Elio develops sensors that prioritize AI-driven capture rather than human-visible imagery, using dynamic optical layers of micromirrors and on-optics computation so AI can decide what to capture in real time. Its approach treats sensing like software: modules can gain new capabilities after shipping as AI learns to correct and interpret the optics' behavior. The company describes applications across microscopy, semiconductor inspection, robotics and defense, including label-free live-cell observation, seeing through stacked chip layers to find buried defects, multi-sensing robotic modules, and long-range detection of small fast-moving threats. Elio is led by founder and CEO Nadav Grossinger and CTO Nitay Romano, who previously co-built Pebbles Interfaces (acquired by Meta) and led the physical-sensing stack for Meta’s AR/VR headsets. The firm emphasizes its core technology’s basis in diffractive optics and prior commercial and research experience of its leadership. Elio is headquartered in San Mateo, California.

Total raised

$21M

Funding rounds

2

Latest round

Series A

Latest activity

Jul 2026