What Centre for Advanced Photonics & Process Analysis does

CAPPA is a university research centre operating within Munster Technological University (MTU) in Cork, Ireland, conducting both fundamental and applied research on photonics, optics, and the interaction of light with matter. The centre runs two activity strands: an "Innovation for Industry" programme that delivers photonics solutions to companies ranging from startups to multinational corporations, and an "Advanced Research" arm focused on internationally recognised academic work in areas such as non-linear laser dynamics, ultrafast laser physics, semiconductor materials, and nanophotonics.

The centre's core technical capabilities rest on a specialised instrument portfolio, including a HySpex SWIR-384 hyperspectral imaging system (MCT sensor cooled to 150K, ~50 micron spatial resolution over ~30 cm fields), Raman confocal imaging spectrometers with 532/633/785/830 nm laser lines, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy across UV–vis–NIR–mid-IR and terahertz ranges, a Quantum Cascade Laser, and femtosecond/photoluminescence/SEM laboratories. These capabilities support services in spectroscopy, hyperspectral imaging, process monitoring, optical design, machine-vision sensing, and data analytics — primarily applied to pharmaceutical analysis (drug identification, blend uniformity, cleaning verification), medical device optical design, food authentication, and environmental/water monitoring.

Revenue is generated through a hybrid model combining publicly funded research grants (Science Foundation Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, EU Horizon 2020, Irish Research Council, European Research Council, Department of Agriculture Food & the Marine, EPA) with industry-paid consultancy and multi-year collaborative R&D projects. The centre operates through the Enterprise Ireland Technology Gateway network, and has secured €16 million in cumulative funding over the last five years alongside engagements with 50+ companies and active projects exceeding €100k each.

Name

Centre for Advanced Photonics & Process Analysis

Legal name

Centre for Advanced Photonics & Process Analysis

Website

https://cappa.ie

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CAPPA is a university research centre within Munster Technological University in Cork, Ireland, providing applied photonics R&D, spectroscopy, hyperspectral imaging and optical sensing services to pharmaceutical, medical device, food and industrial clients across Europe.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Photonics Research and Analytical Services

SIC

Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Machine Vision & Optical Sensing (Cameras, 3D vision, LiDAR, illumination) (IMAGAFAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

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

Keywords

• Photonics research services
• Hyperspectral imaging systems
• Raman spectroscopy analysis
• Pharmaceutical process monitoring
• Optical sensor development

Headquarters

HQ city

Cork

HQ country

Ireland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Research Funding: Funded through government sources including Science Foundation Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, European Union Horizon 2020, Irish Research Council, European Research Council, and Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine. Has received €16 million in funding in the last 5 years.
2. Industry Consulting Services: Short-term consultancy and applied research services to companies ranging from startups to multinational corporations in pharmaceutical, medical device, food, and photonics sectors.
3. Collaborative Research Projects: Multi-year collaborative R&D projects with industry partners, co-funded through various national and EU funding mechanisms.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

CAPPA delivers photonics-based applied research and industry solutions, including hyperspectral imaging, Raman and FTIR spectroscopy, optical sensing, and process monitoring, delivered through the Enterprise Ireland Technology Gateway on scales ranging from short-term consultancy to multi-year collaborative projects for pharmaceutical, medical device, food, and photonics companies.

Product overview

CAPPA is a research centre at Munster Technological University conducting both applied and fundamental research on photonics, optics, and the interaction of light with matter. The centre operates two main activity strands: Innovation for Industry (providing photonics solutions to companies in sectors including photonics, medical devices, food and pharma, from short-term consultancy to multi-year collaborative projects) and Advanced Research (conducting internationally recognised academic research). Key offerings include the HySpex SWIR-384 hyperspectral imaging system, Raman and FTIR spectroscopy services, and access to specialised research laboratories including femtosecond physics, laser dynamics, photoluminescence spectroscopy, nanophotonics, and scanning electron microscopy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• HySpex SWIR-384 Hyperspectral Imaging System Near-infrared hyperspectral imaging instrument available to industry and academic clients for detailed chemical and spatial analysis of pharmaceutical, medical device, photonics, and food and beverage samples. The system is offered as a service through the Technology Gateway.
• Raman Spectroscopy Services Analytical service offering Raman spectroscopy using two Confocal Imaging Spectrometers with 532 nm, 633 nm, 785 nm and 830 nm laser lines, used for pharmaceutical analysis, material identification, contaminant detection, and quality control applications across industry clients.
• Technology Gateway Industry Services Structured industry-engagement programme delivered through the Enterprise Ireland Technology Gateway network, providing photonics solutions to companies in sectors including photonics, medical devices, food, and pharma, on scales ranging from short-term consultancy to multi-year collaborative projects.
• Advanced Research Services Internationally recognised academic research on photonics topics including non-linear dynamics of lasers, ultrafast laser physics, novel semiconductor materials and devices, femtosecond physics, laser dynamics, photoluminescence spectroscopy, nanophotonics, and high-power laser systems, with results published in peer-reviewed journals.
• Spectroscopic Analysis Services (FTIR and Raman) Analytical service capabilities using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy techniques covering the electromagnetic spectrum from ultraviolet through visible, near IR, mid IR, and Terahertz regions, available to industry clients for material characterisation and chemical identification.

Quantifiable outcome

• €16 million funding awarded in last 5 years
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• LabskincoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Collaboration on RAW (Remote Automated Water) test project for detecting pathogens in wastewater, adapted to focus on COVID-19 detection. Combines microfluidics, photonics and AI for real-time pathogen identification in fluids.
• SSPC (Synthesis and Solid State Pharmaceutical Cluster)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2019CAPPA is an official SSPC collaborator. SSPC is an SFI research cluster and internationally recognized hub of process innovation for the pharmaceutical sector. CAPPA focuses research under the 'medicine' theme, optimizing development, production and use of safe and effective medicines.
• Tyndall National InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAPPA has labs at Tyndall National Institute, University College Cork, enabling collaborative research and access to additional facilities and expertise in photonics and nanotechnology.
• Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Technology Centre (PMTC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAPPA is an Academic Partner of PMTC, an industry-led centre for pharmaceutical manufacturing technology.
• University of CambridgemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in RAW test project, providing engineering expertise for the automated water testing platform.
• RinocloudmajorTechnology or IntegrationAI technology partner for RAW test project, providing artificial intelligence capabilities for data analysis and pathogen detection.
• REDFINCH ConsortiummajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU H2020 project (€4 million) developing next generation miniaturized, portable optical sensors for chemical detection in gases and liquids. Target applications in petrochemical and dairy industries. Consortium of 8 European research institutes.
• Munster Technological University (MTU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAPPA is a research centre of MTU (formerly Cork Institute of Technology), providing institutional support, facilities and academic programmes.
• TeagascmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint project partner for Walsh Fellowship PhD position on soil analysis using optical sensors for optimized soil nutrient management, part of ICT-AGRI-Food ERA-Net project APP4FARM.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Tyndall National Institute: Ireland's largest ICT research centre, also based in Cork with overlapping photonics and semiconductor research. CAPPA operates labs at Tyndall and the two institutions collaborate directly, making Tyndall the closest functional peer in scale, geography, and capability.
• Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering (IOF): Germany's leading applied photonics research institute, part of the Fraunhofer Society. Operates a similar model of combining fundamental optics research with industry contract work across spectroscopy, laser systems, and optical sensing — directly comparable to CAPPA's two-track approach.

Peers

• CSEM (Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique):

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks3 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCdtOSceUmK5rWddrnMj2HUw
• Xx.com/cappa_ie

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Centre for Advanced Photonics & Process Analysis