University of Edinburgh spinout Singular Photonics has raised $2.15 million in an oversubscribed round led by ACF Investors, with the funds earmarked to expand engineering capacity and accelerate its next generation of single-photon image sensors.
The round drew participation from Wren Capital, Cambridge Angels, Scottish Enterprise, QEG and Old College Capital (OCC), the University of Edinburgh’s own venture investment fund. Existing shareholders exceeded their pre-emption rights in the round, which was announced on 19 August 2026 (Edinburgh Innovations).
Singular Photonics spun out of the University of Edinburgh’s School of Engineering in 2025 and develops single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) image sensors with on-chip computation — technology aimed at machine vision, industrial automation, physical AI, scientific discovery and medical imaging. The company was co-founded by Professor Robert Henderson, Dr Aravind Venugopalan (now CTO), Dr Neil Finlayson (Applications Scientist) and Shahida Imani, who is chief executive.
Imani said: “This has been a phenomenal year for Singular Photonics. This oversubscribed round means we can respond faster – expanding our sensor portfolio and bringing new features to market on our customers’ timelines, not just our own.”
Katharine Fox, Head of Investment at Old College Capital, said: “We’re pleased to continue to invest into our spinout Singular Photonics, as they bring their on-chip computation to wider customer markets. Their pioneering optical sensor technology is a step-change in the levels of precision sensing currently available.”
Dr Dipesh Patel, former CTO of Arm and a newly appointed board member, said: “SPADs have long been viewed as highly sensitive photon-counting devices, but Singular is showing the world that a far greater opportunity is now emerging, and I’m looking forward to helping the company capitalise on that opportunity.”
The deal is another data point in Edinburgh’s growing physical-AI and photonics cluster.
