DeepTech startup Cytely has raised €3 million to accelerate the rollout of its smart microscopy platform, which transforms standard laboratory microscopes into real-time data analysis engines.
The funding round was led by Ugly Duckling Ventures, with continued backing from Icebreaker.vc, and will support Cytely’s expansion across Europe, the U.S., and Asia.
“Scientists have been constrained by workflows built for images, not data,” said Philip Nordenfelt, Co-founder & CEO. “Cytely turns any microscope into a real-time measurement instrument — closing the loop from acquisition to decision in days, not months. Our goal is to make every experiment analysis-ready from creation so discoveries can truly compound.”
From Static Images to Data-Driven Discovery
Founded in 2023 in Lund, Cytely is redefining how microscopy fits into modern research. Its platform replaces manual, image-based workflows — which often take weeks and deliver limited statistical reliability — with automated, data-rich, reproducible analysis.
By converting visual outputs into structured data, the startup enables researchers to analyze 100% of their samples in real time, significantly accelerating discovery while improving accuracy and confidence. The platform is hardware-agnostic, compatible with existing microscopes, and eliminates the need for expensive imaging systems.
Currently deployed in leading research institutions such as Lund University, Cytely supports applications in virology, oncology, immunology, and metabolic disease.
“Cytely’s software is a democratizing force in science,” said Dr. Vinay Swaminathan, Head of the Laboratory of Cell & Molecular Mechanobiology at Lund University. “It decouples world-class discovery from world-class funding — giving any researcher with a microscope the power to make breakthroughs that used to require multimillion-euro facilities.”
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Real Results, Real Impact
The platform is already delivering measurable impact:
- At Lund University, researchers studying herpesvirus latency went from manually processing 0.1% of samples to analyzing nearly 100% — uncovering a previously hidden cell-line defense mechanism and achieving five years of progress in one month.
- A cancer research lab reduced manual analysis time by 75%, saving €300,000 annually and doubling team productivity.
- A nanowire biotech company increased R&D output by 40%, generating an estimated $1 million in extra annual value.
- Another laboratory replaced a €400,000 imaging system entirely by using Cytely’s software with existing microscopes.
Scaling Smart Science
With the new funding, the company will:
- Develop intelligent acquisition tools compatible with all microscope brands.
- Introduce one-click workflows for researchers of any skill level.
- Build a collaborative discovery network, enabling validated protocols and datasets to be shared, replayed, and iterated — paving the way for predictive and partially autonomous research.
“Cytely’s vision is truly transformative,” said Louise Lachmann, Partner at Ugly Duckling Ventures. “By turning every microscope into a smart data system, they’re unlocking a new era of accessible, data-centric science.”
About Cytely
Cytely is a Swedish DeepTech company transforming microscopy into a real-time data science platform. Founded in 2023 by Philip Nordenfelt, the company leverages AI-driven analytics to convert standard lab microscopes into powerful measurement tools — accelerating discovery across biology, medicine, and materials science. With teams in Lund, San Diego, and Singapore, Cytely is pioneering the future of data-driven, autonomous research.
