Max-IR Labs, experts in infrared sensing solutions for industrial process control, environmental monitoring, medical diagnostics, and biochemical analysis, has been awarded the $10,000 top prize at the 15th annual SPIE StartupChallenge, held during SPIE Photonics West on January 28. Specifically, the company’s AquaCarbon Monitor was recognized for its potential to facilitate carbon credit validation through precise CO₂ monitoring in water systems.
Recognizing Innovation in Photonics Startups
The SPIE Startup Challenge is an annual pitch competition highlighting innovative photonics-based technologies across healthcare, deep tech, and industrial applications. This year’s competition featured seven finalists presenting solutions in medical imaging, environmental monitoring, and advanced manufacturing.
Photosynthetic B.V. secured second place ($5,000) for its Volumetric Micro-Lithography system, which enables the rapid fabrication of 3D microdevices with submicron features. OptiCardio finished in third place ($2,500) with its spectroscopy-enabled device, designed to improve the success rate of ablation procedures for atrial fibrillation.
Max-IR Labs’ CO₂ Monitoring Innovation
Max-IR Labs’ AquaCarbon Monitor introduces a novel approach to infrared-based CO₂ sensing for industrial process control and environmental monitoring. The technology enables accurate, real-time measurements without drift or interference, making it ideal for applications such as water quality assessment, carbon credit validation, and climate monitoring.
“Our participation in the SPIE Startup Challenge has been really great for putting me into the mindset of seeking investments and talking to investors,” said Max-IR Labs Vice President of Technology Trey Daunis about winning the competition. “I especially found a lot of value in the mentoring sessions that we did before the presentations, which were really helpful. Being one of the winners feels pretty good, and the money will come in handy as we move forward with our business plan.”
Supporting Photonics Innovation
The 2025 SPIE Startup Challenge was supported by Founding Partner Jenoptik, Lead Sponsor Hamamatsu, and Supporting Sponsors Luminate and Thorlabs. Competitors were evaluated based on business models, financial viability, and competitive advantages by a panel of industry experts, including representatives from Jenoptik, Hamamatsu Ventures, Edmund Optics, Advancing Photonic Technologies, and ams OSRAM.
Light-based technologies enable developments in a proliferating number of areas, from healthcare and high-speed communications to quantum computing, AR/VR/MR, and self-driving vehicles. The annual SPIE Startup Challenge provides a distinctive and vibrant platform for optics and photonics startups from across the globe that are creating novel products, applications, and technologies. Startup Challenge winners that have gone on to wider commercial success include Cellino Biotech, Double Helix Optics, PhotoniCare, C. Light Technologies, Circle Optics, and In A Blink, among others.
About Max-IR Labs
Founded in 2017, Max-IR Labs specializes in infrared sensing solutions for industrial process control, environmental monitoring, medical diagnostics, and biochemical analysis. The company’s patented technology enables real-time, non-reactive compound analysis in liquids of varying clarity, overcoming challenges faced by UV, electrochemical, and direct infrared techniques. Max-IR Labs’ AquaCarbon Monitor uses a proprietary optical fiber-based infrared sensing method that allows for precise, stable CO₂ monitoring in water and industrial fluids. The system’s self-calibration technology eliminates measurement drift, ensuring high accuracy and low maintenance in industrial, biomedical, and environmental applications.
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