Swave Photonics Secures Additional €6 Million Funding for AR Holographic Display Technology
Swave Photonics Secures Additional €6 Million Funding for AR Holographic Display Technology
Leuven-based Swave Photonics, a true holographic display innovator, has announced an additional €6 million in funding as part of a follow-on to its Series A round, supporting its Augmented Reality (AR) technology.
The latest investment was led by IAG Capital Partners and joined by Samsung Ventures.
“This follow-on investment demonstrates the tremendous excitement for the emerging Spatial + AI Computing era, and the display technology that will help unlock what comes next,” said Swave CEO Mike Noonen. “These funds from our existing investor IAG Capital Partners and new investor Samsung Ventures will help Swave accelerate the commercialisation and application of our novel holographic display technology at the heart of next-generation spatial computing platforms.”
Founded in 2022 as a spin-out from Imec, Swave uses CMOS chip technology for manufacturing. The company is developing chipsets for “reality-first” spatial computing powered by AI. Its Holographic eXtended Reality (HXR) display technology is claimed to be the first to achieve true holography by sculpting lightwaves into natural, high-resolution images.
Swave’s proprietary platform allows compact form factors with a natural viewing experience.
Its HXR technology employs diffractive photonics on CMOS chip-based tech to create the “world’s smallest pixel,” sculpting high-quality 3D images. This eliminates the need for a waveguide, enabling 3D visualisation and interaction, positioning Swave to transform spatial computing across multiple display formats.
In January 2025, Swave announced a €27 million Series A funding round (as covered by EU-Startups), which followed a €10 million Seed round in 2023. The new capital will support continued HXR technology development and ramp up Swave’s go-to-market activities.
Swave points out that current AR prototypes and commercial devices face challenges such as high cost, uncomfortable size and weight, significant power usage, and visual issues like Vergence-Accommodation Conflict, which can cause user nausea or fatigue.
According to Swave, its HXR tech not only addresses these issues but also removes the need for the most expensive components, such as waveguides or varifocal lenses, that current AR devices rely on.
The company has also appointed Derek Jensen as CFO and Head of Corporate Development.
Jensen brings deep experience in financial operations, corporate development, and key tech verticals like AR, smart devices, and semiconductors. He previously served as CFO of SK Growth Opportunities Corp., acting as a board member and leading a multi-billion-dollar merger that enabled a new NASDAQ listing.
“Swave is building breakthrough technology that will accelerate the adoption of smartglasses and other emerging spatial computing form factors,” said Jensen. “I’m proud to join a team that’s pushing the boundaries of what semiconductor, holographic and AI technologies can do to deliver more reality-first user experiences.”
Noonen added, “Derek’s invaluable expertise in finance, technology, and operational rigor arrives at a pivotal moment for Swave. His leadership will be a driving force in helping us maximise our opportunity in this new era of spatial and AI computing.”
About Swave Photonics
Swave Photonics is a Leuven-based technology company pioneering true holographic display solutions for next-generation spatial computing and augmented reality (AR) applications. Founded in 2022 as a spin-out from Imec, Swave develops proprietary Holographic eXtended Reality (HXR) display technology that uses advanced diffractive photonics on CMOS chipsets. This breakthrough enables high-resolution, reality-first 3D visualisation without waveguides or varifocal lenses, solving key challenges such as cost, size, power consumption, and user comfort in AR devices. Supported by investors including IAG Capital Partners and Samsung Ventures, Swave Photonics aims to drive the widespread adoption of spatial computing and smartglasses through innovation in holography, semiconductor engineering, and artificial intelligence.
More info here– Submit a story to “the Editor” here
Featured image credit: CTOL Digital
Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, we do not make any representations or warranties, express or implied, regarding the completeness, reliability, or validity of the content. This article does not make any direct claims about specific companies, individuals, or organizations. Any references to reports or external sources are for context and do not imply endorsement or verification of any specific allegations. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and seek professional advice before making business decisions. We disclaim any liability for any losses or damages incurred as a result of reliance on the information provided.