Venrock continues a tradition of partnering with entrepreneurs to establish successful, enduring companies. With a primary focus on technology and healthcare, portfolio companies have included Apple Computer, Athenahealth, Centocor, Check Point Software, DoubleClick, Endeca, Gilead Sciences, Idec Pharma, Imperva, Illumina, Intel, Nest, SlideShare, and Tudou.

Venrock

Kopin

Technologies bringing about a new reality

Extended Reality

RealWear is a developer of hands-free wearable devices that can deliver vital information to industrial workers. Its latest headset, the <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/25301">Navigator Z1</a> was announced at CES 2024, with the company dubbing it as the ‘world's most advanced smart glasses’. The smart glasses are powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 6490 chipset with an embedded AI engine. Other features include ATEX/IECEx safety certifications, making it safe to wear in inflammable atmospheres, a swappable battery, and a camera and voice recognition feature for AI-guided workflows.In January 2023, RealWear debuted its Navigator 520 at CES 2023 which featured its new HyperDisplay feature. This technology provided users with an HD display and access to integrated remote guidance collaboration tools alongside access to applications such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom. Further, the company launched an App Marketplace, RealWear Connect (to simplify support requests for frontline workers) and a developer toolkit in <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/17425">March 2023</a>.Older headsets include the Navigator 500 (launched in January 2022), the HMT-1Z1 (June 2018), and the HMT-1 (September 2017).RealWear devices are sold outright and range between USD 2,000 and USD 6,020. In the 18 months to July 2019, the company shipped 15,000 HMT systems and reported more than 1,300 enterprise customers. RealWear also offers software solutions including a cloud dashboard for the centralized deployment, management, and tracking of devices. It worked on 120 workforce software applications during the same period.It acquired the assets of Kopin in August 2019 for USD 3.5 million to extend its segment reach. Kopin is a developer of wearable technologies and critical components for integration into wearable computing systems for military, industrial, and consumer products.Key customers and partnershipsBMW, one of its clients, deployed the HMT-1 in its US dealerships to allow technicians to remotely connect to engineering experts located offsite. Other clients included Colgate, Shell, Uros, Globalfoundries, and Airbus. In August 2021, it partnered with Lenovo, who certified the RealWear HMT-1 devices for use on its ThinkReality platform. Moreover, it entered a joint venture with Chinese AR company RealMax Group in March 2018, which allowed it to access state-backed industrial companies operating in the country.Funding and financialsIn February 2023, the company announced its decision to publicly list via an SPAC deal, valued at USD 375.5 million, although this was abandoned in <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/17690">April 2023</a> given subdued market conditions. In June 2022, Realwear raised USD 23.5 million in a Series C funding round led by Foundry Group. The fresh funds were allocated to support the launch of a software and services platform to complement its hardware products.

From counting steps to saving lives and beyond

Wearable Tech

RealWear is a leading provider of assisted reality wearable solutions designed to enhance the productivity and safety of frontline industrial workers. The company offers a range of hands-free, voice-controlled devices that project a virtual Android tablet below the user's line of sight, allowing workers to access information, communicate, and perform tasks without obstructing their field of view or using their hands.
RealWear's flagship product is the RealWear Navigator series, which includes rugged, modular wearables like the Navigator 500 and the recently released Navigator Z1. These devices are powered by advanced chipsets and feature built-in AI engines, enabling workers to utilize capabilities like remote video calling, document navigation, guided workflow, mobile forms, and data visualization.
The Navigator Z1, launched in January 2024, stands out as the world's most advanced intrinsically safe (IS) head-mounted wearable. It has received ATEX/IECEx IS certification, allowing it to be safely used in potentially explosive atmospheres, such as oil and gas environments, where flammable particulates are present. With its exceptional power efficiency, noise-cancellation up to 100dBA, and modular design for customization, the Navigator Z1 caters to the demanding needs of hazardous industries.
In June 2022, RealWear raised USD 23.5 million in a Series C funding round led by Foundry Group, enabling the company to transition from a hardware-centric to a platform-centric business model. RealWear introduced the RealWear Cloud platform, a SaaS-based solution that provides advanced data analytics, real-time technical support, and device management capabilities, helping organizations streamline deployments and maximize return on investment.
As of 2023, RealWear has been acquired by a public company through a business combination transaction.

RealWear® is the world’s leading provider of assisted reality wearable solutions that engage, empower, and elevate the modern frontline industrial worker to perform work tasks more safely, and with increased efficiency and precision. RealWear gives these workers real-time access to information and expertise, while keeping their hands and field of view free for work. Headquartered in Vancouver, WA, RealWear has shipped devices to thousands of enterprise customers worldwide in energy, manufacturing and automotive, among others.  The company is field proven with world-class customers, including Shell, Goodyear, Mars, Colgate-Palmolive, and BMW, who use it to improve workplace safety and productivity. For more information, visit www.realwear.com

Recon Instruments, an Intel company, was founded in 2008 and is the world leader in smart eyewear technology for sports and high-intensity environments. Recon’s award-winning technology is backed by an extensive patent portfolio and integrates high-contrast displays with state-of-the-art computing platforms and sensor suites.   Recon’s smart eyewear technology features an Android-based operating system with an open SDK, empowering developers to create apps for an endless variety of sports and activities. Recon continues to define the smart eyewear category and is dedicated to improving athletic performance and participation in sports.  Recon's Mantra:  At Recon, we believe that instant information, delivered in the right context, can set us free and help us fulfill our true potential. We don’t believe in compromises.  We design our products to be safe, elegant, well-balanced, and incredibly easy to use. Nothing is more important to us. Sports are a great proving ground, pushing our product designs to the limit in every respect.  We carry out all aspects of product development and design in-house, from concept to final production. It’s a complex and highly multidisciplinary effort, but we believe end-to-end control of the process helps us stay true to our core principles.  Our philosophy is to live the product. Every employee is also a user. We all live and breathe to drive the company’s vision, and we never get tired of breaking new ground.

Ko-Brite manufacture gallium nitride light emitting diode chips.

Kopin Corporation's voice-activated, wireless, hands-free Golden-iÂ® mobile computing headsets, power-efficient, ultra-small liquid crystal displays, and heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBTs) are revolutionizing the way people around the world see, hear and communicate. Kopin has shipped more than 30 million displays for a range of consumer and military applications including digital cameras, personal video eyewear, camcorders, thermal weapon sights and night vision systems. The innovative Golden-i computing headsets are generating strong interest in industrial, medical, military, homeland security and utility applications. The Company's unique HBTs, which help to enhance battery life, talk time and signal clarity, have been integrated into billions of wireless handsets as well as into WiFi, VoIP and high-speed Internet data transmission systems. Kopin's proprietary display, Golden-i and III-V technologies are protected by more than 200 global patents and patents pending

<div> Kopin Corporation is a leading provider of wearable technologies and display solutions. Founded in 1984 and headquartered in Westborough, Massachusetts, Kopin specializes in developing microdisplays, optics, and wearable systems for a variety of applications, including consumer electronics, military, industrial, and medical devices. The company collaborates with major global brands to integrate its proprietary technologies into products. </div>

Kopin Corporation

OLED-On-Silicon (OLEDoS) Market Industry Research Report 2024-2034: Sony Semiconductor Solutions, LG Display, Seiko Epson, and Kopin are at the Forefront of Market Expansion

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

Kopin Corporation

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