Iolight Limited secures £163k for portable microscope technology

Portable microscope manufacturer Iolight Limited has secured an estimated £163k in new funding. The Whitchurch-based company, which was incorporated on 20 February 2014, specialises in high-resolution digital microscopes that display images and videos of cells directly on mobile devices.

The technology is designed to facilitate field research for professionals including veterinarians, agronomists, and ecologists. It also provides live-cell imaging capabilities for laboratory environments and educational settings. By allowing users to view microscopic samples on tablets and smartphones, the company removes the need for traditional laboratory equipment in remote locations.

This latest allotment of shares was completed on 1 May 2026, with the official filing dated 5 May 2026. While the valuation for this specific round was not disclosed, the company was previously valued at £1m during its 2015 funding rounds.

The £163k investment follows a consistent history of capital raises for the firm. Iolight Limited previously raised £116.6k in July 2025 and £149.8k in November 2023. Prior to those rounds, the company secured £250.5k in November 2021 and £12.2k in June 2020. Earlier financial records show a £319.8k round in May 2017. In 2015, the company completed two rounds in March and April, raising £109k and £49.6k respectively.

According to the latest available accounts, Iolight Limited operates with a team of three employees. The company focuses on the manufacture of optical instruments and photographic equipment to support its product line of portable imaging tools.