Venture Kick, a private philanthropic initiative, provides as much 150,000 Swiss francs in pre-seed funding to Swiss startups and offers structured, entrepreneurial training to build robust, winning businesses. Entrepreneurs pitch for finance as many as three times, as they compete for increasing amounts of funding at each stage. Founders gain direct feedback from the expert juries and access to an international network of successful entrepreneurs and investors. Venture Kick has supported 600 Swiss startup projects with 24.9 million francs to date. Supported projects have incorporated as 454 active companies, creating 6,033 jobs, and attracting 2.49 billion francs worth of subsequent investment. Companies founded by Venture Kick alums represented 55 percent of the TOP 100 Swiss Startup Award 2018.  In 2019 Venture Kick will support idea-stage startup projects with 4.35 million francs, to bring Swiss science to global markets.

Venture Kick

Atomico is an international investment firm that focuses on helping disruptive technology companies scale globally. It partners with technology founders at the Seed stage and beyond with a particular focus on Europe, leveraging deep operational experience to supercharge their growth. The company's team of founders, investors, and operational leaders have been responsible for global expansion, hiring, and marketing at companies from Skype, Google, and Twitter to Wise and Snowflake. It specializes in seed, startup, Series A, early venture, mid venture, late venture, emerging growth, and growth capital investments.   Atomico was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in London, England, with offices in Paris, Berlin, and Stockholm

Atomico

NGP Capital is a global thesis-driven, early-stage VC with a vision to unleash the magic of technology.  With an AUM of 1.6B, NGP invests in B2B companies from Series A onwards in Europe and the US in enterprise software, industrial tech, cybersecurity, and infrastructure. For nearly two decades, NGP Capital has invested in more than 100 companies of which 18 are unicorns and 11 went on to IPO.

NGP Capital

GV supports innovative founders moving the world forward. We invest across the life sciences, consumer, enterprise, crypto, climate, and frontier technology sectors. With Alphabet as a sole limited partner, GV operates on long time horizons and deals in decades, not rounds. Our operating partners support startups at the earliest stages of company-building across design, equity, diversity & inclusion, talent, and engineering. We also help startups interface with Google, providing unique access to the world's best technology and talent. Launched as Google Ventures in 2009, GV has over $8 billion in assets under management and 400 active portfolio companies across North America and Europe. Notable investment outcomes include Uber, Nest, Slack, GitLab, Duo Security, Flatiron Health, Verve Therapeutics, and One Medical. GV is headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, with offices in Cambridge, New York, and London.

Google Ventures

G2VP invests in emerging technology companies that digitize traditional industries and drive market transformations. Tapping into global industries from transportation, energy and agriculture to manufacturing, and logistics, G2VP was founded around a multi-trillion-dollar trend: the digitization of industry. As this trend takes root, and industries worldwide transition from traditional analog to digital processes, G2VP sees tremendous opportunity for value creation, economic growth, and sector disruption. By aligning companies, purpose and profit, the company aims to unlock previously unidentified paths to sustainability and resource efficiency.

G2 Venture Partners

Kreos Capital is Europe's largest and leading provider of growth debt to high-growth companies with revenues up to €150 million. Since 1998, as the pioneer growth debt provider across the UK, Western Europe, Scandinavia and Israel: Kreos has completed nearly 450 transactions and committed €1.8 billion in 14 different countries. Kreos has a proven track record of adding value to portfolio companies and helping them to grow with additional capital and flexibility throughout their business cycle whilst working closely with both the portfolio company management team and their equity sponsors.  The Kreos global team has extensive debt financing, management and equity investing experience, covering the pan-European market from its locations in London, Tel Aviv and Stockholm.  Kreos is a value added partner, able to offer additional capital and more flexibility with lower equity dilution. Kreos's international team has extensive entrepreneurial, debt financing and equity investing experience, covering all local European markets from its locations in London, Tel Aviv and Stockholm.

Kreos Capital

Swisscom Ventures is an venture capital arm of Swisscom AG, that specializes in early stage tech investments founded in 2007. Swisscom Ventures invests in growth companies with emerging business models and technologies of strategic relevance to Swisscom's core business. As a value-add investor, Swisscom brings its investees the technical expertise and strategic insights of an incumbent telecom operator. We act as a bridge to Swisscom's operational business units, which portfolio companies can also leverage as a test environment for their products and services. Swisscom Ventures seeks minority stakes in companies related to the information/communications/entertainment space.

Swisscom Ventures

Salesforce Ventures helps enterprising founders build companies that reinvent the way the world works. Since 2009, they’ve invested in and partnered with more than 400 of the world's tenacious enterprise software companies from seed to IPO, including Airtable, Databricks, DocuSign, Guild Education, Hopin, Monday.com, nCino, Snowflake, Snyk, Stripe, Tanium, and Zoom. Salesforce Ventures leverages decades of expertise in the cloud and long-term relationships with key decision-makers at thousands of businesses around the world to give portfolio companies an unfair advantage, help them build credibility, and accelerate growth.

Salesforce Ventures

Forestay Capital is dedicated to investing in the tech sector and reflects Waypoint’s focus on innovative, forward-looking industries in which it can leverage its entrepreneurial heritage and long-track record in helping businesses to realize their ambitions for growth. It is passionate about technologies that transform conventional models with software and data to make an impact on business, practices, and people. It invests in revenue-generating technology companies in Europe, Israel, and in the US, and favors software and data-driven businesses that challenge established models. Forestay Capital was founded in 2017 and is headquartered in Geneve, Switzerland.

Forestay Capital

Warburg Pincus LLC is a leading global private equity firm focused on growth investing. The firm has more than $60 billion in private equity assets under management. The firm’s active portfolio of more than 200 companies is highly diversified by stage, sector, and geography. Warburg Pincus is an experienced partner to management teams seeking to build durable companies with sustainable value. Founded in 1966, Warburg Pincus has raised 19 private equity funds, which have invested more than $90 billion in over 930 companies in more than 40 countries.  The firm is headquartered in New York with offices in Amsterdam, Beijing, Berlin, Hong Kong, Houston, London, Luxembourg, Mumbai, Mauritius, San Francisco, São Paulo, Shanghai, and Singapore. For more information please visit www.warburgpincus.com.

Warburg Pincus

Schneider Electric provides digital transformation in energy management and automation. Their digital transformation by integrating processes, energy technologies, connecting products, controls, and software services. Their products include low-voltage products, systems, grid automation, building automation, energy storage, cooling, and racks.

Schneider Electric

Sony Innovation Fund is the corporate venture capital arm of Sony that invests and engages in early-stage companies. Beyond investment, our mission is to provide resources such as access to the broader Sony world and its global network, as well as collaborate with startups to:  • Foster business creation in related lines of business and new areas of interest to Sony  • Catalyze a talented and passionate team  Sony innovation Fund was founded in 2016.

Sony Innovation Fund

The “Hammer Team” is the investment vehicle of Ariel Luedi. The mission is to support software companies during their startup and growth phase. Hammer Team provides its companies with venture capital but also with expertise in different areas required to grow a company (Sales Ops, Product Management, Customer Success, Finance, Marketing, Legal, Tax or Branding). Ariel and his team have created a platform for those companies to communicate openly, leverage synergies and find new ways of solving challenges.

Hammer Team

Scandit

Scandit is a technology platform for mobile computer vision and augmented reality (AR) solutions for enterprises. The company software brings unrivaled scanning performance to any app on any camera-equipped smart device, from smartphones to wearables to drones and robots - to read barcodes, recognize text and objects, and display real-time information as AR overlays. It helps consumers and employees find things on store shelves with their smartphones, and as things become more contactless. Organizations in retail, transport, logistics, and manufacturing use Scandit to power apps such as mobile shopping, self-checkout, inventory management, proof of delivery, and asset tracking. Use cases in healthcare include tracking patients, medication, specimens, and supplies. Scandit solutions take cost and time out of operations and improve employee and customer satisfaction. Clients include 7-Eleven, Alaska Airlines, Carrefour, Hermes, Johns Hopkins Hospital, La Poste, Levi Strauss & Co, Mount Sinai Hospital, Sephora, and Toyota.

<div>Switzerland-based Scandit offers an app that can scan product barcodes. Its technology is equipped with mobile computer vision coupled with augmented reality (AR) solutions. Scandit&rsquo;s data-capturing engine can be installed to any device with a camera, including smartphones, drones, robots, and smart glasses. This app is mainly used by retailers for cashierless checkouts, allowing shoppers to scan a product&rsquo;s barcode and pay via a mobile app.&nbsp;</div>

Providing a seamless consumer experience is one hope for bringing back brick and mortar retail, automated stores are being built to do just that.

Automated Stores

Scandit, a Switzerland-based company, provides data capture solutions for various industries. The company launched MatrixScan Find in <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/20156">July 2023 </a>, an AR overlay tool for smart devices that assists both retail employees and customers in finding items on shelves. This tool is part of the Smart Data Capture platform, which allows users to capture inventory data using smart devices. It features a pre-existing user interface that incorporates AR functionalities into native apps.

Technologies bringing about a new reality

Extended Reality

Warburg Pincus takes stake in Swiss tech firm Scandit in unicorn hunt

<div>
 
 Switzerland-based Scandit offers an app that can scan product barcodes. Its technology is equipped with mobile computer vision coupled with augmented reality (AR) solutions. Scandit&rsquo;s data-capturing engine can be installed to any device with a camera, including smartphones, drones, robots, and smart glasses. This app is mainly used by retailers for cashierless checkouts, allowing shoppers to scan a product&rsquo;s barcode and pay via a mobile app.&nbsp;
 
 
 Scandit also offers a shelf management software named &ldquo;ShelfView,&rdquo; which can be installed to mobile devices or integrated into autonomous floor scrubber robots. ShelfView enables shelf data capturing via barcode scanning, and generates AI-based retail shelf analytics and real-time, store-level insights via dashboards on smart devices. Scandit also enables ID scanning and provides an automated ID verification feature that can be integrated into retailer workflows.
 
 
 Scandit operates across several core verticals besides retail, including transportation and logistics, healthcare, and manufacturing. As of March 2024, it held over 35 patents across more than 20 countries&nbsp; The company has offices in Europe, US, Japan, and Singapore.
 
 
 Key customers and partnerships
 
 
 As of March 2024, Scandit&rsquo;s customer portfolio included over 2,000 customers, including Sephora, 7-Eleven, Instacart, Alaska Airlines, Carrefour, DPD, FedEx, Johns Hopkins Hospital, La Poste, Levi Strauss &amp; Co, Mount Sinai Hospital, and Toyota.&nbsp;
 
 
 Scandit partnered with retail technology company Brain Corporation to integrate ShelfView inventory scanner technology with Brain Corporation&rsquo;s BrainOS AI platform for autonomous floor scrubbers.&nbsp;
 
 
 Funding and financials
 
 
 In February 2022, Scandit raised USD 150 million in a Series D funding round led by Warburg Pincus, garnering a valuation of over USD 1 billion. The company planned to use the funding to expand its global team and geographic footprint, with a focus on the APAC region, specifically, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea. The investment will also support the company&rsquo;s R&amp;D efforts in AI/ML and autonomous data capture towards better decision-making and more effective core business processes.
 
</div>

<div>
 
 Grabango provides computer vision-powered, grab-and-go-styled fully automated checkout solutions for retailers. Grabango utilizes in-store overhead rails powered by machine-learning algorithms to detect items picked up by customers. The customers can pick up items in the store and complete their purchase by scanning a code generated in the Grabango mobile app.&nbsp;
 
 
 The technology can be deployed locally and on the cloud. Grabango is designed for stores with more than 100,000 sq ft of floor space. The company claims its solution can recognize objects at an accuracy rate of 99.9% and as of 2020 holds over 30 patents for its technology. Grabango&rsquo;s technology does not use facial recognition.&nbsp;
 
 
 Key customers and partnerships
 
 
 Grabango has deployed its solutions in the US in partnership with as 1) Giant Eagle supermarket to launch five stores (September 2020, expanded in 2021); 2) Circle K for six stores(November 2021); 3) bp to retrofit 10 stores, including ampm stations and Amoco locations (December 2021); 4) MAPCO to launch two stores (February 2022); and 5) Aldi for one store (
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/26268">
 February 2024
 </a>
 ). The company also has partnerships with retailers 7-Eleven to launch 10 stores in Australia (August 2023) and Copec for 100 stores across South America (December 2023).
 
 
 Funding and financials
 
 
 Grabango raised USD 39 million in a Series B funding round in June 2021 led by Commerce Ventures to support the company&rsquo;s expansion plans.&nbsp;
 
</div>

Grabango

Zippin offers computer vision-powered grab-and-go checkout solutions for retailers. Zippin uses overhead cameras and shelf sensors along with computer vision algorithms to track items picked up by customers. The customers can use Zippin’s mobile app to enter the store, pick up their purchases, and exit the stores to complete the transaction. Zippin claims the combination of cameras and weight sensors provides a more accurate sensor fusion algorithm compared to a purely camera-based solution.Zippin does not use biometrics to identify consumers and only uses overhead cameras to map out customer movements. Zippin’s solutions are priced based on the square footage of the stores.The company also offers the Zippin Crew app, a mobile app that can be used to scan and locate inventory in-store. It provides retailers with inventory insights, such as planogram data, stock availability data, and out-of-stock alerts. Zippin Retailer Dashboard is a store analytics solution that provides insights on real-time shopping activity, planogram compliance, out-of-stocks, and shopper behavior.In 2022, the company launched Zippin Lane, a checkout-free solution suitable for high-traffic locations like sport arenas, airports, train stations, and busy college campuses. Zippin lanes are designed to fit into long and narrow areas with store sizes starting at 240 sq ft. As of September 2022, the Zippin had deployed over 20 Zippin lanes, including nine locations at NFL venues.Key customers and partnershipsAs of February 2023, Zippin had deployed its technology at 90 store locations (after opening its first demo store in 2019). Zippin’s technology powers supermarkets and convenience stores such as Lojas Americanas (August 2019) in Brazil and Azbuka Vkusa (May 2020) in Russia. As of September 2023 Zippin had 71 checkout free stores at sports venues and stadiums in the US including 1) Golden 1 Center arena (September 2019), 2) Mile High Stadium in Denver (November 2020), 3) Barclays Center (in partnership with American Express; June 2021), 4) Houston's NRG Stadium (in partnership with Aramark; March 2022); and 5) Gainbridge Fieldhouse (October 2022). In 2023, Zippin opened checkout-free stores at multiple NFL stadiums. Zippin also opened a checkout-free store in partnership with the Dallas-based restaurant and entertainment business, Dave &amp; Buster’s (July 2022). In December 2021, the company announced the launch of its first airport store in partnership with JFKIAT, the operator of Terminal 4 at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), and SSP America, an airport foodservice operator. In May 2024, Zippin partnered with the food service company <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/29719">Aramark</a> to introduce a frictionless and cashierless store at a theme park in the UK.The Japan-based systems integrator Fujitsu serves as Zippin’s exclusive distributor in Japan (December 2020). Under the partnership, Fujitsu has the authority to deploy Zippin’s technology integrated with Fujitsu’s biometric authentication technology. The two companies initially piloted an automated store at a Lawson convenience store chain in Japan (February 2020). In November 2022, the companies extended the partnership to support UK and Europe deployments.Funding and financialsIn September 2021, Zippin raised USD 30 million in a Series B funding round, to invest in its expansion plan and accelerate innovation specifically with regards to deployment and maintenance.

Zippin

<div>
 
 A vision technology company, AWM (Adroit Worldwide Media) Smart Shelf offers an array of retail solutions. The company&rsquo;s main cashierless checkout solution is called AWM Frictionless, a collaborative solution offered in partnership with Microsoft Azure, and uses several of AWM&rsquo;s product offerings to create an enhanced shopping experience.&nbsp;
 
 
 As shoppers arrive, they launch their mobile app to check in, where the AWM Frictionless platform notes their presence. As shoppers move, cameras track them, and their identity is further validated by facial-matching software. Product selection is then tracked through AWM&rsquo;s Automated Inventory Intelligence solution, which uses a series of super-wide-angle low-light HD cameras and AWM&rsquo;s LED Fascia technology (a type of automated shelving technology). Machine learning tracks shopper purchases and makes shopping list recommendations during subsequent visits. Once shopping is done, shoppers simply exit the store and are automatically charged in their online accounts.&nbsp;
 
 
 Key customers and partnerships
 
 
 The company&rsquo;s partnerships go beyond the retail sector. In January 2020, AWM partnered with OptiCrib to offer friction-free inventory management in the industrial and commercial supply space. Meanwhile, AWM&rsquo;s retail partnerships include Albertsons, Aramark, Coop, Diageo, The Home Depot, Greenpicks Market, and 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/25770">
 Choice Markets
 </a>
 .
 
</div>

AWM Smart Shelf

<div>
 
 AiFi offers a grab-and-go checkout solution powered by computer vision and AI. Its solution enables a customer to enter a store using a mobile app, pick up the items required, and exit the store to complete the purchase. The solution also generates statistics and insights on customer behavior. The company claims that its technology can track up to 500 customers while also tracking tens of thousands of items in a store. It also claims a 99% accuracy rate and can be used within a space of up to 10,000 square feet, without using facial recognition technology or storing biometric data.&nbsp;
 
 
 AiFi&rsquo;s flagship platform, &ldquo;Orchestrated Autonomous Store Infrastructure &amp; Services (OASIS)&rdquo; is designed for stores ranging from 200 square feet to 10,000 square feet and allows users to select between a fully autonomous shopping experience or a hybrid model. The stores will have a turnstile, a kiosk or door locks at the entrance, which the customer can interact with to gain access to the store.&nbsp; It also can be integrated with existing payments, inventory management, and electronic shelf labeling systems. The stores operate on a subscription-based model, and the company guarantees 12 months to achieve a return on investment (ROI).
 
 
 AiFi leverages the OASIS platform to offer retail clients the option of deploying an AiFi NanoStore, a custom-designed, fully-automated, container-sized, unmanned, checkout-free store format that can be operated 24/7. The NanoStores come in sizes of 160, 300 and 370 square feet specifications. Company claims that its technology can save around USD 20 per hour of operation.&nbsp;
 
 
 Key customers and partnerships
 
 
 As of February 2023, AiFi&rsquo;s technology was deployed at over 100 stores globally. In January 2022, AiFi launched its largest store, a 6,000 sq ft Aldi location in London. AiFi&rsquo;s key partnerships include Carrefour (November 2018) in the UAE, Zabka (February 2019), Wundermart (February 2021), PostNL (May 2021), Morrisons (July 2021), Aldi (January 2022), Compass Group (December 2021), Kende Gastro (January 2022) in Europe, Loop Neighborhood (January 2020), Choice Market (April 2021), Verizon (May 2021)
 , Acrisure Arena (
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/29120">
 May 2024
 </a>
 ) 
 in the US, and AiGo (December 2020) in China.
 
 
 AiFi also has a partnership with Microsoft (January 2023) to launch a cloud-based analytics service for cashier-less stores. In 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/9389">
 March 2022
 </a>
 AiFi partnered with Sodexo, the French campus food service operator, to bring autonomous grocery stores to campuses across the US.&nbsp;
 
 
 Funding and financials
 
 
 By 2022, AiFi reportedly had revenue growth of 5&ndash;6x YoY. In March 2022, AiFi raised USD 65 million in a Series B funding round led by Canada-based investment management firm Khaira CapitalAiFi. It planned to leverage the new funding to scale partnerships, strengthen its deployment team for faster store rollouts, and invest in product development and feature enhancement.
 
</div>

AiFi

<div>
 
 Eflyn is an Ontario-based developer of interactive digital displays, self-checkout kiosks, and vending machine solutions with operations in Canada and the US. Eflyn&rsquo;s self-checkout kiosk range includes solutions designed for the retail industry, as well as restaurant self-ordering and donation and fundraising kiosks for places of worship and non-profit organizations.&nbsp;
 
 
 Eflyn&rsquo;s self-checkout kiosks and stations for retailers enable customers to scan items using a built-in scanner and complete the purchase process using the interactive screen and an attached debit/credit card machine. Eflyn also offers shopify integrations to its kiosk solutions, enabling retailers to integrate their ecommerce operations with retail. The customers can use an Eflyn kiosk with a shopify integration to browse products in the retailer&rsquo;s ecommerce store, check in-store availability, and place an online order in the event an item is not available in store.
 
 
 Key customers and partnerships
 
 
 In November 2020, Eflyn Shopify Kiosks were made available to all the company&rsquo;s customers after a trial period with select retailers. Since then, Eflyn served customers across various industries, including retail, education, and foodservice, including customers such as Pet Collar Emporium, Lowe's, Toys&ldquo;R&rdquo;Us Canada, and Ryerson University.&nbsp;
 
</div>

Eflyn

Companies providing smart shelves (hardware and software systems, including vision-based systems) and stock tagging systems (including radio frequency identification [RFID]) to track items inside a store

Companies providing shopping carts enhanced with cameras, sensors, and AI to enable automatic checkout

Includes self-checkout kiosks (typically cameras and weight sensors) and mobile app-based scanning solutions (commonly leveraging barcodes and QR codes) that enable users to carry out the checkout process themselves

Companies providing hardware and software solutions (including cameras, sensors, and AI computer vision solutions for stores) to enable customers to completely avoid the checkout process (allowing them to enter a store, pick up an item, and exit the store)

Solutions in the industry are often powered by AI, and ML

Solutions in the industry are often powered by IoT, cloud computing, AI, and ML

Companies in “automated checkout” often use IoT

Scandit, a Switzerland-based company, provides data capture solutions for various industries. The company launched MatrixScan Find in <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/20156">July 2023 </a>, an AR overlay tool for smart devices that assists both retail employees and customers in finding items on shelves. This tool is part of the Smart Data Capture platform, which allows users to capture inventory data using smart devices. It features a pre-existing user interface that incorporates AR functionalities into native apps.MatrixScan Find can locate, track, and decode multiple barcodes simultaneously. It integrates seamlessly with Scandit's barcode scanner application for mobile devices. The product is primarily aimed at individuals involved in retail logistics and delivery but can also be made available to customers through retailer-specific apps. It is compatible with iOS and certain Android devices.Scandit also offers MatrixScan Count, a tool that allows for quick, intuitive, and error-free scanning of multiple barcodes. This product can be used for tasks like goods reception and inventory counting. The built-in interface eliminates the need for extensive development and user testing. The AR overlay provides real-time information and guidance at all stages of the workflow. Its interface is designed to be easily understandable, even for users who are unfamiliar with the technology.The data capture engine of Scandit can be installed on any device that has a camera, such as smartphones, drones, robots, and smart glasses. The primary use of this tool by retailers is for cashierless checkouts, where customers can scan a product's barcode and pay through the app. In addition to self-checkouts, the application also aids in inventory management, delivery confirmation, and asset tracking.Apart from retail, Scandit extends its services to various sectors, including transportation and logistics, healthcare, and manufacturing. It uses its computer vision technology to automate processes, provide insights, and enhance customer engagement and workforce productivity.Key customers and partnershipsAs of March 2024, Scandit’s customer portfolio included over 2,000 customers including 7-Eleven, Alaska Airlines, Carrefour, DPD, and Toyota. As per the company, the app was active in “more than 100 million mobile devices, making billions of scans per year” as of March 2021.Funding and financialsIn February 2022, Scandit raised an oversubscribed Series D funding round of USD 150 million led by Warburg Pincus, garnering a valuation of over USD 1 billion. The company had plans to use the funding to expand its global team and geographic footprint, with a focus on the APAC region— specifically, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea. The investment was to also support the company’s R&amp;D efforts in AI/ML and autonomous data capture toward better decision-making and more effective core business processes.Competitors: None (Scandit’s presence in providing data capture solutions for AR inventory identification is unique.)

Interplay Learning (Interplay) provides on-demand, interactive, and hands-on simulation learning courses for skilled trades, including HVAC, plumbing, electrical, solar, and facilities maintenance, through VR, mobile, and desktop applications. The learning courses also include simulated walkthrough videos where experts lead users through procedure guides methodically, with knowledge testing features and additional learning material such as wiring diagrams, equations, sample system configs, and charts at the end of each lesson. The platform also enables managers to track user progress.The company operates a subscription-based model with monthly packages for individuals (USD 54) and teams (USD 229), alongside a custom plan for larger organizations.Key customers and partnershipsNotable customers include Tesla and Rheem Manufacturing. Interplay’s customer usage rose by 445% YoY in 2020. As of February 2021, the platform had over 2,000 customers and 110,000 users across the US.Funding and financialsIn its last funding round (February 2021), Interplay raised USD 18 million in Series B funding co-led by S3 Ventures and Owl Ventures, the world’s largest venture capital firm focused on education technology. As part of the deal, Managing Director of Owl Ventures, Ian Chiu, joined Interplay’s board. The funds were raised to expand its offering to new markets and to accelerate its vision to combine immersive learning experiences with a human connection.

Interplay Learning

Switzerland-based WayRay develops holographic AR technology and hardware for the automobile sector. Its technology is used in head-up displays (HUDs) that project images into a driver’s field of vision to assist with navigation. Although its initial focus was on developing HUDs that can be purchased and installed in any vehicle, it has since pivoted to producing embedded HUD systems (i.e., hardware built into vehicles). WayRay’s HUDs are considered to provide a wider field of vision and combine data (location and mapping information) with vision data to generate images by projecting a laser beam through a Picture Generating Unit (PGU) onto a Holographic Optical Element (HOE).&nbsp;In <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/18537">May 2023</a>, WayRay announced integration of its AR displays into Tesla Model 3's in Switzerland, with plans to follow shortly afterwards in the US. Previously, in September 2021 the company launched its deep reality system that replaces the traditional car dashboard. In addition, WayRay launched “The Holograktor” dubbed the first “metaverse on wheels”, which can be driven conventionally or using a remote control via a 5G and satellite connection (November 2021).&nbsp;The company’s founder and CEO, Vitaly Ponomarev, identified that its systems are more advanced, backed by more patents, and potentially 20x smaller than comparable devices in the market. WayRay’s HQ in Switzerland also acts as a product design and development hub, while its R&amp;D center and prototyping factory are based in Russia.&nbsp;Key customers and partnershipsThe company is backed by strategic investors such as luxury automaker Porsche, which highlighted the management’s expertise in space engineering, hardware, and software development as key reasons for its investment, Hyundai Motor Co., and Alibaba. It is also notable that these investors, particularly Hyundai, are looking at ways to potentially use WayRay’s technology to offer more services in the future. For instance, Hyundai believed that the technology could be used for smart cities and smart buildings, which are its new areas of interest.WayRay partnered with Karma Automotive, a producer of luxury electric vehicles, in December 2021 to support the implementation of its HUDs into their test fleet. Moreover, it partnered with a leader in designing and manufacturing specialty glass, AGP eGlass, in September 2021 to further proliferate its technology.&nbsp; Funding and financialsIt was reported in April 2021 that the company is considering a public listing at a USD 2 billion valuation via a SPAC, although no further updates on this have been announced as at January 2024.&nbsp;

WayRay

AmazeVR initially focused on developing VR technologies but pivoted to VR concerts in late 2019. The concerts are backed by proprietary 9K cameras and software that automate complex VR concert visual effects that run on more than 100 headsets simultaneously. Users join and hang out with other users as avatars while experiencing VR concerts. It intends to bring VR concerts by major artists to theaters and eventually, homes.AmazeVR rolled out its first commercial VR concert, which will feature 3x Grammy winner Megan Thee Stallion, in 2022. The artist is expected to tour select AMC Theaters across the US. It is also in the final stages of closing deals with its second and third artists. AmazeVR also revealed plans to release weekly content by 2024 in theaters and for at-home viewers.In <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/20145">July 2023</a>, AmazeVR launched its official AmazeVR Concerts app, featuring an exclusive VR concert from Swedish pop star, Zara Larsson. The app is available on major VR app stores, and the exclusive Zara Larsson VR concert can be accessed for a year at a launch price of USD 6.99. AmazeVR also produces and monetizes VR content on a subscription basis.As of August 2023, the company was in the process of producing and releasing mixed reality concerts by overlaying virtual elements onto live, real-world video.Funding and financialsThe company’s most recent funding was in <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/13338">September 2022</a>, when it raised USD 17 million in a Series B funding round led by Mirae Asset Capital. The fresh funds were allocated to expand partnerships with artists, artist management companies, labels, publishers, and agencies.

AmazeVR

Dispelix, based in Finland, designs and manufactures single-layer, full-color waveguide displays, a thin (about 1mm) transparent element that takes in a projected image and relays it to the eye, using a nanophotonics-based approach catering to AR applications (e.g., smart glasses). It uses laser beam scanning technology to render laser-sharp images with a gamut of color palettes, which are displayed using beam-combiner technology. Its patented and proprietary approach includes diffractive surface relief gratings, which are elements used for high-power laser applications, fabricated on high refractive index glass wafers that enhance field-of-view and image quality.The company had a total of more than 40 granted or pending patent families as of November 2021. Its product line, Dispelix DPX, includes Dispelix DPX - Ohut, Dispelix DPX - Selva, and Dispelix DPX - Sade with a varying degree of field of view, form factor, and weight. According to Co-Founder and CTO Juuso Olkkonen, its displays are the lightest and thinnest in the market.Key customers and partnerships1) Foxconn and Pegatron: to create reference designs for AR glasses based on its Selvä waveguide display (October 2023)&nbsp;2) VividQ: created a “waveguide combiner” which accurately displays variable-depth 3D content in a user’s environment (January 2023)3) ColorChip and Maradin: To further Light Beam Scanning (LBS) solutions for AR glasses (October 2022)4) Jade Bird Displays: To develop multiple reference designs for AR devices (June 2022)5) AAC Technologies: To improve waveguide displays for the AR and MR industry (March 2022)6) OQmented: for the development and commercialization of MEMS-based LBS technology (November 2021)7) Coretronic: To develop a range of AR optical module solutions (December 2020)8) Hoya Corporation: To improve quality of waveguide displays (November 2020)Funding and financialsIn its most recent funding round (November 2021), Dispelix raised USD 33 million in a Series B funding round co-led by Atlantic Bridge, CCB Trust, and Flashpoint with participation from Lifeline Ventures, VTT Ventures, and 3M Ventures. The funds were allocated to product development. It revealed that several OEM customers were slated to integrate its technology into their consumer offerings by 2023.

Dispelix

DigiLens is a developer of holographic waveguides, which is a clear, thin piece of glass or plastic, used for AR devices. In January 2023, the company launched ARGO, an XR smartglass designed for enterprise and industrial use, the first AR device to utilize Qualcomm’s SnapDragon XR2 platform. Other specifications included 6-degrees of freedom (6-DoF) tracking, a 30-degree field-of-view, spatial audio, a 48MP RGB camera, voice and gaze recognition, access to real-time data visualizations, and a 2,500-nits HD display.&nbsp;The company’s first product, the DigiLens Crystal was introduced in 2019, was a thin-film laser-etched photopolymer embedded with microscopic holograms of mirror-like optics. By projecting a micro display to one end of the lens and another set of optics working to guide the light wave toward the eye, this proved to be an ideal piece of hardware for AR devices, which are preferred with as little hardware as possible.&nbsp;It claims that its patented optical platform and photopolymer technology coupled with a holographic copy manufacturing process enable it to produce cheaper and more scalable solutions. In <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/17598">April 2023</a>, the company announced the launch of SRG+, a surface relief gratings product that improves upon its waveguide technology.The company generates revenue by licensing its technology across a range of industries including the automobile, enterprise, consumer, avionics, and military sectors. DigiLens also offers a white-label solution for automotive companies whereby it creates holographic waveguides for windshields that could offer in-cabin experiences for drivers.&nbsp;&nbsp; Key customers and partnershipsKey partnerships include that with1) Phantom Technologies: - Phantom Technology: To integrate Phantom's CASSI Spatial AI assistant into the DigiLens ARGO glasses, providing features such as spatial search, a contextual assistant, and task management using voice commands (October 2023)2) Wisear: To integrate its neural interface-powered earphones with the ARGO smart glasses (May 2023)3) Mojo Vision: To utilize Mojo Vision's micro-LED technology to build improved AR glasses (May 2023)4) Taqtile: To integrate the company's ARGO smart glasses with Taqtile's AR work platform, Manifest (May 2023)5) OMNIVISION: To develop new XR product offerings (January 2023)Other partnerships include that with OMNIVISION (January 2023), a leading global developer of semiconductor solutions to develop new XR product offerings. OMNIVISION’s liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) panels allowed DigiLens to build LCOS/LED projectors optimized for its holographic waveguides. OMNIVISION's core camera technology provides DigiLens' devices with features such as visual odometry and six degrees of freedom.&nbsp;DigiLens also works with Taiwanese licensed waveguide manufacturer Young Optics, Chinese original design manufacturer and electronics supplier Malata, Korean display manufacturer Sekonix, international technology company Continental, Chinese optical elements manufacturer Crystal Optech, and Mitsubishi Chemical.&nbsp;Funding and financialsIn April 2022, DigiLens announced the second close of its Series D funding round (intiial close in November 2021) in which it raised USD 50 million at a valuation of USD 530 million. The funds were allocated for the development of DesignV1, its second-generation product.

DigiLens

Companies developing XR headsets and relevant sub-components (displays, sensors, and processors). Also includes complementary XR hardware (tracking devices, haptic vests, and gloves)

Companies offering engines that enable the development of AR/VR content, also includes companies offering capabilities to capture and create 3D images for immersive environments

Companies offering AR/VR solutions or toolkits for specific industry applications, including VR game developers

Companies offering location-based AR/VR experiences

AR/VR platforms offer remote assistance to field experts and headset manufacturers facilitate virtual work

Some solutions in the "content" segment are offered under a B2B SaaS model

Headsets and content segments provide the building blocks for the metaverse

AR, VR, and MR are the primary enabling technologies for the XR industry

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