Shahida Imani

Shahida Imani is the CEO and Co-Founder of Singular Photonics, an Edinburgh-based fabless semiconductor spinout from the University of Edinburgh developing next-generation SPAD (Single-Photon Avalanche Diode) image sensors for 4D imaging. Before co-founding Singular Photonics, she spent nearly a decade at Heriot-Watt University, where she developed expertise in photonics commercialisation and technology business development, working at the intersection of academic research and industry application.

Singular Photonics was incorporated in February 2024 and emerged from the University of Edinburgh's globally respected CMOS Sensors and Systems Group, led by Professor Robert Henderson — one of the pioneers of SPAD digital imaging. Imani joined forces with Dr Aravind Venugopalan (CTO) and Dr Neil Finlayson to translate over two decades of frontier photonics research into commercially manufacturable semiconductor components. She brought to the venture the commercial acumen and leadership skills needed to navigate the transition from academic spinout to revenue-generating technology company — achieving commercial sales within the company's first year of operation.

Under her leadership, Singular Photonics has launched two SPAD-based sensor products, secured partnerships with leading European instrumentation companies including AMS Technologies, joined the Silicon Catalyst UK incubation programme, and participated in the UK government's Chipstart UK programme. The company raised £1 million from the Scottish Venture Fund, Cambridge Angels, and Old College Capital to accelerate chip design development and commercial partnerships. Imani sits on the board of EPIC, the European Photonics Industry Consortium, and has been recognised as a leading figure in Scotland's deep-tech ecosystem.