Thursday 23rd April 2026, 11:29am
Northern Light Microscopy, a University of Strathclyde spinout and Roslin Innovation Centre member, has raised over £1 million in an oversubscribed pre-seed round to accelerate the market launch of its breakthrough imaging technology that makes advanced microscopy accessible to laboratories worldwide.
The investment was led by DSW Ventures, with participation from Scottish Enterprise and SWIM Capital, and will support early commercial deployments of NLM’s flagship product, continued software development and expansion of its product line.
Northern Light Microscopy (NLM) was established to address a fundamental barrier in life sciences with super-resolution microscopy, a critical tool underpinning research across biotech and pharma, which remains out of reach for many labs due to high costs, technical complexity and difficulty integrating into existing workflows.
The company is founded by Dr Peter Tinning (CEO) and Dr Ralf Bauer (CTO).
Pictured (L-R): Mark Peters, Peter Tinning, Ralf Bauer, and Mark Donnachie.
NLM’s first product, the Advanced Modular Imaging System (AMIS), is a compact benchtop microscope that combines flexible micro-optics with structured illumination to deliver up to eight imaging modes in a single, cost-effective instrument. Its proprietary light engine enables powerful illumination control across multiple experimental settings, giving users high throughput alongside high resolution without protocol changes.
In direct comparison studies, the AMIS has already outperformed established systems costing significantly more. The company is targeting UKCA and CE marking ahead of first commercial sales, with early customer deployments informing product development and supporting international expansion from 2027.
“We’re excited to enter the next stage for Northern Light Microscopy. With the technology validated, this funding enables us to move forward into initial sales, scaling and product line expansion.
"It’s been great to work with the DSW Ventures team, who recognised both the strength of the technology and our ability as founders to build a commercially viable business.”
Dr Peter Tinning, Northern Light Microscopy, CEO and co-founder“Northern Light Microscopy has developed an instrument that delivers super-resolution imaging performance at a price point that opens the technology to thousands of laboratories currently priced out of advanced microscopy.
"The AMIS has already outperformed established systems, costing significantly more in direct comparison studies, and Peter and Ralf bring a combination of deep technical expertise and commercial understanding that gives us confidence in the company’s ability to execute. We look forward to supporting the team as they bring the AMIS to market.”
James Reston, DSW Ventures, Investment ManagerNorthern Light Microscopy is a Roslin Innovation Centre member company. Last summer we hosted a joint event with the Roslin Institute where NLM showcase the company's accessible advanced technology and introduced their flagship product, AMIS, a compact and fully enclosed and compact design for safe, secure imaging experiments within the lab.
"We wish NLM every success in accelerating the commercial deployment of their flagship system, the AMIS, as the company grows the team and continues to develop accessible advanced imaging solutions for life science labs of all sizes to transform bioscience discoveries."
Val Hughes-White, Roslin Innovation Centre Innovation DirectorRoslin Innovation Centre
The University of Edinburgh
Easter Bush Campus
Midlothian EH25 9RG
