Swave Photonics secures $28M to make holograms a reality

Swave Photonics has secured $28.27 million in Series A funding to develop holographic display technology for AI-powered smartglasses and heads-up displays.

The funding details: The investment round was co-led by Imec.xpand and SFPIM Relaunch, with participation from both new and existing investors.

• New investors include EIC Fund, IAG Capital Partners, and Murata Electronics North America
• Existing investors Qbic Fund, PMV, Imec, and Luminate also participated
• The company previously raised $10.47 million in seed funding in 2023

Core technology innovation: Swave’s Holographic eXtended Reality (HXR) platform uses proprietary NanoPixel technology to create advanced 3D holographic images.

• The technology utilizes what the company calls the “world’s smallest pixel” to shape light and create high-quality 3D holographic images
• HXR incorporates patented DynamicDepth technology that allows for natural human vision processing
• The company has developed this technology over a decade and holds 60 core technology patents

Competitive advantages: Swave’s solution addresses several key challenges that currently plague AR devices in the market.

• The technology eliminates the need for costly components like waveguides and varifocal lenses
• HXR resolves issues related to device size, weight, and power consumption
• The platform addresses the Vergence-Accommodation Conflict, which typically causes user discomfort and fatigue

Development progress: The company has achieved several significant milestones and is moving toward product deployment.

• Swave successfully demonstrated the world’s first true color holographic display
• The technology will be showcased at CES 2025, where it has already earned a CES Innovation Award
• Product development kits are in preparation, with production devices to follow
• Silicon production is currently underway at partner fabrication facilities

Strategic direction: With the new funding, Swave is positioning itself as a key enabler of future AR applications.

• The company is taking an integrated approach, co-designing elements from holographic spatial light modulators to real-time compute chips
• The development focus is on creating a “reality-first user experience” where digital information adapts to users’ surroundings
• Swave aims to make AR experiences more practical and cost-effective

Looking ahead: The successful commercialization of Swave’s technology could mark a significant turning point in AR device development, though the company will need to navigate the challenges of scaling production and integrating its solution with existing AR platforms and applications.