OptoGuide Technology
Category: AI Chips / Semiconductors
Developer of silicon-based optoelectronic integrated chips (silicon photonics) for miniaturized spectral sensing, optical switching, and AI optical computing OptoGuide Technology was founded in 2021. The company is led by Cheng Qixiang (程祺翔). Based in Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China. Team size: 11-50. Total funding raised: $13.8M. Key investors include Zhongke Chuangxing (中科创星), Photon Strong Chain Fund (光子强链基金), Shanda Investment (善达投资), Yangtze Optical Fibre and Cable Fund (长飞基金), Luoyang Talent Fund (洛阳英才), Xi'an Financial Investment (西安财金).
- Founded
- 2021
- Headquarters
- Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Team size
- 11-50
- Total funding
- $13.8M
Value proposition
Miniaturized computational spectrometer on a chip (rice-grain size) that replaces bulky traditional spectrometers, enabling spectral sensing in wearables, medical aesthetics, and industrial applications at mass-production cost under $20
Products and solutions
Spectrometer chip (on-chip spectral modulation), Spectrometer module (button-sized spectral sensor), Spectral analysis solutions, Optical computing chip, Optical switching chip
Unique value
Computational spectrometer technology integrating precision optical systems onto a silicon photonic chip the size of a grain of rice, with 600-2500nm wavelength coverage, 0.01nm max resolution, and sub-$20 target cost after mass production
Target customer
Wearable device manufacturers (smartwatches, health bands); Medical aesthetics companies; Industrial/food quality testing; Optical communication equipment makers
Industries served
Wearable devices, Medical aesthetics/healthcare, Industrial material detection, Food & agriculture, Environmental monitoring, Chemical/pharmaceutical, Optical communications
Technology advantage
Computational spectrometer architecture using silicon photonics — encodes incident light through on-chip sampling units and reconstructs full spectral information via algorithms, eliminating need for physical light-splitting elements (prisms/gratings). Optical Convolutional Spectrometer architecture (published in Nature Photonics). Three technology pillars: optical sensing, optical switching, optical computing. Team from University of Cambridge with 66% master's/PhD holders.
How they differentiate
Unlike traditional spectrometers costing $100-$2000 with fingernail-to-charger sizes, OptoGuide's chip is rice-grain sized with sub-$20 target cost. Uses computational spectroscopy (algorithmic reconstruction) vs. physical light-splitting. Covers 600-2500nm NIR range with 0.01nm resolution. Expanding into optical switching (silicon photonics for data centers) as second growth curve.
Main competitors
ams OSRAM (spectral sensing), SiFotonics (silicon photonics), Hamamatsu Photonics (miniature spectrometers)
Key partnerships
L'Oréal (skin collagen detection), Huawei (electric drive chips and algorithm adaptation), Xiaomi (wearable spectral sensing), University of Cambridge (joint R&D), Yangtze Optical Fibre and Cable Fund (industrial chain synergy)
Notable customers
L'Oréal, Huawei, Xiaomi, multiple wineries (fermentation monitoring)
Major milestones
Founded 2021 in Xuzhou, Angel+ round from Zhongke Chuangxing (~2025), Published Optical Convolutional Spectrometer in Nature Photonics (April 2026), Pre-A round of ¥100M (July 2026), Expanded into optical switching (2026), R&D centers in Xuzhou, Shanghai, and Cambridge
Growth metrics
Global micro-spectrometer market: $460M (2024) → $822M (2031), CAGR 8.8% (QYResearch); Micro spectrometer market: $1.18B (2025) → $2.15B (2030), CAGR 12.8% (Business Research Company)
Market positioning
Early-stage deep-tech company targeting the growing micro-spectrometer market ($460M in 2024, projected $822M by 2031 per QYResearch; $1.18B in 2025 to $2.15B in 2030 per Business Research Company). Also entering silicon photonics optical switching market (expected to grow from 30% to 60% of optical module market by 2030).
Geographic focus
China (primary), with R&D centers in Xuzhou, Shanghai, and Cambridge (UK)
Patents and IP
Silicon-based on-chip Fourier transform spectrometer and method for obtaining light source reconstructed spectrum (CN111947780A); Optical Convolutional Spectrometer architecture published in Nature Photonics (2026)
About Cheng Qixiang (程祺翔)
Associate Professor at University of Cambridge, Electrical Engineering Division; PhD from University of Cambridge (2014); BSc from Huazhong University of Science and Technology (2010); previously worked in HiSilicon's optoelectronics team; 16+ years in photonic integration
Latest news about OptoGuide Technology
More AI Chips / Semiconductors companies
Official website: https://glitterintech.com
