Compound is a venture capital firm that invests in bleeding-edge technology built by outliers. They have partnered with elite operators that understand the intricacies of many different industries and various components of businesses, that help them navigate the complex systems in which each startup lives by removing roadblocks and compounding growth. Compound is based in New York City.

Compound

Fly is a first check VC for technical founders solving hard problems. Fly invests from day-zero to seed, backing founders from all over Europe.

Fly Ventures

Firstminute Capital is a European seed fund based in London. Moreover, Firstminute invests in European early-stage tech companies. The firm was founded in 2017 by Brent Hoberman and Spencer Crawley.

Firstminute Capital

Tiny VC

Eclipse Ventures is a seed-stage venture firm managed by a team of former operators who are passionate about modernizing massive, physical industries like manufacturing, logistics, transportation, and healthcare. They work side by side with experienced founders who understand the need to transform these industries, and they provide guidance on everything from operating practices to fundraising strategies. Partnering means deep engagement as they build generational companies in sectors that define and propel economies.

Eclipse Ventures

Balderton Capital is a Venture Capital Investor that supports technology businesses. They support Founders at every stage of their journey. They provide advice, introduce portfolio leaders to professional service providers, and invite portfolio leaders to workshops and community events where they can meet one another.

Balderton Capital

Necessary Ventures focuses on investing in what the world needs. They work with the founders to build the most scalable solutions.

Necessary Ventures

Bossa Invest manages investment portfolios and provides asset management services to clients. It analyzes market trends to inform investment decisions. Bossa Invest serves multiple sectors, including finance, technology, and real estate.

Bossa Invest

Exor Ventures is the venture capital arm of Exor, one of Europe's largest diversified holding companies. Exor Ventures focuses on early and growth-stage investments in technology-driven companies across various sectors, including digital services, fintech, cybersecurity, and mobility. Exor Ventures leverages its strategic insights and global network to identify promising startups with disruptive potential and supports them through funding, mentorship, and access to its extensive resources.   EXOR Seeds offers a truly different type of partnership to the select group of entrepreneurs that it backs: - As a fifth-generation family-led business, we proved that we are builders not traders; - Our permanent capital allows us to take a long-term view and put the interest of the companies We invest in first; - Our global network, across industries and geographies, is a unique advantage to entrepreneurs

Exor Ventures

Ocado Group operates as an online grocery retailer. The company offers fruits and nuts, wine, vegetables, grocery and household items, milk, eggs, and fish and seafood. It also provides meals, desserts, drinks, cupboards, gifts, household products, flowers, toiletries, pet care products, and child and baby products. The company was formerly known as L. M. Solutions (UK) Limited and changed its name to Ocado in May 2001.  Ocado was incorporated in 1999 and is based in Hatfield, the United Kingdom.

Ocado Group

Reference Capital has built the ecosystem needed to find, track and access best-in-class Venture Funds that will drive outperformance for our clients.  We provide investment advisory services to institutional investors, including some of the most influential industrial families, foundations, pensions, private clients, corporate and government entities.  Our mission is to provide our clients unparalleled access to the most coveted investment opportunities in venture capital, with meaningful exposure to the emerging generation of technology leaders.

Reference Capital SA

Virgin is a international investment group and one of the world's most recognised and respected brands.

Virgin Group

Baillie Gifford is an independently owned investment management firm. It is owned and run by 39 of its senior executives, who operate as a partnership, a structure that has endured for over a century and provides stability for clients and motivation for employees. It enables them to manage the business for the future as well as the present, with an emphasis on genuine long-term thinking rather than lurching haplessly between short-term targets.

Baillie Gifford

Microsoft is an American multinational corporation that develops, manufactures, licenses, supports, and sells a range of software products and services. Microsoft’s devices and consumer (D&C) licensing segment licenses the Windows operating system and related software, Microsoft Office for consumers, and the Windows Phone operating system. The company’s computing and gaming hardware segment provides Xbox gaming and entertainment consoles and accessories, second-party and third-party video games, and Xbox Live subscriptions; surface devices and accessories; and Microsoft PC accessories. Its phone hardware segment offers Lumia smartphones and other non-Lumia phones. Its D&C segment provides Windows Store, Xbox Live transactions, and Windows phone store; search advertising; display advertising; Office 365 Home and Office 365 Personal; first-party video games; and other consumer products and services as well as operating retail stores. Microsoft’s commercial licensing segments license server products, including Windows Server, Microsoft SQL Server, Visual Studio, System Center, and related Client Access Licenses (CALs); Windows Embedded; Windows operating system; Microsoft Office for business, including Office, Exchange, SharePoint, Lync, and related CALs; Microsoft Dynamics business solutions; and Skype. Its commercial segment offers enterprise services, including premier support services and Microsoft consulting services; commercial cloud comprising Office 365 Commercial, other Microsoft Office online offerings, Dynamics CRM Online, and Microsoft Azure; and other commercial products and online services. The company markets and distributes its products through original equipment manufacturers, distributors, and resellers, as well as online.

Microsoft

Linse Capital is a growth equity firm investing in technology companies in the transportation, energy, and logistics sectors. The company collaborates with firms that are advancing technology in areas such as electric vehicles, driverless vehicles, air mobility, robotics, warehouse automation, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and space.

Linse Capital

D1 Capital Partners is an investment firm that deploys capital in both public and private markets. It invests on behalf of investors globally, including endowments and foundations, family offices, sovereign wealth funds, outsourced CIOs, hospitals, and pensions. D1 has a fundamental and research-intensive investment strategy with a focus on medium to long-term returns. Its research centers on the consumer, business services, financial services, healthcare, industrials, real estate and technology, media, and telecom sectors.

D1 Capital Partners

Moore Strategic Ventures is a privately held investment company. It specializes in the fields of financial services, venture capital, and finance.

Moore Strategic Ventures

XTX Ventures is the venture capital arm of XTX Markets. XTX Markets is a leading, innovation-driven algorithmic trading firm. XTX Ventures focuses on early stage startups (Seed to Series A) applying machine learning and leverages XTX Markets’ deep expertise in ML and financial technology to help grow and enhance those businesses. We are geography and industry agnostic.

XTX Ventures

F+ Ventures is Fark Labs’ venture capital arm, which invests in late seed and Series A startups within the smart mobility ecosystem that provide disruptive solutions through superior technologies and/or unique business models.

F+ Ventures

Grep VC invests in early-stage Robotics as a Service (RaaS) companies building robots that apply narrow skills to giant markets.

Grep VC

SoftBank provides fixed-line, mobile telephony, internet, telecommunications, and digital television products. It is a multinational telecommunications and internet corporation focused on broadband, fixed-line telecommunications, e-commerce, the internet, technology services, finance, media and marketing, and other businesses. The company operates through four segments. The mobile communications segment provides mobile communications services, produces and distributes online games for smartphones and other devices, offers mobile broadband services, provides supply chain solutions, handset protection, and insurance, buy-back and trade-in services, omnichannel solutions, and financial services, and sells mobile devices such as iPhones, iPads, and SoftBank smartphones. The Sprint segment offers mobile and fixed-line voice and data transmission services for individual consumers, businesses, government subscribers, and resellers in Puerto Rico and the U.S. and sells mobile devices and accessories. The fixed-line telecommunications segment offers telecom services such as fixed-line telephone and data communications services to corporate customers and broadband services to individual customers. The internet segment is engaged in the operation of the Yahoo! Japan portal, the sale of internet advertising, the operation of e-commerce sites, the provision of membership services, the sale and marketing of data centers, the provision of online automobile-related information, and the operation of the internet affiliate system. SoftBank also generates and sells electricity from renewable energy sources; provides payment processing, invoice collections, and computation services for businesses; distributes video, voice, and data content via media; operates the IT information site ITmedia; provides solutions and services for online businesses; and operates online games and software downloads. Additionally, it is involved in the ownership of professional baseball teams, the operation of baseball games, the management and maintenance of baseball stadiums and other sports facilities, and the procurement of funds by issuing preferred securities.

SoftBank

NVIDIA is a computing platform company, innovating at the intersection of graphics, HPC, and AI. The company specializes in the manufacture of graphics-processor technologies for workstations, desktop computers, and mobile devices. The company is a major supplier of integrated circuits used for personal computer motherboard chipsets, graphics processing units (GPUs), and game consoles.

NVIDIA

Uber develops and operates a ridesharing mobile application that connects consumers with partner drivers. The application allows users to submit trip requests, which are then routed to available drivers. It facilitates the arrangement and scheduling of transportation and logistics services through third-party providers. Uber operates in various cities worldwide, providing applications for multiple platforms, including Windows Phone, iPhone, Blackberry, and Android.

Uber

Wayve

Wayve develops a fully autonomous driving system for autonomous vehicles. It uses end-to-end deep learning to create artificial intelligence capable of complex driving, which can scale across diverse urban environments. Wayve operates a fleet of electric vehicles fitted for autonomous operation and technology development. It is headquartered in London, United Kingdom.

UK-based Wayve develops the fully autonomous driving system “AV2.0” for autonomous cars, using mapless end-to-end deep learning and surround cameras to enable self-driving with AI. The driving system is data-driven and can scale across diverse urban environments. It also uses advanced <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/30536">simulation technologies.</a> Wayve claims to be the first to deploy autonomous vehicles with deep learning on public roads. The company has offices in the UK, the US, and <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/28401">Canada.</a>

Automation and robotics are finally creating solutions for the complexities of doorstep deliveries.

Last-mile Delivery Automation

UK-based Wayve develops the fully autonomous driving system “AV2.0” for autonomous cars, using mapless end-to-end deep learning and surround cameras to enable self-driving with AI. The driving system is data-driven and can scale across diverse urban environments. It also uses&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/30536">advanced simulation technologies.</a> Wayve claims to be the first to deploy autonomous vehicles with deep learning on public roads. The company has offices in the UK, the&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/35175">US,</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/28400">Canada.</a>

Autonomous and connected technologies shaping the future of the auto industry

Auto Tech

Wayve’s AI Self-Driving System Is Here to Drive Like a Human and Take On Waymo and Tesla

Uber invested in and partnered with Wayve, a UK-based autonomous vehicle tech company. The funding and partnership aim to accelerate Wayve's work with global OEMs to enhance consumer vehicles with advanced driver assistance and automated driving capabilities. The companies also plan to develop globally scalable Level 4 autonomous vehicles for future deployment on Uber's network (i.e., fully autonomous vehicles limited to specific locations and/or conditions).

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

To accelerate Wayve's work with global OEMs to enhance consumer vehicles with advanced driver assistance and automated driving capabilities, and develop Level 4 autonomous vehicles for Uber's network.

This is a sub-branch of self-driving cars and represents autonomous vehicles that can move along public roads. The technology used is similar to self-driving cars. ADVs have a higher load capacity and travel at a faster speed than vehicles like droids.

Ocado Group partnered with Wavye to test the use of self-driving vehicles in London to improve road safety.

To develop an autonomous grocery delivery service that can cope with traffic issues. Wayve’s self-driving technology will be retrofitted into Ocado’s delivery vans for a year-long autonomous grocery delivery trial in London.

To develop an autonomous grocery delivery service that can cope with the tough traffic. 

UK-based Wayve develops the fully autonomous driving system “AV2.0” for autonomous cars, using end-to-end deep learning and surround cameras to enable self-driving with AI. The driving system is data-driven and can scale across diverse urban environments. Wayve claims to be the first to deploy autonomous vehicles with deep learning on public roads. The company has offices in the UK, the US, and <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/28401">Canada.</a>Key customers and partnershipsWayve entered the autonomous last-mile delivery space by partnering with British grocery retailer Asda <a href="https://wayve.ai/blog/wayve-announces-autonomous-van-trial-in-partnership-with-asda">(September 2021;</a> extended in <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/17735">April 2023)</a> and online grocer Ocado <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/5854">(October 2021)</a> for delivery trials in London.The company’s product development partners include Microsoft Azure (to scale its machine learning capabilities; <a href="https://news.microsoft.com/en-gb/2020/10/22/wayve-chooses-microsoft-azure-to-scale-ai-based-autonomous-driving-technology/">October 2020),</a> Admiral, Ansys, NVIDIA, and Weights &amp; Biases.Funding and financials<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/29138">In May 2024,</a> Wayve raised USD 1.05 billion in a Series C funding round led by SoftBank Group, to develop its autonomous and automated driving technologies and AI-assisted automotive technologies. It also planned to expand its operations globally.

UK-based Wayve develops the fully autonomous driving system “AV2.0” for autonomous cars, using mapless end-to-end deep learning and surround cameras to enable self-driving with AI. The driving system is data-driven and can scale across diverse urban environments. It also uses advanced <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/30536">simulation technologies.</a> Wayve claims to be the first to deploy autonomous vehicles with deep learning on public roads. The company has offices in the UK, the US, and <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/28401">Canada.</a>Key customers and partnershipsWayve entered the autonomous last-mile delivery space by partnering with British grocery retailer Asda <a href="https://wayve.ai/blog/wayve-announces-autonomous-van-trial-in-partnership-with-asda">(September 2021;</a> extended in <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/17735">April 2023)</a> and online grocer Ocado <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/5854">(October 2021)</a> for delivery trials in London.The company’s product development partners include Microsoft Azure (to scale its machine learning capabilities; <a href="https://news.microsoft.com/en-gb/2020/10/22/wayve-chooses-microsoft-azure-to-scale-ai-based-autonomous-driving-technology/">October 2020),</a> Admiral, Ansys, NVIDIA, and Weights &amp; Biases.

Zing Drone Solutions offers an end-to-end drone delivery platform, which includes autonomous flight software and plug-and-play hardware. Drone pilots can team up with Zing to make deliveries with their own drones, while Zing undertakes the licensing and insuring of pilots. The company also sells two models of FAA-approved broadcast modules to pilots.As of March 2024, the company had operations in a test site in Sarasota, Florida, to demonstrate drone-based deliveries. It was mainly generating revenue through the sale of broadcast modules to pilots.Key customers and partnershipsZing Drone Solutions has product partnerships with companies including 1) software company Airspace Link to integrate airspace awareness technology (December 2021); 2) air traffic navigation service provider Skyway Technologies to install route planning and air navigation solutions for operations in Florida and beyond (January 2022; conducted first flights in Montverde, Florida <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/10175">in May 2022);</a> and 3) Arrive (formerly DroneDek; June 2020) and Valqari (August 2021) to obtain hardware and infrastructure.Funding and financialsZing Drone Solutions generated revenue of USD 40,847 and incurred a loss of USD 160,287 in 2023.

Zing Drone Solutions

DroneUp is a drone startup offering&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/18602">drone-based last-mile delivery services</a> primarily pitched toward retail, food, and medical deliveries. The company's&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/34605">technology package</a> includes a proprietary software solution, an innovative winch system, and custom battery packs. The company has operations in the US (including Arkansas, Texas, Florida, Arizona, Virginia, Utah, and North Carolina) and potentially&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/11637">Europe.</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/36763">In December 2024,</a> it obtained approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)’s Part 135 Certification to conduct commercial beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) drone deliveries.DroneUp’s complementary acquisitions in the space include AeroVista Innovations to provide full-service drone training to organizations (April 2020); Web Teks, a UAS software developer that had been a contractor for DroneUp&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/103">(March 2021)</a>; and AirMap, an airspace management software provider for drones&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/7177">(December 2021).</a>&nbsp;Key customers and partnershipsDroneUp has conducted drone-based deliveries in partnership with organizations including <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/10658">Walmart,</a> <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/161">NUAIR (Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research Alliance) and SUNY Upstate Medical University,</a> the City of Ontario and the real estate company <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/4266">Brookfield Properties,</a> <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/17938">Riverside Health System,</a> <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/19264">Carilion Clinic,</a> and <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/23954">Chick-fil-A</a>.DroneUp also has product partnerships with companies including1) <a href="https://sp-edge.com/companies/865380">A2Z Drone Delivery</a> to integrate the latter’s tethered freefall drone delivery technology into DroneUp’s drones <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/105">(March 2021)</a>2) South Korean company Doosan Mobility Innovation (DMI) to test drones using hydrogen fuel cell technology <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/17671">(April 2023)</a>3) Irsi Automation to integrate airspace awareness tech into its drones <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/18258">(May 2023)</a>4) Wonder Robotics to integrate precision technology for drone-based deliveries <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/18344">(May 2023)</a>5) Blueflite, a drone technology company, to leverage Blueflite’s drones for DroneUp's autonomous ecosystem <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/28155">(April 2024)</a>6) Elsight to obtain drone connectivity solutions <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/33137">(September 2024)</a>

DroneUp

Agility Robotics develops a human-sized, bi-pedal robot called “Digit” designed for logistics applications primarily for warehouse automation, with plans to introduce the unit for last-mile delivery applications. It is the only company in the market with a product designed to look and move like a human, using two upper limbs to carry an item while moving around on two legs. The robot uses a head-mounted LiDAR system for its primary navigation and is able to navigate semi-autonomously, carrying weight up to 35 lbs. The robots can charge autonomously by connecting themselves to docking stations when needed and can be deployed without additional retrofitting.The company unveiled the second generation of Digit <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/17182">in March 2023,</a> with plans to begin shipping to early customers in 2024 and a wider rollout in 2025 (price not disclosed). The company has a <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/21927">manufacturing facility in Oregon</a> with the capacity to produce more than 10,000 robots per year.&nbsp;The company also offers <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/27444">“Agility Arc,"</a> which is a cloud automation platform for deploying and managing Digit fleets. This is offered on a SaaS basis.Funding and financials<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/9899">In April 2022,</a> Agility Robotics raised USD 150 million in a Series B funding round led by DCVC and Playground Global to fast-track R&amp;D, ramp up production and delivery of its next-generation robot, and expand the team. In April 2022, Agility Robotics also received an undisclosed amount of funds from the Amazon Industrial Innovation Fund.&nbsp;Key competitors: None comparable (Agility Robotics is the only startup developing a humanoid robot for parcel delivery)

Agility Robotics

Manna Drone Delivery (Manna) provides drone delivery-as-a-service to restaurant chains, cloud kitchens, and online food delivery platforms. Using custom-developed aerospace-grade drones, it delivers directly from restaurants and centralized kitchens to consumer's homes. Its drones can fly at a speed of 60 mph, delivering within a range of 10 miles. The drones are also equipped with safety systems including a parachute that will automatically deploy and bring the aircraft to the ground in case of an emergency.In May 2021, Manna received the Irish Aviation Authority’s (IAA) <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/62">“Light UAS Operator Certificate” (LUC),</a> available under EU drone regulations and recognized across the EU. With the certification, Manna can self-authorize operations without the need for further approvals. The company also applied for a drone-based delivery services license in the UK <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/22174">in September 2023.</a>The services are offered via Manna’s mobile application, where restaurants can partner and list themselves for drone-based deliveries to their customers. As of March 2024, the company had completed 150,000+ deliveries to customers in Ireland (including Moneygall, Co Offaly, Oranmore, Co Galway, and in Blanchardstown and Balbriggan, Co Dublin) and the US <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/23388">(Dallas, Texas).</a>Key customers and partnershipsIts notable partners include restaurant operators and retailers such as Flipdish, <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/91">Just Eat,</a> Tesco, Camile Thai’s, <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/106">Samsung Electronics,</a> Coca-Cola, <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/23388">Farmhouse Coffee &amp; Treasures, The Touring Chocolatie,</a> and <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/27176">Boojum.</a>Funding and financials<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/17122">In March 2023,</a> Manna received an undisclosed amount of funding from Coca-Cola HBC and entered into a strategic partnership with the same to expand its reach to the US market.&nbsp;

Manna Drone Delivery

TwinswHeel is an autonomous delivery droids manufacturer based in France. The company offers six droids under two ranges; 1) “ciTHy” series pitched toward logistics applications for private sites and cities and 2) “facTHory” series pitched toward factories and warehouses. The robots can be configured to either pair up and collaborate with a person and follow them while carrying the loads or to move autonomously in a mapped area. The robots are equipped with LiDAR, six 2D cameras, 3D camera, and sensors for navigation. The ciTHy series comprises the following three sizes that can be used for last-mile delivery applications:1. ciTHy S: Can carry loads of up to 110 lbs, pitched toward personal mobility.2. ciTHy M: Can carry loads of up to 330 lbs; pitched toward technicians and craftsmen to help carry loads.3. ciTHy L: Can carry loads of up to 660 lbs; pitched toward stores in city centers.Key customers and partnershipIn May 2019, the company conducted a trial run in partnership with the French supermarket chain Casino’s Franprix, where shoppers can pair up with the robot, making it follow them while shopping, and even carry items to the customer’s home.The company also manufactures droids on behalf of the autonomous droid operator LMAD (2021).

TwinswHeel

Refers to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that deliver packages. Drones are already in commercial use in many other industries (such as photography, construction, and agriculture). The use of drones for goods delivery has emerged with the gradual advancement of battery and connectivity technologies.

Refers to autonomous vehicles that use pedestrian walkways and travel a little faster than average walking speed (generally 3-6 miles an hour). These vehicles can usually carry up to around 20 lb. and use a camera, radar, and sensors to move autonomously. 

Some companies use AI/ML tech for autonomous navigation.  (e.g., Goggo Network, Drone Express, Wayve)"

Autonomous delivery solutions fall under Industry 4.0

The solutions are electric and eco-friendly

All three types of delivery automation facilitate efficient and environmentally friendly solutions

UK-based Wayve develops the fully autonomous driving system “AV2.0” for autonomous cars, using mapless end-to-end deep learning and surround cameras to enable self-driving with AI. The driving system is data-driven and can scale across diverse urban environments. It also uses&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/30536">advanced simulation technologies.</a> Wayve claims to be the first to deploy autonomous vehicles with deep learning on public roads. The company has offices in the UK, the&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/35175">US,</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/28400">Canada.</a>Key customers and partnershipsThe company’s product development partners include Microsoft Azure (to scale its machine learning capabilities; October 2020), Admiral, Ansys, NVIDIA, and Weights &amp; Biases. It also partnered with Uber <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/33056">in August 2024,</a> to develop autonomous vehicles for Uber’s platform.

<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 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

ANALYST_QUICK_TAKE

<div>
 Wayve, a UK-based tech company specializing in autonomous vehicles, has broadened its operations to the US. They've achieved this by establishing a new office in Silicon Valley and initiating a driver assistance testing program in San Francisco and the Bay Area, California. This marks the first time Wayve has done an on-road trial outside the UK.
 The US testing program will mainly concentrate on Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) within both urban and highway environments. The intention of this program is to expand the scope of Wayve’s AI Driver product and to create a scalable driving software platform that can adapt to a variety of global conditions.
 The new Wayve office is located in Sunnyvale, where the team plans to concentrate on software development, hardware integration, and the handling of deployment operations.
</div> Analyst QuickTake: 
 This expansion underscores Wayve’s commitment to innovation and growth within the US market. Wayve's collaborations with partners such as <a href="https: 
//ukstories.microsoft.com/features/wayve-chooses-microsoft-azure-to-scale-ai-based-autonomous-driving-technology/"> Microsoft, </a> <a href="https: 
//wayve.ai/press/series-c/"> NVIDIA, </a> and <a href="https: 
//sp-edge.com/updates/33056"> Uber </a> are also crucial for accelerating the development of a global ecosystem for AI-driving technology. The company is backed by significant investment from these partners, aiming to replace traditional rule-based systems with an end-to-end AI system capable of operating any vehicle anywhere.

Wayve

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