Optics11 B.V. is a fast-growing high-tech company that makes measurement systems based on optical fiber technology, measuring nanoscale effects in difficult environments. Originating from the VU University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands, prof. Davide Iannuzzi founded the company in 2011 together with Hans Brouwer. Building on so-called fiber-top technology, they laid the foundation for a range of measurement solutions,
The unique fiber sensing systems, as developed by Optics11, are a combination of two nanotechnologies: fiber-top technology and fiber interferometry. Using micro-manufacturing technology, Optics11 can fabricate Micro-ElectroMechanical Systems on the end face of an optical fiber. Combined with unique fiber-interferometric read-out technology, very precise measurements can be performed in the harshest environments, in the smallest spaces. Nanoscale measurements of vibrations, acoustics or forces are now made easy and accessible.
In addition to supplying capital, Value Creation Capital (through TechNano Fund) will assume a role in the Advisory Board to actively support Optics11 in its growth ambitions.
Amsterdam Scientific Instruments B.V. (ASI) supplies high-end camera systems based on Medipix technology developed by a collaboration of leading physics research institutes under the coordination of CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research. The cameras are deployed in experimental physics labs around the globe, including CERN and Nikhef. ASI’s products are increasingly used in the next generation of electron microscopes, x-ray imaging systems and mass spectrometers.
Confocal.nl B.V. is a spin-off company from the University of Amsterdam, where the Rescan Confocal Microscope was developed by the team of Erik Manders. The RCM is a laser scanning confocal system with a modular design, making confocal technology affordable by using simple components and allowing upgrade of existing wide-field microscopes. The RCM module can be coupled to any type of inverted microscope via C-mount, and uses a C-mount coupled camera as a detector. By using camera-based detection, the RCM has an improved sensitivity, with a signal-to-noise ratio that is up to 3x better than a standard PMT-based confocal system. The rescan principle offers a lateral resolution improvement of 1.4x, up to 170nm, without any post-processing being required. In combination with a limited number of user-settings, this makes the RCM a very user-friendly system, accessible to anyone without extensive microscopy experience.
InProcess-LSP is an entrepreneurial company providing Process Analytical Technology (PAT) solutions and expertise to support companies in various industries including pharma, food and chemistry in developing and controlling their products and manufacturing processes. PAT is essential for the production of high-quality products and well-controlled manufacturing processes.
In March 2019, InProcess-LSP has introduced the NanoFlowSizer, the first ever instrument providing the size of nanoparticles by measuring directly in a manufacturing process without the need for laborious and costly product sampling and laboratory testing. The NanoFlowSizer, provides direct feedback on the quality of the process and the nanoproduct being processed allowing process control, thereby reducing the risk of rejection of expensive (pharma) products and de-stressing the supply chain.
In R&D, the NanoFlowSizer contributes to the development of well-understood and robust processes for nanoparticle-based products. In industries such as pharma, companies demand complete control over production processes, as they provide high-quality products that need to comply with stringent regulations. It starts with R&D.
SenseGlove provides the most natural interaction in virtual and augmented reality. The company, a spin-off from Delft University of Technology, was founded in 2015 and started with developing physical therapy devices for rehabilitation. When the market of VR started to accelerate in 2017, the company changed its scope to the XR business markets. The company’s believe is to provide interactions with objects and persons equal to those in the real world is the only way to fully utilise the potential of VR and AR. SenseGlove is the frontrunner and to be used as a fully physics-based controller for VR and AR. The unique force feedback system enables the user to feel the density and shape of virtual objects.
Fizyr is a spin-off of the Delft University (TUD) and was founded in 2014. The AI company is globally top ranked in deep learning for robotics and automated picking. It enables the automating of human tasks in logistics using AI. Fizyr develops, maintains and supports software for global leading logistic integrators enabling them to apply autonomous robotics for picking unknown items, groceries and parcels. The Fizyr deep learning algorithms adds a layer of understanding, bringing autonomous decision making to processes that involve classifying, quality control, counting, picking and manipulating.
The Fizyr team won the prestigious Amazon Picking Challenge in 2016. From 2017, Fizyr focussed the business (from robotics) to AI software for machine and computer vision.