Brilliance, an Enschede-based startup, has raised €6 million to accelerate the development of its integrated RGB laser chip technology, enabling next-generation Augmented Reality (AR) displays.
The round was led by Cottonwood Technology Fund, with participation from existing investors like PhotonVentures, Oost NL, PhotiX, and other co-investors.
“We have built a solid foundation thanks to the market traction we are generating and the core technology that has already proven itself. We will now continue scaling up and design custom solutions for our customers, while preparing for the first production launch by the finish of this year. Our goal is to bring scalable RGB laser chips to applications where size, efficiency and integration are critical for everyday utilize,” stated Tim Tiek, CEO of Brilliance.
Founded in 2023 by Tiek and Douwe Geuzebroek (CTO), Brilliance manufactures and develops laser chips for AR by applying photonic technologies. Its miniature photonic laser chips enable compact, energy-efficient, and bright AR projectors, addressing key hardware challenges in AR glasses and cars.
According to the company, AR hardware is traditionally limited by the size and efficiency of the light engine. Current display technologies require compromises between brightness, efficiency, and form factor. This restricts the development of devices such as lightweight AR glasses and other applications for everyday indoor and outdoor utilize.
The company states that applying a patented silicon nitride-based photonic integrated circuit (PIC) platform with built-in laser technology, its laser chip reduces power consumption by a factor of ten to enable all-day battery life, enhances brightness for outdoor utilize, and maximises the Field of View for an immersive and natural AR experience. It claims that the tiny package enables a full AR experience in fashionable eyewear.
The technology utilises established high-volume chip manufacturing processes to replace today’s complex and costly optical assemblies. The laser chips are designed to support a variety of display architectures, from industrial laser applications to Head-Up Displays (HUD) in automotive systems and eyewear AR projection.
Jordy Schaufeli, senior investment manager Tech at Oost NL, stated, “Brilliance demonstrates how quickly DeepTech companies can develop when technology, entrepreneurship, and the ecosystem come toobtainher. The company has since become a valuable player within the Dutch photonics ecosystem. This is important becautilize photonics is a key technology in which the Netherlands can build a strong international position.”
In 2023, the company secured €2 million in Seed funding from PhotonVentures and Oost NL.
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