Clair Scientific has developed a completely new type of microscope based on a novel imaging technology and cloud computing. The Danish startup now raises 12 million kroner from EIFO and Finnish investor Innovestor.
The two founders, Hugh Simons and Anders Clemen Jakobsen, have been working on a microscope based on new imaging technology and cloud computing since 2009. In 2022, they founded Clair Scientific as a spinout from DTU.
The Danish startup has developed a product with patented technology that combines hardware, software, and new technology. The microscope, named ‘Z1’, is half the size of regular microscopes and significantly more affordable.
The investment, totalling 12 million kroner, is made by EIFO in collaboration with Finnish investor Innovestor. At EIFO, they see great potential in the Danish life science startup:
We invest strategically to support the commercialization of research and in companies that increase access to data in the life science sector.
“We see a great potential in Clair Scientific’s innovative product and strong business model, which is based on advanced software that can digitize data through a new microscope design where software and hardware merge. With the investment, the company can now accelerate commercialization, and we look forward to following their growth journey,” says Christian Anker Ladefoged, Senior Investment Associate, EIFO.
Revolutionary microscope with great business potential
Clair Scientific’s product is much more affordable and more manageable than other microscopes on the market, providing significant business potential. The company is initially focusing on Denmark and the Øresund region but will soon be expanding to the rest of Europe and the USA.
“For us, this investment means we can set ourselves up with a unique position in the market; to significantly expand our technical and commercial teams, to make our product even better for life science research and, of course, to continue innovating new technologies and products that can be as accessible as possible,” says Hugh.
Photo: Clair Scientific's microscope, Z1
High costs for advanced laboratory equipment are an innovation-limiting barrier for researchers within numerous biotech and pharmaceutical companies, as well as many other life science startups. Clair Scientific addresses this with their innovative technology, which can be acquired at a significantly lower price than other advanced microscopes on the market today.
Earlier this year, the company won Danish Industry Foundation Entrepreneur Award ‘Danish Tech Challenge’, which since 2014 has helped technology-intensive hardware entrepreneurs further develop and grow.
Initially, the target group is research groups and smaller life science companies that stand to benefit the most from access to automation and new technology.
