Keit

Keit Industrial Analytics, a spin-out from the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratories, was established in 2012. The company originated from technology initially developed for a Mars mission and was commercialized through the European Space Agency Business Incubation Centre (ESA BIC). Dan Wood, who holds an MSc in Engineering & Economics from the University of Oxford, joined as CEO in 2014 and has since guided the company's transition into a customer-focused enterprise. Keit has secured approximately $5.14 million in funding over two rounds, including a Series A round in 2018, from investors such as Longwall Ventures, Angel CoFund, and the UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund.

The firm specializes in providing real-time, in-line process analysis for liquids and slurries across various manufacturing sectors. Its business model centers on the sale of its flagship product, the IRmadillo™ spectrometer, to clients in industries like chemicals, biofuels, pulp & paper, and pharmaceuticals. Keit enables companies to move beyond offline sample analysis by offering continuous, real-time data directly from the production line, which helps optimize processes, increase yields, and improve safety and quality control.

Keit's core product is the IRmadillo™, a rugged Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometer designed for harsh industrial environments. Unlike conventional FTIR instruments that are often fragile and contain moving parts, the IRmadillo features a static, solid-state optical design that makes it highly resistant to vibrations. This allows it to be mounted directly onto reaction vessels or process pipes for continuous monitoring. The instrument utilizes an Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR) probe with a solid diamond tip, which is immersed in the liquid to analyze its chemical composition. It operates in the mid-infrared spectrum, making it effective at measuring the concentration of various molecules even in the presence of solids or bubbles. The system is certified for use in hazardous and potentially explosive environments and is designed for long-term stability with minimal maintenance requirements.