Perceptra secures €1.2m funding from PhotonDelta
Perceptra, the MIT spin-off pioneering photonic chip-based AI-enabled Raman sensors for chemical monitoring, has secured a €1.2m investment from PhotonDelta, the Dutch photonic chip industry accelerator.
The funding will accelerate the development and commercialisation of the company's next-generation photonic chip-based Raman sensors, based on a hybrid Silicon Nitride (SiN) and GaAs PIC platform.
Rather than relying on traditional dispersive spectrometers, the company deploys on-chip tuneable lasers to perform swept-source Raman spectroscopy. This architecture allows them to eliminate bulky dispersive spectrometers, drastically reduce system size, and enable high-sensitivity molecular analysis directly on the chip.
The ultra-compact design reduces system size 1,000× compared to traditional systems, and the low-cost architecture is claimed to be 100× cheaper to produce and deploy.
The €1.2m funding with a loan marks the next stage in the collaboration between Perceptra and PhotonDelta, following the startup’s victory in the 2025 Global Photonics Engineering Contest for Raman sensor for real-time molecular monitoring in biomanufacturing.
Perceptra is focused on developing its Raman sensor for real-time molecular monitoring. Having demonstrated proof-of-concept, Perceptra will use the funding to develop a first PIC-based version of the system.
Launching its innovative solution at the PIC Summit Europe 2025 in October, Perceptra took to the stage to share its journey from early-stage concept to ecosystem-backed venture, and outline the next stage of its technology roadmap. They also demonstrated a working prototype on the show floor developed in collaboration with PhiX Photonics Assembly and LioniX International.
The startup is relocating its integrated photonic R&D to the Netherlands to join the vibrant PhotonDelta ecosystem. This will facilitate access to a world-leading infrastructure, research networks, and a large engineering talent pool, enabling Perceptra to advance its technology and scale its business in Europe.
Amir Atabaki, CEO and co-founder of Perceptra, said: “PhotonDelta’s funding marks a milestone moment in turning our research into a scalable venture. Integrated photonics is redefining what’s possible in molecular sensing, and by joining the PhotonDelta ecosystem in the Netherlands, we will be able to accelerate development, access world-class fabrication, and bring our first photonic sensing products to market.”
Laurens Weers, executive director and CFO at PhotonDelta, said: “Perceptra’s announcement at PIC Summit Europe showcases the major strides the integrated photonics space is taking. It represents the kind of breakthrough thinking that integrated photonics enables. Their work at the intersection of photonic chip technology and AI is an example of how this technology can transform entire industries. We are excited to support Perceptra as they expand to the Netherlands and bring their vision to market.”
