NovoViz: The Venture Leader Technology advancing single-photon imaging

30.03.2026 10:00, Rita Longobardi

Meet Andrada Muntean, founder of NovoViz. The engineering startup develops single-photon computational engines in multiple technology nodes for high-speed, high-sensitivity applications with limited data capacity. Andrada and the other nine Swiss National Technology Team members will fly to Silicon Valley in April.

Name: Andrada Muntean
Location: Neuchâtel
Nationality: Romanian
Graduated from: EPFL
Prior role: Post-doctoral researcher
Founding team members: Andrada Muntean, Andrei Ardelean, Samuel Cheng, Ekin Kizilkan, Utku Karaca, Edoardo Charbon
Number of employees: 6
Money raised: USD 1.9M (CLAs, grants, equity)


What does your product or solution do, and what makes it unique?
NovoViz develops smart image sensors that detect single particles of light and process part of the data directly on the chip, reducing data volume and system complexity. This enables ultra-sensitive, high-speed imaging systems that are smaller, more affordable, and easier to integrate into real-world products.

What trend or shift in your industry is currently creating the biggest opportunity for you?
As imaging and sensing markets hit hard limits on data bandwidth and power, the fastest-growing opportunity lies in single-photon edge sensing, smart sensors that collapse detection and pre-processing into the pixel, unlocking scalable quantum cameras.

How did the idea for your startup originate?
NovoViz originated from a critical insight into the limitations of existing single-photon imaging technologies: despite their exceptional sensitivity, these systems remained prohibitively expensive, operationally complex, and burdened by overwhelming raw data volumes, confining their use to specialized research environments. Our founders envisioned a transformative approach, integrating intelligent on-sensor processing directly into the detector architecture, to preserve ultra-high sensitivity and speed while dramatically reducing system complexity, data throughput, and costs.

Which market are you addressing, and what potential do you see for your startup in that market?
NovoViz is targeting the rapidly growing market for computational single-photon imaging with primary applications in quantum imaging, defense, and space sensing.

What impact do you want your technology to have five years from now?
In five years, NovoViz will enable practical single-photon visible and infrared sensing in high-volume applications. By embedding on-sensor processing, we’ll cut data volumes, lower system costs, and deliver power-efficient modules for real-time, ultra-sensitive detection in low-light and dynamic situations.

What major challenges have you faced so far?
The most significant challenge came from securing funding to bring the first and second line of sensors to the market. Amid a constrained deep-tech hardware funding landscape, we independently secured over 1M USD via grants, CLAs and equity, enabling self-funded R&D.

What motivates you on tough days?
I make a conscious effort to refocus on my overarching objectives, prioritising long-term goals rather than becoming preoccupied with short-term setbacks. I also find it helpful to document the milestones and accomplishments we have achieved to date, as this reinforces progress and maintains perspective.

Why did you decide to join the Venture Leaders Roadshow, and what are you most excited about?
We are eager to deepen our understanding of the U.S. startup ecosystem, enhance our visibility in the international market, and cultivate strong relationships with investors and industry leaders.