The story of Karolina Orłowska shows how scientific innovation and resilience can spark real change. As the cofounder and Chief Science Officer of Gekko Photonics, Orłowska has helped reshape Raman spectroscopy.
Her company now leads the way in real-time chemical analysis for industry. Optics & Photonics News even named her one of “10 Entrepreneurs to Watch.”
Her journey blends bold science with the drive and grit needed to build something meaningful. Orłowska and her team at Gekko Photonics keep finding new ways to shape the future of industrial chemistry—and maybe more.
Innovating with Raman Spectroscopy: The Birth of ‘Spectrally’
Raman spectroscopy is a powerful tool for identifying molecules by how they interact with light. Usually, this method calls for lab work and experts, but Orłowska and her Gekko Photonics team decided to make it practical for real-time use in factories.
Their main product, ‘Spectrally’, brings together advanced spectroscopy, custom optics, and AI. This combination lets manufacturers get instant chemical analysis right inside their production lines.
What really makes Spectrally stand out is how it turns tricky spectral data into clear, useful insights for clients. Manufacturers don’t need to wade through the physics—they just get the metrics they need to keep things running smoothly.
This approach removes the old slowdowns, letting companies react faster and work with more precision. It’s a big leap forward for anyone who relies on chemical analysis.
A Strategic Pivot: From Biomedical to Chemical Industry
Gekko Photonics didn’t always aim for the chemical industry. At first, the company wanted to use Raman spectroscopy for biomedical problems.
But by 2022, that plan was hitting dead ends. Funding dried up and the market just wasn’t responding.
During a tense investor meeting that year, Orłowska and her team made a gutsy call—they shifted focus to the chemical sector. That move changed everything.
The chemical industry needed real-time monitoring to boost efficiency and sustainability, and Gekko Photonics could deliver. Spectrally quickly caught on, and manufacturers started to see its value.
Multidisciplinary Collaboration Drives Success
Gekko Photonics grew fast thanks in part to its team’s mix of skills. Physicists, engineers, data scientists, and industry experts all pitch in, making sure every part of their platform works together.
Orłowska often mentions how mutual respect shapes the company’s culture. This attitude helps the team collaborate, tackle setbacks, and keep coming up with fresh solutions.
Looking Ahead: A Vision for Expanding Applications
Even though the company now focuses on chemical manufacturing, Orłowska hasn’t forgotten her original biomedical ambitions. She and her team plan to circle back to that field and also look into new areas like microplastic detection.
With plastic pollution on everyone’s mind, there’s a real chance to open up new markets. It feels like Gekko Photonics is just getting started, and their reputation for innovation keeps growing.
Lessons from Karolina Orłowska’s Journey
Karolina Orłowska’s story really has some things to teach anyone with an entrepreneurial streak—or anyone who loves science, honestly.
- Resilience: When growth stalls or setbacks pop up, sticking with it can eventually open new doors.
- Flexibility: Sometimes you just have to pivot and meet the industry where it’s at if you want to build something that actually works.
- Collaboration: Gather a team that mixes different skills and backgrounds, but make sure there’s real respect in the mix, too. That’s how you get through the tough stuff.
- Vision: It’s tricky, but balancing what’s right in front of you with those bigger dreams keeps things fresh and fuels innovation.
Karolina shows that science isn’t just about discovery—it’s about putting those discoveries to work in the real world. She’s combined her know-how in light-force metrology with a sharp business sense, and that’s helped Gekko Photonics stand out as a company turning deep science into something industries can actually use.
The way Karolina and her team blend physics, AI, and industry feels like it’s opening doors for the next wave of tech. Gekko Photonics keeps pushing boundaries, and honestly, their story makes you wonder what could happen when science and entrepreneurship collide in just the right way.
Here is the source article for this story: Entrepreneurs to Watch 2025: Karolina Orłowska