The Technology Behind the Next Generation of Medicine
Few startups begin their journey rooted in Nobel Prize-winning technology, but ONI is not your typical startup. While the world buzzes about AI and the latest social media apps, ONI was born with a purpose: to take decades of complex, groundbreaking super-resolution microscopy research, once reserved for elite labs with vast budgets—and make it accessible to everyone.
From the very start, ONI set a bold vision: to accelerate human discovery and combat disease by enabling scientists to see and understand the microscopic intricacies of life. This vision has remained steadfast since 2017, driving every decision and innovation along the way.
Microscopy Reimagined: A Bold New Standard
To grasp the scale of ONI’s ambition, consider this: the team sought to create a microscope capable of visualizing molecules 5,000 times smaller than a single human hair, all within a desktop system so intuitive anyone could use it. They wanted to democratize a tool once considered inaccessible, turning it into a workhorse for labs around the globe.
The journey began humbly in a small Oxford lab, where a team of engineers and software developers worked tirelessly. In those early days, ingenuity was key—solutions involved RC helicopter parts, water bottle caps, and even paper clips. With limited resources but limitless determination, ONI embraced a scrappy, innovative spirit. They may not have known how to navigate manufacturing, fundraising, or people management, but they knew how to build, iterate, and dream big.
From Scrappy Beginnings to Scientific Excellence
Through relentless iteration, ONI rapidly gained traction. Hardware and software improvements came in waves, each refining the user experience and advancing the technology. This iterative process cultivated a growing customer base and deepened ONI’s connection to the scientific community.
Today, ONI’s focus is sharper than ever. The company has evolved from simply providing cutting-edge hardware to delivering a complete solution centered on customer outcomes. This shift opened doors to partnerships with leading pharmaceutical companies, offering tools that address critical research gaps and empower groundbreaking discoveries. By combining scientific expertise with a deep understanding of customer needs, ONI has positioned itself as a key enabler of innovation in drug development.
A New Era of Discovery
Scientific progress often depends on technology, and over the past two decades, advances in research tools have accelerated at an unprecedented pace. Yet the development of more effective therapies remains a slow and inefficient process. ONI believes the next leap will come from a deeper understanding of biology—by seeing and measuring life in its native state.
This approach promises to transform how we understand disease progression, unlocking new insights that will fuel breakthroughs in cancer treatments, gene therapies, and vaccines. With every iteration of its technology, ONI has stayed true to its mission while continuously refining its offerings to meet the needs of its customers.
Behind Every Breakthrough
Behind every new vaccine, life-saving cancer drug, or gene therapy lies a microscope—and behind that microscope, there are scientists pushing the boundaries of discovery. ONI is proud to play a role in these groundbreaking moments, empowering researchers to uncover insights that could lead to fewer side effects, better treatments, and longer, healthier lives.
As ONI looks to the future, it remains inspired by the possibilities its technology unlocks in the hands of its customers. The journey that began in a small Oxford lab has grown into a global mission to revolutionize science and transform the way we fight disease.