Seven-figure win for Double Helix

On 28 June, Double Helix Optics, the 2016 champion of SPIE's Startup Challenge, won the $1 million top prize in the Rochester-based, inaugural Luminate NY's accelerator program and competition. Ten emerging companies were originally selected to work with established entrepreneurs over an intensive six months. The final competition recognizes visionary optics, photonics, and imaging companies, based on business pitches to a panel of industry and venture capitalist judges.

Double Helix's SPINDLE, a 3D Nano-imaging module, integrates with microscopes, cameras, and other optical instruments to turn 2D imaging into 3D information capture, successfully pioneering improvement in depth resolution. In addition to the follow-on funding from New York State through the Finger Lakes Forward Upstate Revitalization Initiative, Double Helix will establish operations in Rochester for at least the next 18 months, becoming an active part of that re-vitalized optics and photonics business community.

With their SPINDLE, Double Helix Co-Founder and CEO Leslie Kimerling and her team have successfully commercialized super-resolution microscopy based on the point spread function that led to W.E. Moerner's 2014 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

Kimerling is one of 28 scientists, industry leaders, and engineers featured in the 2018 SPIE Women in Optics planner.



Related SPIE content:

W. E. Moerner video: Super resolution and the double helix point spread function
The ability to switch single molecule emissions on and off enables imaging beyond the diffraction limit.

Double Helix 3D nano-imaging system wins 2016 SPIE Startup Challenge
A 3D nanoscale imaging system, a marijuana breathalyzer, and a disease diagnostic tool made with refrigerator magnets and a laser pointer were selected as top projects in the 2016 SPIE Startup Challenge.

Leslie Kimerling: SPIE Startup Challenge