Spotlight: Dr Aravind Venugopalan Nair Jalajakumari, Co-Founder of Singular Photonics

Redefining what imaging technology can achieve 

From improving cancer diagnosis to enabling machines to perceive the world in entirely new ways, Dr Aravind Venugopalan Nair Jalajakumari is redefining what imaging technology can achieve.  

As CTO and Co-Founder of Singular Photonics, and a Royal Academy of Engineering Enterprise Hub Member, Aravind is turning cutting-edge semiconductor research into sensors capable of detecting and precisely timing individual photons. 

Based in Scotland, Singular Photonics is part of a thriving engineering and semiconductor ecosystem that has helped establish the country as a global centre for photonics innovation. We caught up with Aravind to learn more about the technology behind the company, his journey from research to commercialisation, and how the Enterprise Fellowship helped transform an engineer into an entrepreneur. 

As an engineer and academic by background, I quickly realised the importance of having strong commercial leadership to complement the technical vision.

Seeing beyond conventional imaging 

Most cameras simply capture light. Singular Photonics' sensors do much more than that. 

The company develops advanced single-photon imaging technology capable of detecting and precisely timing individual photons, allowing its sensors to capture information that conventional image sensors cannot. 

The potential applications are wide-ranging, from accelerating disease diagnosis and advancing scientific research to improving industrial inspection, machine vision and autonomous systems. 

"Our technology enables people and machines to see what conventional image sensors cannot," Aravind explains. 

He describes the technology as "smarter eyes". Rather than simply capturing light and sending all the data elsewhere to be processed, Singular Photonics' sensors can perform complex calculations directly within each pixel. This makes them faster, more accurate and significantly more energy efficient than traditional imaging systems. 

One example is the company's Andarta sensor, which can analyse subtle changes in light caused by blood flowing through tissue. This enables measurement of tissue blood flow and provides valuable physiological information that can support biomedical research and the development of next-generation diagnostic techniques for diseases such as cancer. 

From research to commercial opportunity 

The decision to launch Singular Photonics came as the underlying technology reached a pivotal moment. 

For years, single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) technology was largely confined to research laboratories. Advances in semiconductor manufacturing made it commercially scalable, while also highlighting capabilities that conventional imaging technologies simply could not match. 

"That combination of performance, scalability and broad applicability made it clear there was a significant commercial opportunity," says Aravind. 

What began as advanced engineering research became the foundation for a company developing imaging technology with applications across healthcare, science and industry. 

Building a deep tech business

While the engineering challenges were exciting, Aravind quickly realised that building a successful company required much more than technical expertise. 

"What excited me most was the opportunity to build something new in a field I'm genuinely passionate about," he says. 

The team prioritised bringing in commercial expertise before expanding with specialists in hardware, software and firmware. They also established manufacturing partnerships to help transition from innovative prototypes to scalable commercial products. 

One of Aravind's biggest lessons has been recognising that exceptional technology alone isn't enough. 

"As an engineer and academic, my instinct was to focus on solving technical challenges. But commercial success requires just as much attention to customers, partnerships, fundraising and building the right team." 

Like many startups, not every technical approach delivered the expected results. Looking back, Aravind says those moments strengthened both the product and the business, teaching him resilience, adaptability and the value of surrounding yourself with people whose skills complement your own. 

Measuring success

Singular Photonics has already achieved several significant milestones. 

Securing its first funding round gave the team the confidence and resources to build the business. Achieving its first commercial sale and welcoming its first OEM customer validated both the technology and market demand.  

Today, Aravind is particularly proud that the company has developed and commercialised one of the world's most advanced SPAD imaging sensors. 

"Seeing our technology move from research and development into the hands of customers, where it can enable new scientific discoveries and real-world applications, has been a defining achievement." 

Emma Loedel and Dr Aravind Venugopalan Nair Jalajakumari

The impact of the Enterprise Fellowship

Coming from academia, Aravind says the Enterprise Fellowship gave him an entirely new perspective on entrepreneurship. 

"The Enterprise Fellowship helped me develop the commercial skills that aren't typically taught - everything from cash flow management and fundraising to pitching, company culture and strategic thinking." 

The programme’s financial support also allowed him to focus on building the company without the immediate pressure of earning a salary. 

Beyond the practical support, Aravind says the Enterprise Hub community has become one of the programme's greatest benefits. 

"My Enterprise Fellowship cohort has become an invaluable support network, and many of us remain close friends, continuing to learn from and encourage one another as our businesses grow." 

For prospective applicants, his advice is simple: persevere, seek feedback, stay open to learning and enjoy the journey. 

The Enterprise Fellowship is much more than a funding programme - it's an opportunity to become part of an exceptional community that will continue to support you long after the Enterprise Fellowship ends.

Quickfire with Aravind 

My role model is... 

My daughter. She reminds me every day to stay curious, resilient and see the world from a fresh perspective.  

A random fact not many people know about me is... 

I genuinely enjoy explaining complex technology in simple terms. 

When I was a child, I wanted to be... 

An engineer who could build computers. 

Best piece of advice I've ever received is... 

Treat people with kindness and respect - you never know what they're going through.  

I don't understand why... 

In an increasingly connected world, we still let borders define us. 

If I had to start all over again, I would change... 

Very little. Every challenge, setback and success has helped shape the company we are today.  

Looking ahead

As Singular Photonics continues to expand its commercial partnerships and bring its imaging technology to more industries, Aravind remains focused on the impact the company can have. 

From improving healthcare diagnostics to advancing scientific discovery and enabling the next generation of intelligent machines, the possibilities are only just beginning. 

For Aravind, the motivation is as strong today as when the company first began. 

There's something incredibly rewarding about seeing an idea evolve from a concept in the lab into technology that helps solve meaningful challenges in healthcare, science and industry.