PhovIR’s MIEYRA Raman platform is being developed to identify materials, chemicals and biologically relevant molecules from their Raman signatures. Built around proprietary MEMS technology, the platform is designed to bring Raman sensing into compact embedded systems where conventional laboratory and field instruments cannot operate.
The current MIEYRA Raman development platform combines a proprietary MEMS sensing core, 785 nm excitation, discrete electronics and software in a compact development system. It provides a practical platform for spectroscopy development, application testing and partner evaluation while the technology progresses towards semiconductor-scale integration.
Current development work is evaluating Raman signatures from biologically relevant molecules, including ketones, lactate and lipid-related compounds, supporting ongoing evaluation of the platform for future non-invasive biomarker sensing.
NIR and Raman provide complementary information about molecular composition. NIR is particularly sensitive to overtone and combination bands associated with bonds such as O-H, C-H and N-H, while Raman provides information from molecular vibrations that may be weak or difficult to resolve using infrared techniques alone.
PhovIR is evaluating how combining Raman and NIR can improve measurement confidence across materials and future biomarker applications, creating a pathway towards multimodal molecular sensing in a single embedded platform.
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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.