Microscopy of tomorrow: Chromodynamics' hyperspectral innovations

It crowns an intensive period of growth and innovation: Chromodynamics, a specialist in hyperspectral imaging of human tissue, recently received the Young Business Award during the Brainport Entrepreneur Awards (BOP). CEO Wouter Vijvers speaks of a “beautiful honor” that not only motivates the team but also opens doors. "The day after the award ceremony, we moved to our new location on the High Tech Campus. The award was the first thing we hung on the wall; that immediately gives a good story when you have a multinational visiting, which just happened to be the case for us."

Since raising €2 million at the end of 2024, Chromodynamics has experienced a significant growth spurt. "We doubled in team size in six months, from four to nine people. And number ten starts in September," says Ponds. That growth is necessary because the company is developing a complex solution: a fully automated workflow for a microscope, along with associated software and enhancements such as dyes, to radically accelerate and improve tissue research.

A new standard in tissue analysis

What Chromodynamics is developing is not a classic microscope. The device is a tabletop system that can scan up to 160 tissue slides per run in high resolution. This is done fully automatically, for example, at night without further supervision, and with an unparalleled level of detail. “Our system not only takes an image, but builds a map of the tissue, so to speak,” explains Vijvers. “Each cell is determined by what type it is, just as you can zoom in on Google Maps from a city map to individual buildings.”

That richness of data and streamlined workflow saves enormous amounts of time: what currently takes three to six months is reduced to less than a week. More importantly, the information is more detailed, cheaper, and more reliable. "We want to make this form of microscopy a mainstream solution. Because it tells so much more about what exactly is going on in a patient, especially concerning the immune system."

A multidisciplinary team

The Chromodynamics team consists of subgroups, each responsible for a component of the system, ranging from optics and mechanics to sample preparation, data processing, and interface development. “We build our own optics, work with engineers on the mechatronics, and develop smart algorithms that can process the huge amount of image data in real time.”

Sample preparation is a crucial step in the process. The team is working on methods to stain tissue faster and more effectively with specific markers, which enables further analysis. Says Ponds: "The overall workflow determines success. You can have the best device in the world, but if sample preparation takes months, you're not getting anywhere."

Ready for the next step

The next few months are crucial. The first full-scale prototype is in development; by the end of the year, Chromodynamics aims to provide a demonstration to a potential customer. “That will be our big milestone: to show that the whole system works in practice, with all the unique benefits we claim,” he says.

In parallel, the company is preparing for additional financing. "If everything runs perfectly, we can hold out until the product is on the market. However, this is a deeptech product, so we must be prepared for potential development setbacks. And we will have to keep investing, including in validation studies for different customers, each with their requirements."

In those processes, Rabobank is an important partner for Chromodynamics. Startup & Scale-up Banker Michel Ziekman guides the company. "It all started in late 2023 when we issued the startup a Rabobank Innovation Loan. That, together with a contribution from the Brabant Startup Fund, accounted for the first half million the startup was able to start with. Since then, we have met regularly to discuss the company's progress. We try to help them both financially and in terms of network, and that is also why we nominated them for the Young Business Award and helped them with their pitch. They have a great product, but to really get it on the market, you need visibility. Fortunately, they are handling that very well."

Although there is still much work to be done, Ponds stays ambitious and confident above all. "We have gradually learned that we offer more than just a device. We provide a solution that transforms the entire tissue analysis process. And that is now starting to bear fruit."

Do you also have a revolutionary idea and are looking for funding to make your dream a reality? Contact Startup & Scale-up Banker Michel Ziekman, , or visit Rabobank's website for more information: