Clair Scientific, a spinout from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), has raised € 1.6 million (DKK 12 million) in funding from Denmark’s Export and Investment Fund (EIFO) and Finnish investment company Innovestor. The funding is set to accelerate the commercial rollout and expansion of Clair Scientific’s pioneering microscopy technology, designed to transform imaging in the life sciences sector by providing researchers with richer, more detailed data than ever before.
Founded by researchers Hugh Simons and Anders Clemen Jakobsen, Clair Scientific offers a new generation of imaging through its patented Wavefront Angle Retrieval Processing (WARP) technology. This cutting-edge optical innovation enables researchers to capture not only the intensity of light scattered or absorbed by samples but also the way light bends as it passes through, mapping each sample’s refraction in full color. This approach enhances the microscope’s ability to visualize subtle features, distinguish areas based on composition and density, and even create 3D maps of thickness and height.
The WARP technology brings unique advantages to life science research, as it includes built-in options for multiple imaging modes in a single device. These options include bright-field color for larger features, phase contrast for delicate structures like mammalian cells, and differential interference contrast (DIC) for intricate structures, such as those within zebrafish embryos. According to Clair Scientific, every contrast mode is accessible within each WARP measurement, allowing researchers to revisit and adjust data flexibly after an initial scan.
“For us, this investment means we can secure a unique position in the market. We can significantly expand our technical and commercial teams, making our product even more relevant for life science research. It also allows us to continue developing new, innovative technologies and products that are as accessible as possible,”
says CEO Hugh Simons.
Clair Scientific’s Z1 microscope, powered by WARP, is aimed at providing an accessible, high-quality solution for labs in the Øresund region initially, with plans to expand throughout Europe and the U.S.
EIFO and Innovestor’s strategic investment underscores a growing demand for innovative tools that support data-driven research in life sciences.
“With this investment, Clair Scientific is positioned to fast-track commercialization and expand globally, further advancing data access in life sciences,”
noted Christian Anker Ladefoged, Senior Investment Associate at EIFO.
