microlenses at Fraunhofer IOF. The spin-off relationship established GRINTECH's foundational intellectual property and expertise in GRIN lens manufacturing.
• Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology (IPHT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGRINTECH collaborates with IPHT Jena on joint research projects for endomicroscopic imaging and real-time cancer diagnostics. The collaboration involves developing new endoscopic devices combining multimodal optical imaging with AI evaluation and femtosecond laser ablation for seek-and-treat surgical applications. Research outcomes have been published in Science Advances (December 2024) and covered by MDR media.
• Friedrich Schiller University JenacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGRINTECH participates in an interdisciplinary research collaboration with Friedrich Schiller University Jena as part of the team developing real-time tumor diagnostics using endomicroscopy and AI. The university contributes academic research expertise in optics, photonics, and biomedical engineering to the collaboration.
• Jena University Hospital (UKJ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGRINTECH collaborates with Jena University Hospital on research projects for real-time cancer diagnostics and intraoperative tumor detection. The hospital provides clinical research settings for evaluating GRINTECH-powered endomicroscopy systems in preclinical studies and patient examinations.
• PolytecminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGRINTECH manufactures fiber heads used in Polytec's Multipoint Vibrometer MPV-800, which records vibrations non-contact and synchronously in up to 48 channels. GRINTECH is a key supplier of fiber optic components for this product line.
• OptoNet e.V.minorOthersGRINTECH is an active member of OptoNet e.V., a network of optics and photonics companies and institutions in Thuringia. The company participates in working groups including International Sales, enabling exchange with other Thuringian optics companies on export challenges, market intelligence, and industry trends.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• NSG Group (SELFOC GRIN lenses): NSG Group's SELFOC is the historical commercial GRIN lens brand, traditionally produced via thallium ion exchange. Grintech is positioned as its direct non-toxic successor, competing head-to-head in GRIN rod lenses, fiber-coupling optics, and endoscopy-grade micro-optics for OEM and research customers worldwide.
• Thorlabs: Thorlabs manufactures and distributes a broad catalog of photonic, fiber-optic, and micro-optic components to OEM and research customers in the same photonics channel as Grintech. Overlapping form factors (lens assemblies, fiber modules, aspheric and micro-optics) and a similar OEM-to-researcher go-to-market make Thorlabs the closest US analog in product breadth and customer profile.

Broad incumbents

• Edmund Optics: Edmund Optics is a long-established optics manufacturer and distributor covering lenses, filters, assemblies, and imaging modules into industrial, life-science, and research markets. It competes with Grintech at the catalog/customer-overlap level (industrial metrology, biomedical imaging, photonics research) but at broader portfolio scale and without GRIN specialty.
• Schott AG: Jena-headquartered specialty glass manufacturer producing optical materials, glass wafers, and photonic components across semiconductor, medical, and industrial metrology markets. Comparable at the glass/optical-material and end-application level (semiconductor optics, life sciences) and a regional anchor in the Thuringian photonics cluster that Grintech also operates in.
• Olympus (Evident): Olympus is a leading medical endoscopy and microscopy systems provider whose endoscope platforms consume sub-millimeter objective optics. Grintech supplies GRIN optics into similar minimally invasive imaging and endomicroscopy use cases, making Olympus a comparable on the end-application and component-supply dimension though at much broader product scale.
• Carl Zeiss Meditec / ZEISS Industrial Quality & Research: ZEISS operates across microscopy, medical imaging, and industrial metrology, with comparable end-applications (endoscopy, optical metrology, semiconductor inspection). It represents a broader-incumbent optics competitor and customer-overlap peer for Grintech's life-science and industrial sensors segments.
• Leica Microsystems (Danaher): Leica produces microscopy, surgical imaging, and sample-preparation systems used across biomedical research and clinical pathology. Grintech's GRIN endomicroscope and high-NA objective lenses target overlapping use cases in cellular and in-vivo imaging, making Leica a comparable at the biomedical-imaging customer level.
• Hamamatsu Photonics: Hamamatsu manufactures photonic devices, detectors, and optical modules for medical, scientific, and industrial applications. Comparable to Grintech at the custom-photonics-module and biophotonics-illumination/collection level (laser modules, fiber optic assemblies, optical sensor components).

Emerging players

• LightPath Technologies: LightPath is a smaller specialty optics manufacturer focused on precision molded optics, lens assemblies, and custom micro-optics for industrial, defense, and medical markets. Comparable to Grintech as a small-cap custom micro-optics OEM serving industrial sensing and medical imaging customers.
• Optimax Systems: Optimax is a US-based custom precision optics manufacturer producing small-batch and prototype optics, lens assemblies, and coated optical components. Comparable to Grintech at the custom-OEM, low-to-medium-volume, photonics-adjacent micro-optics level for industrial and biomedical customers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/grintech-gmbh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

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 Grintech