Microelectronics UK 2026 Startup Spotlight: SPIO Systems

Microelectronics UK speaks to SPIO Systems, a leading OEM supplier of compact, robust, mass-producible optical modules and chips as alternatives to traditional frame-based instruments. Many thanks to Henrik Madsen for supplying these answers.

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In one sentence, what does your company do?

SPIO Systems is an OEM supplier of miniaturised optical chips and modules on a scalable, cost-effective, wafer-based production platform, enabling high-volume mobile and handheld sensing products for customers.

How did the business come about?

SPIO (stacked planar integrated optics) technology is an old idea that required the right equipment, materials, and processes to mature to a quality level capable of producing masters and wafers. About six years ago, we launched SPIO Systems as wafer imprinting and mastering technology reached the necessary maturity to serve as the core foundation for SPIO technology.

What industry problem are you solving?

Scaling bulk optics-based instruments is labour-intensive. SPIO technology overcomes this bottleneck by transitioning to a low-labour, wafer-based platform with inherent scalability. It also enables seamless integration with other wafer-based platforms and is highly cost-efficient, a key factor for high-volume production.

Why is this problem becoming more important right now?

To enable point-of-care and point-of-sense applications, demand is growing for small, low-power, robust optical modules. These modules also support sustainability by using fewer materials and consuming less power during operation.

What makes your approach different from existing solutions?

SPIO optical modules leverage true 3D optical signal processing, enabling them to use less space—and thus cost less—than waveguide-based chip platforms limited to 2D architectures. Furthermore, SPIO’s free-space micro-optical solution is a proven and reliable technology with decades of validation.

What has been the biggest challenge in scaling the business so far?

A growing ecosystem of suppliers in the free-space micro-optical chip industry benefits both providers and customers. While the chipification of optical setups is still an emerging option, it requires significant effort to expand sourcing capabilities for these chips.

What has been your biggest milestone to date?

We successfully developed a micro NIR spectrometer for handheld field measurements of agricultural products. The robust optical chip is a major advantage for customers, as agricultural field operations are challenging, and the user environment is tough.

What excites you most about the future of the microelectronics industry?

I’m excited about the continued integration of optical and electronic chips, which will demand extraordinary effort from the optical industry, as scalability and electronic integration are still maturing in this sector.

What’s next for the business over the next 12 months?

Accelerating the optical integration and packaging efforts both internally and with partners and customers.