The Dresden high tech company Senorics has closed an eight million euros pre-series A financing round. The money allows for the necessary investments to scale the innovative material analysis sensor technology for the industrial market. The circle of investors was joined by Fidura Private Equity as lead investor and Zeiss Ventures. The previous cooperation with Ventura Investment, the Technologie Gründerfonds Sachsen (TGFS) and the TU Dresden AG will also continue. They have participated in the current financial round with a significant investment and have been supporting Senorics since 2018, when they took part in the seed funding.

The German company specializes in novel near-infrared spectroscopy sensors. They are smaller than a one cent coin and thus can be integrated into household appliances and smartphones. The sensor allows for a contactless analysis of material compositions, which until now was only possible in laboratories using bulky spectrometers. 

In infrared spectroscopy a solid or liquid material is irradiated by light. Based on the wavelength distribution of the reflected light, material compositions can be identified and quantified. In an industrial context, for example, the technology allows for process monitoring and quality control because of its ability to detect contamination. 

Broad application possibilities and great development potential

“We are looking forward to accompanying this fascinating business as an investor and sparring partner over the coming years” says Klaus Ragotzky, founder of Fidura Fonds. Essential for the decision of Fidura Private Equity Fonds to get  involved with Senorics was the unique patented sensor technology which holds big market potential.

“In comparison to classic optical semiconductor sensors, whose technology is almost exhausted in the infrared region, the organic semiconductor sensors used by Senorics offer huge development potential,” explains Klaus Ragotzky further.

“We know Senorics through past cooperation, which is the reason for our involvement in this financial round” explains Gerrit Schulte, Head of Zeiss Ventures. “We see a broad application field with organic semiconductor technology. We think that powerful miniature sensors based on organic semiconductors enable many applications that aren’t possible today using big and expensive spectrometers.”

Pilot line will be ready before summer

For Dr Ronny Timmreck, founder of Senorics, the successfully completed financial round is a big step towards the realization of its vision. “Thanks to our small, powerful infrared sensors, all people will soon benefit from material analysis.” Dr Timmreck is pleased that, along with previous supporters, new investors were won over. “With Fidura and Zeiss we have two new experienced investors on our side, which will support us with our next step: to scale our technology for the industrial market.”

Currently Senorics is working on the setup of a pilot line, which will be ready before the summer. The company is supported in their undertaking by the Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP) of TU Dresden. The milestone is also made possible by the Saxon Ministry of Economy and their program to fund the installation of pilot lines for key technologies. “The pilot line is an important gateway for further scaling our technology” explains Timmreck. (Source: Senorics)

Further reading: J. Pozo: “Make Sure Your Idea Is Scalable” – A portrait of Ronny Timmreck, CEO of Senorics, provider of spectroscopic sensor solutions based on organic semiconductors, PhotonicsViews 17(6), pp. 20–22, December 2020