MIEYRA is being developed to combine Raman with NIR or MIR within the same semiconductor-scale platform.
By combining complementary sensing signals, we aim to improve the detection and monitoring of biomarkers, hazardous materials and environments across fitness, wearables, defence and security applications.
Raman excels at molecular fingerprinting and chemical identification, while NIR and MIR provide access to absorption signatures that may be weak or inaccessible through Raman alone.
Many biomarkers can be measured in the laboratory using combinations of skin, sweat and optical techniques. PhovIR is exploring how non-invasive Raman and NIR sensing could bring more of this capability into wearable devices, with our development programme evaluating whether the combined modalities can improve measurement confidence across hydration, lipids, metabolic indicators and exercise-related biochemical changes.
We believe the greatest value will not come from any single sensor, but from combining multiple sensing methods with chemometrics and AI/ML data analysis.
The same multimodal architecture being explored for biomarker monitoring may also support future defence and security applications, where confidence, sensitivity, and rapid identification are critical.
We work with organisations exploring the next generation of intelligent products, wearable technologies, defence systems and sensing platforms.
John represents SCVC (Science Creates Venture Capital) on the PhovIR board. A serial entrepreneur and investor, John is best known as the founder of Kudan, one of the early pioneers in Physical AI and machine perception. Having built and scaled a publicly listed deep-tech company, he brings valuable expertise in venture growth, capital formation, commercialisation, and international expansion.
Khadija Ashfaq is an Investment Director at Northern Gritstone, a leading investor in university spinouts and deep-tech businesses across the North of England. Representing Northern Gritstone on the PhovIR board, she brings extensive experience in evaluating and scaling science-led companies across semiconductors, AI, quantum technologies, and advanced engineering, providing strategic guidance on growth, investment, and commercialisation.
Tim is Founder and CTO of PhovIR Technologies and inventor of the company’s proprietary MIEYRA sensing platform. Combining over 20 years of experience in photonics, semiconductor technologies, MEMS, and advanced materials, Tim brings a rare blend of deep scientific expertise and commercial technology development experience. His career includes roles at Bosch and IMEC, alongside internationally recognised research leadership, providing the foundation for PhovIR’s next generation of optical sensing technologies.
Tim holds a PhD in Engineering from the University of Cambridge and a degree in Electrical Engineering from RWTH Aachen University.
Ben is Chief Executive Officer of PhovIR Technologies and a deep-tech executive with more than 20 years of experience scaling businesses in photonics, advanced materials, and semiconductor technologies.
Prior to PhovIR, Ben led multiple deep-tech companies, including 2D Photonics, where he was responsible for founding, strategy, fundraising, and commercialisation. Across his career, he has helped secure over €250 million in venture investment and government funding.
Ben founded Surrey NanoSystems and led the invention and commercialisation of the globally recognised Vantablack® technology platform. He has built international manufacturing and supply chains across China, Vietnam, and Mexico for automotive applications, alongside technology programmes supporting space and defence markets in Europe and the United States.
An inventor or co-inventor on 28 patents, Ben leads PhovIR’s corporate strategy, investment activities, partnerships, and product commercialisation as the company develops the next generation of optical sensing technologies.