Hamburg-based deeptech startup MuRay has raised €7.1 million to further develop its Active Muon Imaging technology and bring it to industrial customers.
The funding includes a €3.5 million private investment round led by First Momentum Ventures and co-led by Caelora, a wholly owned subsidiary of Marvel Fusion. Other investors include Superangel, Mätch VC, Arcas VC, Tiny VC and existing investor Nordic Science Investments. MuRay has also secured €3.6 million in public funding, including a grant from the EU’s Horizon Europe programme.
Founded by Dr Andi Hektor and Dr Kristjan Põder, who serve as co-CEOs, MuRay is developing imaging technology that uses controlled muon beams to look inside dense materials and industrial components.
The company is initially focusing on quality checks for complex and safety-critical parts, such as 3D-printed rocket engines and gas turbine components. Finding hidden defects inside these parts can be difficult with existing inspection methods.
Traditional X-rays often struggle to pass through dense materials. MuRay’s technology uses muons to create detailed 3D images of components made from metals, ceramics and composite materials. It can detect differences in material composition and density, helping companies inspect components in minutes instead of hours.
Dr Andi Hektor, co-founder and co-CEO of MuRay, said: “X-rays reach their limit at a few centimetres of steel, yet much of modern industry, from reusable rockets to gas turbines, is built from metal far thicker than that. Active muon imaging lets manufacturers see inside those large, dense components.”
MuRay is also exploring how its technology could be used in the space, aerospace, defence and energy industries. Better inspections could help companies check components such as reusable rocket engines and jet engines faster, reducing maintenance time.
Working with the German Space Agency at DLR, MuRay has developed a model to test how its technology could inspect a rocket engine. The company plans to carry out its first real-world test in 2027 to show how well the technology can detect hidden defects in critical components.
Dr Kristjan Põder, co-founder and co-CEO, added: “Defects that manufacturers can’t see keep parts out of service for longer than they should be. Our technology helps them find those defects and get components back into service faster.”
MuRay is also exploring ways to use its technology for cargo and border security. It could help detect nuclear materials, such as uranium, hidden inside dense cargo. In the future, the technology could also be used to monitor radioactive waste, inspect large structures such as bridges and buildings, and support medical diagnosis.
The new funding will help MuRay improve its technology and bring it to market. The company plans to develop a mobile imaging system about the size of a shipping container, allowing businesses to inspect industrial components directly at their sites.
