CONNECTOMX LTD
ConnectomX Ltd is an Oxford-based scientific instrumentation company that designs the Katana universal in-situ ultramicrotome and complementary hardware and software enabling serial block-face volume electron microscopy (SBF-SEM) on existing SEM systems, serving academic, government, and industrial research institutions globally through direct sales and a seven-country distributor network.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersOxford, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What CONNECTOMX LTD does
ConnectomX Ltd is a privately-held scientific instrumentation company headquartered in Oxford, United Kingdom, founded in 2018 by two scientist friends. The company designs, manufactures, and supports hardware and software for serial block-face scanning electron microscopy (SBF-SEM), a 3D volume imaging technique used to generate nanometre-resolution reconstructions of biological tissues and material microstructures. Its flagship product, the Katana microtome, is positioned as the world's first universal in-situ ultramicrotome—a 56 mm-tall, 1.8 kg attachment that converts any field-emission SEM with adequate pole-piece clearance (claimed compatibility with ~99% of contemporary FEG SEMs) into a volume imaging system, eliminating the requirement for a dedicated SBF-SEM instrument.
The product ecosystem comprises the Katana microtome as the central platform, paired with the Kensho backscattered electron detector and Precision Charge Neutralisation module as add-ons, and the Samurai 3 acquisition software with its Studio module for volume registration, alignment, visualisation, and trainable AI segmentation. Technical differentiators include 1 nm closed-loop Z-stage resolution, ultrasonic piezoelectric knife oscillation, automated cutting diagnostics, and API-level integration with six SEM OEMs (Zeiss, Thermo Fisher, TESCAN, Hitachi, JEOL, and CIQTEK). ConnectomX generates revenue primarily through capital hardware sales of the Katana, Kensho, and PCN units, supplemented by Samurai 3 software licensing, consumables (diamond blades, knife holders), and extended warranties. Distribution combines direct enterprise sales from Oxford with a network of distributors in seven geographies spanning the US, EU, Nordics, Israel, Australia/New Zealand, Japan, and China.
The customer base is concentrated in academic and government research institutions, with 15+ named sites including the University of Cambridge, University of Lausanne, Washington University in St. Louis, National University of Singapore, University of Sydney, King's College London, and CNPEM (Brazil), alongside emerging materials-science applications in battery cathode and alloy characterisation. Go-to-market blends enterprise field sales, content-driven education (an extensive SBF-SEM reference website, blog, and technical blog series), conference presence at Microscopy & Microanalysis and the vEM Technology Forum, and formal OEM technology partnerships with TESCAN, JEOL UK, Oxford Instruments, and AI partner SenseAI.
CONNECTOMX LTD firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CONNECTOMX LTD
- Legal name
- ConnectomX
- Website
- https://connectomx.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- ConnectomX Ltd is an Oxford-based scientific instrumentation company that designs the Katana universal in-situ ultramicrotome and complementary hardware and software enabling serial block-face volume electron microscopy (SBF-SEM) on existing SEM systems, serving academic, government, and industrial research institutions globally through direct sales and a seven-country distributor network.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CONNECTOMX LTD industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Electron Microscopy Instrumentation
- NAICS
- Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516)
- SIC
- Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Embedded & Compute Modules (SoMs, COM Express/SMARC, industrial SBC modules) (IMAGAJAK)
Keywords
Where CONNECTOMX LTD is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Oxford
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
CONNECTOMX LTD business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Katana Microtome (Hardware): Sale of the Katana in-situ ultramicrotome hardware, the company's primary product. Engineered as a universal attachment for SEMs. Sold with accessories including SEM flange/stage adapter, 50× aluminium sample pins, and cabin-size travel suitcase.
- Kensho BSED (Hardware): Sale of the Kensho backscattered electron detector, an add-on product for SBF-SEM imaging. Technical specifications include 56:1 SNR, 2.5 MHz speed, motorised insertion/retraction.
- Precision Charge Neutralisation System (Hardware): Sale of the precision charge neutralisation system, a dedicated katana microtome attachment for eliminating charging artifacts in SEM imaging.
- Samurai 3 Software (Acquisition and Processing): Samurai 3 acquisition software for automated SBF-SEM image-cut-image cycles. Samurai 3 Studio for volume data processing including registration, alignment, volumetric visualisation, and AI segmentation. Optional accessories include spare diamond knife holders, touchscreen laptop, sample height measurement tool, and extended warranty.
- Optional Accessories and Consumables: Spare diamond knife holders, touchscreen laptop, sample height measurement tool, extended warranty packages. Consumables include diamond blades and replacement parts.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
CONNECTOMX LTD product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ConnectomX designs, develops, and manufactures the Katana Microtome, a universal in-situ ultramicrotome that transforms any SEM with a stage-to-pole-piece distance greater than 56 mm into a serial block-face volume electron microscopy (SBF-SEM) system. The offering is a complete SBF-SEM product ecosystem comprising the Katana Microtome, the Kensho backscattered electron detector, the Precision Charge Neutralisation gas-injection module, and the Samurai 3 acquisition and volume data processing software, sold together as a plug-and-play volume EM package to research institutions.
Product overview
ConnectomX designs, develops, and manufactures the Katana microtome — the world's first universal in-situ ultramicrotome — which transforms any SEM into a volume SEM. The product ecosystem comprises the Katana Microtome (core hardware platform), paired with complementary modules including the Kensho BSED (backscattered electron detector) and Precision Charge Neutralisation system. Samurai 3 acquisition software provides automated control while Samurai 3 Studio handles volume data processing. Founded in 2018 in Oxford, the company serves research institutions globally through direct sales and distribution partners.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Katana Microtome Universal serial block-face ultramicrotome that attaches to any SEM with a stage-to-pole-piece distance greater than 56 mm, achieving 1 nm Z-stage resolution, section thickness down to 25 nm, and sample volumes up to 1 mm³ via piezoelectric ultrasonic diamond knife oscillation. Sold to research institutions performing volume electron microscopy.
- Kensho Backscattered Electron Detector (BSED)
Quantifiable outcome
- Structural cutting variation below 3% at z-steps from 8 to 25 nm, below 0.5% at optimal settings
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use CONNECTOMX LTD
Customer profileNamed customers15 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
CONNECTOMX LTD technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration10 records
AI capability5 records
Feature9 records
CONNECTOMX LTD partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)minorCollaborative project funded by BBSRC Facility Access Funding for Bioscience Partnerships. UKHSA, Central Laser Facility (CLF), and ConnectomX developed a correlative light, SBF-SEM, and FIB-SEM workflow to study impact of inhaled particles on the blood-brain barrier for dementia-related brain health research.
- Central Laser Facility (CLF, UK)minorCollaborative partner with UKHSA and ConnectomX in BBSRC-funded correlative microscopy project. CLF contributes two-photon microscopy and fiducial marking capabilities for targeting regions of interest in brain tissue for SBF-SEM and FIB-SEM imaging.
- SenseAIcorePartnership with SenseAI, a University of Liverpool spinout developing AI-powered electron microscopy subsampling and inpainting software. SenseAI software processes ConnectomX katana microtome volumes up to 100x faster with significantly reduced beam damage (up to 100x less data) without compromising image integrity. Combined technologies provide world-leading SBF-SEM capability. Quote from co-founder Cheng Cheng: 'Customers are looking for increased performance from serial block-face solutions, in terms of increased speed, thinner slices, and better imaging quality. Our combined technologies provide a world-leading capability.'
- TESCANcoreIntegration of ConnectomX Katana microtome with TESCAN SEMs as part of TESCAN's dedicated SBF-SEM solution. TESCAN developed a customised adapter ensuring mechanical and electrical stability, and a specialized low-energy BSE detector with modified geometry for low-voltage SBF-SEM. TESCAN 3D Analysis Suite provides volume EM data processing software. Joint publication in Microscopy and Microanalysis 2023. The integration enables quick (< minutes) installation/removal of katana on TESCAN SEM stages.
- Eden Instruments SASminorAuthorised distributor for ConnectomX products in France. Contact: [email protected], +33 4 81 16 05 10.
- Angstrom Scientific, Inc.minorAuthorised distributor for ConnectomX products in the United States. Contact: [email protected], +1 201-962-7222.
- Spectral ABminorAuthorised distributor for ConnectomX products in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland & Iceland. Contact: [email protected], +46 8 410 70 440.
- Bargal Analytical InstrumentsminorAuthorised distributor for ConnectomX products in Israel. Contact: [email protected], +972-3-9796533.
- Microscopy SolutionsminorAuthorised distributor for ConnectomX products in Australia & New Zealand. Contact: [email protected], +61 412 476 885.
- Meiwafosis Co., Ltd. (株式会社メイワフォーシス)minorAuthorised distributor for ConnectomX products in Japan. Contact: [email protected], +81-3-5379-0051.
- Connectyuan Co. Ltd. (康萘元上海科技有限公司)minorAuthorised distributor for ConnectomX products in China. Contact: [email protected], +86 18221361802.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
CONNECTOMX LTD competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- TESCAN: SEM manufacturer with which ConnectomX has a deep OEM integration partnership (custom adapter, joint SBF-SEM solution, co-published validation). TESCAN 3D Analysis Suite also competes with Samurai 3 Studio in volume-EM processing.
- JEOL: SEM manufacturer (JSM-IT700HR etc.) with which ConnectomX has a software integration partnership for SBF-SEM and array tomography. JEOL also offers array tomography workflows that partially overlap with SBF-SEM use cases.
- Leica Microsystems (Danaher): Provider of light and electron microscopy sample-preparation and imaging instruments. Competes adjacently through cryo-ultramicrotomy (Leica EM UC7 / FC7) and broader histology workflows used in volume EM pipelines.
- Hitachi High-Tech: SEM manufacturer whose SU7000 and other FE-SEM models are validated platforms for the Katana microtome. Provides competitive broader EM solutions and is a key installed-base target for ConnectomX upgrades.
- Thermo Fisher Scientific: Major SEM manufacturer (FEI/Apreo/Helios lines) with broader electron microscopy portfolio. ConnectomX integrates with Thermo Fisher SEMs via API, and Thermo Fisher competes as an end-to-end volume-EM solution provider.
- Carl Zeiss Microscopy: SEM manufacturer (Sigma, Crossbeam, Gemini lines) and long-standing partner of Gatan for bundled SBF-SEM offerings. Competes broadly in volume EM and bundles its own detectors and software stacks.
- Bruker Nano Surfaces: Microanalysis and nano-indentation instrumentation provider with adjacent offerings in atomic force microscopy and EDS detectors. Relevant peer through overlapping materials-science research customers and complementary microanalysis tools.
Direct peers
- Gatan (AMETEK): Established provider of the 3View serial block-face SEM system, the incumbent SBF-SEM solution bundled with major SEM OEMs. Directly competes with ConnectomX's Katana in the same product category and customer base.
Emerging players
- RMC Boeckeler: Manufacturer of ultramicrotome and histology instruments historically serving EM sample preparation. Overlaps with ConnectomX in the microtomy workflow but focuses on room-temperature TEM sample prep rather than in-situ SEM volume imaging.
Others
- Diatome (Ted Pella): Supplier of the diamond blades (1.5 mm / 2.5 mm, 45°) used in ConnectomX's Katana microtome. An ecosystem enabler and consumables supplier rather than a direct competitor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
CONNECTOMX LTD social profiles
Digital presenceCONNECTOMX LTD financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CONNECTOMX LTD leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
CONNECTOMX LTD funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CONNECTOMX LTD M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about CONNECTOMX LTD
What does CONNECTOMX LTD do?
ConnectomX designs, develops, and manufactures the Katana Microtome, a universal in-situ ultramicrotome that transforms any SEM with a stage-to-pole-piece distance greater than 56 mm into a serial block-face volume electron microscopy (SBF-SEM) system. The offering is a complete SBF-SEM product ecosystem comprising the Katana Microtome, the Kensho backscattered electron detector, the Precision Charge Neutralisation gas-injection module, and the Samurai 3 acquisition and volume data processing software, sold together as a plug-and-play volume EM package to research institutions.
Is CONNECTOMX LTD a public or private company?
CONNECTOMX LTD is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was CONNECTOMX LTD founded?
CONNECTOMX LTD was founded in 2018. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is CONNECTOMX LTD based?
CONNECTOMX LTD is headquartered in Oxford, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does CONNECTOMX LTD make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Katana Microtome (Hardware) is the primary driver. The others are kensho BSED (Hardware), precision Charge Neutralisation System (Hardware), samurai 3 Software (Acquisition and Processing) and optional Accessories and Consumables.
Who are CONNECTOMX LTD's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are TESCAN, JEOL, Leica Microsystems (Danaher), Hitachi High-Tech, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Carl Zeiss Microscopy and Bruker Nano Surfaces. Gatan (AMETEK) is listed as a direct peer. RMC Boeckeler is listed as an emerging player. Diatome (Ted Pella) is listed as an others.
Does CONNECTOMX LTD have an API?
Yes. ConnectomX provides API integration for controlling SEMs from Zeiss, Thermo Fisher, Tescan, Hitachi, JEOL, and CIQTEK. The API enables full control and integration with these SEM platforms. Additional open-source software includes SBEMimage, a Python-based acquisition control software that communicates directly with SEM APIs and coordinates microtome cutting and imaging cycles.
What industry is CONNECTOMX LTD in?
CONNECTOMX LTD's product category is Electron Microscopy Instrumentation. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAGAJAK, Embedded & Compute Modules (SoMs, COM Express/SMARC, industrial SBC modules). Its NAICS code is 334511 and its SIC code is 3823.