Samsung NEXT Ventures is an investment arm of Samsung NEXT, a multifaceted innovation group within Samsung Electronics dedicated to identifying new growth opportunities that will define the next decade. The firm prefers to invest in artificial intelligence, fintech, blockchain, health technology, infrastructure, and media technology sectors.

Samsung NEXT

First Round is a seed-stage venture firm focused on building a vibrant community of technology entrepreneurs and companies, including Uber, Square, and Warby Parker. Through custom-built software, incredible in-person experiences, and a host of other unique services, First Round helps tiny companies get big while constantly reimagining the role of venture capital. It offers a growing number of services and products to help founders build companies from scratch. First Round has adopted the Diversity Term Sheet Rider.

First Round Capital

The Westly Group focuses on the digitization and sustainability of energy, mobility, buildings, industrial tech, and cybersecurity.

The Westly Group

Continental AG is an automotive supplier. Continental develops intelligent technologies, products and services for transporting people and their goods.

Continental

Continental ITS develops networking and automation equipment for vehicles.

Continental Automotive World

Cox Automotive is transforming the way the world buys, sells and owns cars with industry-leading digital marketing, software, financial, wholesale and e-commerce solutions for consumers, dealers, manufacturers and the overall automotive ecosystem worldwide. Committed to open choice and dedicated to strong partnerships, the Cox Automotive family includes Autotrader®, Dealer.com®, Dealertrack®, Kelley Blue Book®, Manheim®, NextGear Capital®, vAuto®, Xtime® and a host of other brands. The global company has 33,000 team members in more than 200 locations and is partner to more than 40,000 auto dealers, as well as most major automobile manufacturers, while engaging U.S. consumer car buyers with the most recognized media brands in the industry. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises Inc., an Atlanta-based company with revenues of $18 billion and approximately 60,000 employees. Cox Enterprises’ other major operating subsidiaries include Cox Communications and Cox Media Group.

Cox Automotive

E.ON is an international energy company that focuses on innovative customer solutions, renewable energy, and intelligent energy networks. The diversified business consists of renewables, conventional and decentralized power generation, natural gas, energy trading, retail, and distribution. They supply around 26 million customers with energy. With their broad energy mix, they own almost 68 GW generation capacity and they are one of the world's leading renewables companies. They have an ambitious objective to make energy cleaner and better wherever they operate. With their strategy cleaner & better energy, we're transforming E.ON into a global provider of specialized energy solutions which will benefit their employees, customers, and investors alike. The development of technologies and regulatory boundary conditions, as well as the changes in customer behavior, are main drivers for a sustainable transformation of the energy system. It is still unclear how the future energy system might look like, but E.ON assumes the following trends: Changes in power generation - increasing additions in renewable capacity, decrease in generation and increase in flexibility for conventional power plants. ''Decarbonization'' of heating and transport - operation of electrical components which are supplied by increasingly CO2 free generated electricity (e-vehicles, heat pumps) Decoupling of generation and consumption - the consumption of electricity will be synchronized with generation to some extent via storage and demand side management. Distributed energy - the share of distributed generation will grow, e.g. photovoltaics, micro CHP (combined heat and power), which can even serve as reserve margin in times of low renewable electricity production. Integrated infrastructure - an integrated infrastructure for information and communication will be the backbone of such a distributed energy system and links together the various components in residential areas, offices, and industry. E.ON was founded on June 16, 2000, and is headquartered in Essen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany.

E.ON

Hersh Family Investments exists to enhance the financial, civic and philanthropic interests of the Kenneth A. Hersh family. Through Hersh Investment Partners, NLM Capital Partners, and a number of related entities, HFI invests the family’s capital in businesses with exceptional management teams and the potential to create substantial long-term value. HFI differs from a typical investment firm by managing its own capital without the restrictions often found with institutional private equity funds. They provide an attractive alternative to companies and executive teams in search of committed partners who want the flexibility to take a long-term value oriented perspective to build great companies over time.

Hersh Family Investments

Vinli

Vinli is an automotive technology company that builds data intelligence solutions and services for the connected world. In just three years, the team has built the most advanced vehicle data computing platform, grown into the largest app ecosystem for the car, and secured global partnerships with significant players in the telecom and automotive industry. Vinli’s fully customizable platform has enabled sophisticated brands to easily engineer connected car services and capitalize on its vehicle data. The company finds the meaningful connections and correlations between data posts and increases the opportunity for monetization across the automotive value chain by consuming and normalizing behavioral, diagnostic, and contextual data with its proprietary cloud-based data intelligence system. It also provides customized application solutions that keep the automotive-based software competitive and relevant. Through finding and highlighting those hidden data relationships, it creates customized mobility solutions our partners can market and monetize through white-label offerings. Vinli was established in 2014 and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, USA.

Vinli provides a machine learning vehicle data platform for connected cars and electric vehicles globally. Its product portfolio includes fleet services that provide vehicle tracking, fleet performance results, maintenance monitoring, driver and trip insights, etc. for fleet managers; insurance services capable of predictive risk assessment, providing accident data, crash reporting, incident management etc.; and intelligence services to optimize profitability. These services are powered by its “ERA Platform” that can generate insights from vehicle data. The company pitches its products toward fleet services, OEMs, and aftermarkets.

Autonomous and connected technologies shaping the future of the auto industry

Auto Tech

Vinli Welcomes Kevin Moore As EVP of Sales

<div>
 
 Vinli provides a machine learning vehicle data platform for connected cars and electric vehicles globally. Its product portfolio includes fleet services that provide vehicle tracking, fleet performance results, maintenance monitoring, driver and trip insights, etc. for fleet managers; insurance services capable of predictive risk assessment, providing accident data, crash reporting, incident management etc.; and intelligence services to optimize profitability. These services are powered by its &ldquo;ERA Platform&rdquo; that can generate insights from vehicle data. The company pitches its products toward fleet services, OEMs, and aftermarkets.
 &nbsp;
 
 
 
 
 Key customers and partnerships
 
 
 
 
 In September 2016, the company partnered with telecommunications service provider T-Mobile to bring connected car capabilities Meineke Car Care and Cox Automotive. As of September 2021, Vinli also had partnerships with technology and automotive companies such as Samsung and ALD Automotive.
 
 
 
</div>

Vinli provides a machine learning vehicle data platform for connected cars and electric vehicles globally. Its product portfolio includes fleet services that provide vehicle tracking, fleet performance results, maintenance monitoring, driver and trip insights, etc. for fleet managers; insurance services capable of predictive risk assessment, providing accident data, crash reporting, incident management etc.; and intelligence services to optimize profitability. These services are powered by its “ERA Platform” that can generate insights from vehicle data. The company pitches its products toward fleet services, OEMs, and aftermarkets. Key customers and partnerships In September 2016, the company partnered with telecommunications service provider T-Mobile to bring connected car capabilities Meineke Car Care and Cox Automotive. As of September 2021, Vinli also had partnerships with technology and automotive companies such as Samsung and ALD Automotive.

<div>
 
 Aeva develops next-generation sensing and perception systems including 4D LiDAR-on-chip for autonomous vehicles and robotics. Its LiDAR sensors dubbed &ldquo;Aeries II&rdquo; are equipped with unique frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) 4D technology for high sensing capabilities and use a continuous laser. It can sense objects 500 meters away over a field of view (FoV) of 120 x 30 degrees. Aries II is powered by the company&rsquo;s proprietary 4D Perception software. Aeries II is reportedly the world&rsquo;s first LiDAR-on-chip silicon photonics design.&nbsp;
 
 
 
 
 The company launched Aeva Atlas, an automotive-grade 4D LiDAR sensor, 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/25293">
 in January 2024.
 </a>
 It can sense objects 500 meters away over a field of FoV of 120 x 30 degrees. The company claims that Atlas is the first automotive-grade 4D LiDAR sensor for mass production in automotive applications. Atlas is powered by Aeva&rsquo;s proprietary Digital Signal Processing Software. The company claims the unit is 70% smaller and 4x more energy-efficient than the company&rsquo;s previous lidar solutions.
 
 
 
 
 Aeva sources product components from third-party vendors and assembles the final product in its assembly facility in San Francisco, California. However, since September 2021, the company has gradually shifted to a manufacturing model that solely relies on local and foreign third-party suppliers for both manufacturing and assembly. The company began shipping its LiDAR systems to strategic customers in mid-2022 and reported shipping 40+ units to customers by 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/17245">
 December 2022
 </a>
 .
 
 
 
 
 Key customers and partnerships
 
 
 The company has entered into product collaborations with partners including automotive component manufacturers ZF Group (September 2020), Denso (January 2021), and Fabrinet (November 2021) to develop LiDAR systems for vehicles and Nikon to develop sensors for robotic factory production lines (August 2021).&nbsp;
 
 
 
 
 Avea has high-volume production deals with autonomous shuttle services provider May Mobility 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/23631">
 (November 2023)
 </a>
 and an unnamed global automotive OEM 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/25168">
 (January 2024).
 </a>
 
 
 
 
 Funding and financials
 
 
 Aeva generated revenue of USD 4.3 million and reported a non-GAAP operating loss of USD 124.1 million in the year ended December 2023. The company has been listed on NYSE since March 2021, via a merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), which valued the combined entity at USD 2.1 billion (November 2020).
 
 
 
 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/23632">
 In November 2023,
 </a>
 the company raised USD 145 million via a combined private investment and preferred facility deal from existing long-term stockholders. The company intended to utilize the funds to enhance its standing with OEMs, and improve its ability to support various high-volume production programs, potentially increasing its prospects for securing additional contracts.
 
 
 
</div>

Aeva

Israel-based Innoviz Technologies develops LiDAR sensors and perception software specifically catering to autonomous vehicles. Its LiDAR product portfolio includes 1) “InnovizOne,” a solid-state LiDAR sensor specifically designed for autonomous vehicles with a detection range of up to 250 m and field of view (FoV) of 115 x 25 degrees; 2) “InnovizTwo,” a next-gen automotive-grade LiDAR sensor with a detection range of up to 300 m and FoV of 120 x 40 degrees; and 3) “Innoviz360,” a 360-degree LiDAR sensor with a detection range up to 300 m and pitched toward automotive and non-automotive applications.&nbsp;The company’s target market spans across the US, Europe, and Asia, and it had an order book worth USD 6.9 billion <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/14444">as of September 2022. </a>As of February 2024, Innoviz Technologies had 18 of Innoviz’s products protected by US patents.&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/26155">In January 2024, </a>Innoviz released a strategic realignment plan for its operations from Q1 2024, which included a reduction of its workforce by ~13% (about 60 employees) to lower expenses and enhance its financial longevity. This was to mainly consolidate expenditures by transitioning the InnovizOne program to series production and focusing on the InnovizTwo sensor and software suite.Key customers and partnershipsInnoviz Technologies has entered product collaborations with partners including Curium, a developer of automated calibration services for autonomous systems (August 2021); Ansys, a provider of simulation software (January 2022); Visionary.ai, a developer of software-based image signal processor technology (June 2022); Japan-based software company Kudan&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/14117">(October 2022)</a> and Mobileye (<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/37124">December 2024</a>) to obtain technology to be integrated with its LiDAR solutions.The company secured 15 pre-production orders and four series production customers as of September 2023. Its customers include Twinner, Whale Dynamics, Syracuse, BMW, <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/12378">Volkswagen, </a>and Delphi Automotive—of which BMW and Volkswagen were among the series production customers.&nbsp;Innoviz Technologies generated revenue of USD 20.9 million and reported an operating loss of USD 132.6 million during the year ended December 2023. The company has been listed on the Nasdaq since April 2021 via a merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), which valued the combined entity at USD 1.4 billion (December 2020).

Innoviz Technologies

<div>
 
 AEye develops artificial intelligence (AI)-powered LiDAR for various applications, including vehicle autonomy, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), and robotic vision. The company&rsquo;s products include &ldquo;4SIGHT,&rdquo; a software-defined, solid-state LiDAR sensor for automotive applications. The company claims that 4SIGHT offers the industry&rsquo;s longest detection range with the ability to identify small obstacles at over 300m and a 128 degree horizontal field of view (FoV). 4SIGHT uses adaptive LiDAR sensors as opposed to traditional sensors that passively collect data. AEye&rsquo;s next gen product 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/24047">
 &ldquo;4IGHT Flex,&rdquo;
 </a>
 is an ultra-compact, high-performance LiDAR for in-cabin autonomy and safety features. It comes with a 120 x 30-degree FoV, high resolution, and a detection range of up to 275 meters. The company 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/14502">
 launched a new 4Sight product line
 </a>
 in November 2022, which it claims was built on a high-performance adaptive LiDAR platform. In 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates?industryIds=70">
 March 2024
 </a>
 , AEye announced the launch of Apollo, the first product in the 4Sight Flex Lidar series. As of July 2023, AEye held 120 patents for its technology solutions.
 
 
 
 
 The company&rsquo;s business model also involves licensing software sensing platforms to automotive partners and outright sale of software-configured hardware products in partnership with system integrators in industrial markets.
 
 
 
 
 Key customers and partnerships
 
 
 The company began has been producing and supplying its sensors since late 2021, in partnership with electronic solutions provider LITEON Technology Corporation 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/29284">
 (May 2024),
 </a>
 electronics manufacturer Sanmina Corporation (July 2021), German automotive parts manufacturer Continental (October 2020), simulation software provider Ansys (January 2020), and other system integrators. Its customers include Nvidia (July 2020), Continental (August 2021), and autonomous trucking company TuSimple (July 2021).
 
 
 Funding and financials
 
 
 AEye generated revenue of USD 1.5 million and reported an operating loss of USD 87.8 million during the year ended December 2023. The company has been listed on Nasdaq since August 2021, via a merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), which valued the combined entity at USD 1.52 billion (May 2021).
 
 
 
</div>

AEye

LeddarTech is a Canadian company offering environmental sensing and perception solutions for advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving solutions. The company’s main product offering “LeddarVision,” includes four scalable raw-data sensor fusion and perception platforms for Level 2/2+ ADAS applications (i.e., Level 2 refers to vehicles that can control both the speed and the steering, but the driver must maintain full vigilance). LeddarTech also offered LiDAR hardware components for LiDAR manufacturers, system integrators, and Tier 1–2 suppliers. However,&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/14304">in November 2022,</a> the company announced plans to move away from its LiDAR hardware component business and focus on software development going forward. As of February 2024, LedderTech had 150+ patents (granted or applied).&nbsp;LeddarTech acquired VayaVision (sensor fusion and perception software company) in July 2020 and Phantom Intelligence (signal processing and LiDAR technology company) in September 2020 to complement its operations.&nbsp;LeddarTech became a publicly traded company via a merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) in&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/25036">December 2023.</a> The company generated revenue of USD 7.4 million and an operating loss of USD 52.5 million in 2023.Key customers and partnershipsThe company has partnerships with technology companies such as&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/27813">Renesas Electronics,</a> STMicroelectronics, Flex, dSPACE, Ningbo Sunny Optical, Black Sesame Technologies,&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/27574">Arm Technologies,</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/29173">Immervision</a> for the joint development and delivery of LiDAR solutions.In&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/37030">December 2024</a>, LeddarTech partnered with Texas Instruments (TI) to develop integrated solutions for ADAS and autonomous driving (AD) markets.

LeddarTech

<div>
 
 Seyond (formerly known as Innovusion) offers image-quality long-range LiDAR solutions for the automotive and other industries. Its product portfolio includes 1) &ldquo;Falcon,&rdquo; a LiDAR sensor specifically designed for the automotive industry, with a detection range of up to 500 meters and field of view (FoV) of 120 x 25 degrees; 2) &ldquo;OmniVidi,&rdquo; a perception service software platform, powered by a proprietary single-laser Forward SightNet and multi-laser fusion perception lightweight model; and 3) &ldquo;Robin,&rdquo; a short- to medium-range LiDAR sensor, with a detection range of up to 250 meters and FoV of 120 x 24 degrees.&nbsp;
 
 
 
 
 The company, headquartered in Silicon Valley, California, also has operations in China and Germany. As of November 2023, the company had an annual production capacity exceeding 300,000 units at its facility in China, and had plans to commence mass production by December 2023. In November 2023, the company reported delivering 200,000 automotive-grade LiDAR to customers.
 
 
 
 
 Key customers and partnerships
 
 
 
 
 Seyond primarily targets China and has entered several partnerships in the region. This includes a strategic partnership with Chinese EV maker NIO to supply LiDAR sensors for NIO&rsquo;s vehicles and a partnership with Chinese self-driving tech startup Mogo Auto (January 2022) to promote the adoption and commercial use of LiDAR for autonomous vehicles. The company reportedly delivered 56,000 LiDAR sensors to NIO in 2022.&nbsp;
 
 
 
 
 Meanwhile, the company also has a partnership with Joynext, the smart vehicle arm of Chinese auto component manufacturer, Joyson Electronics, for mass production of LiDAR sensors. It also entered a product partnership with 3D spatial intelligence software solutions specialist Outsight 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/24507">
 in November 2023
 </a>
 to combine Outsight's software technology with Seyond's products for enhanced 3D perception capabilities.
 
 
 
 
 Funding and financials
 
 
 In January 2022, Seyond raised USD 118 million in a Series C funding round led by Hermitage Capital at a pre-money valuation of USD 1.1 billion. The company intended to use the funds to enhance production capabilities, expand global reach, increase headcount, and for further research and development (R&amp;D).
 
 
 
</div>

Seyond

Companies developing LiDAR and other sensors for autonomous passenger vehicles and to improve driver safety

Providers of software such as collision avoidance alerts, blind spot detection, automatic braking, and other advanced driver assistance systems

Companies developing self-driving technology for autonomous passenger vehicles including cars, buses, and shuttles

Companies providing software solutions for managing devices, and integrating external and internal systems for vehicles using internet connectivity

Companies offering vehicle data capturing, analyzing, tracking, and mapping solutions

Companies providing in-vehicle infotainment products such as audio equipment and other electronic systems

Companies providing cybersecurity solutions for IoT-enabled vehicle devices

Connected vehicles and related services like infotainment and cybersecurity use IoT applications

Some companies use AI/ML tech for autonomous navigation

Autonomous vehicles facilitate efficient and greener transportation, contributing to creating smart cities

Automotive companies utilize GenAI solutions to enhance in-vehicle user experiences—mainly conversational AI technologies

Autonomous cars promote sustainable operations

Vinli

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