Pelion Venture Partners helps entrepreneurs and invests in early-stage B2B software-based companies. Since 1986, Pelion Venture Partners has been helping entrepreneurs turn early-stage concepts into tomorrow's industry-leading companies. Pelion invests in early-stage B2B software across the US. With 7 investment team members, Pelion has deep and diverse industry and investment experience. They are hands-on in their approach and work collaboratively with each portfolio company.

Pelion Venture Partners

Social Starts is a venture capital firm with a data-driven approach to investing in moment-of-inception and Series A financing rounds. The firm prefers to invest in early-stage companies operating in the technology, health tech, internet, and mobile tech sectors.

Social Starts

Early stage venture fund focused on tech and CPG investments.  Owner and operator of Cat Empire venture fund.

Fort Ventures

Misapplied Sciences

Misapplied Sciences develops a parallel reality technology allowing viewers to simultaneously share a digital display, sign, or light and each sees something different. With parallel reality displays, public venues such as airports, stadiums, shopping malls, and resorts can be personalized for every individual simultaneously.

Misapplied Sciences is a technology company that has developed a groundbreaking display technology called "Parallel Reality." The company's core product offering is large LED displays capable of simultaneously showing personalized content to multiple viewers from different angles. These displays utilize specialized multi-view pixels that can project millions of controllable light rays in various directions, allowing up to 100 people to see individualized information on the same screen without requiring any special devices or headsets.

Delta is experimenting with flight information boards that know who you are and where you’re going

Delta Airlines Launches 'Parallel Reality' Personalised Flight Information Board At Detroit Metropolitan Airport

New Delta airport screen shows personalised flight info to dozens of travellers at once using AI

(PDF) The Parallel Reality Technology

Astounding Tech Marvel – US Airport Becomes 1st In The World To Use ‘Parallel Reality’; Here Is How It Works

Misapplied Sciences launch personalized flight info board

How Delta Air Lines Trials "Parallel Reality" By Misapplied Sciences

Next-gen Displays

Delta and Misapplied Sciences launch a personalized flight information board in Detroit

Misapplied Sciences is a technology company that has developed a groundbreaking display technology called "Parallel Reality." The company's core product offering is large LED displays capable of simultaneously showing personalized content to multiple viewers from different angles. These displays utilize specialized multi-view pixels that can project millions of controllable light rays in various directions, allowing up to 100 people to see individualized information on the same screen without requiring any special devices or headsets.The technology aims to revolutionize public information displays by providing a highly customized experience in settings such as airports, retail spaces, stadiums, and other entertainment venues. Misapplied Sciences' Parallel Reality displays can show personalized content like flight details, navigation instructions, and advertisements tailored to each viewer's location, which is tracked by sensors.Key customers and partnershipsMisapplied Sciences has formed a key partnership with Delta Air Lines for deploying its Parallel Reality technology at airports. The two companies first showcased the airport application at CES 2020 before bringing it to Detroit Metropolitan Airport in June 2022, making it the world's first venue with a public-facing Parallel Reality display. While Delta is currently Misapplied Sciences' flagship customer, the company has expressed interest in extending Parallel Reality to sectors like retail, hospitality, and outdoor advertising, suggesting potential future partnerships in those industries. &nbsp;

Varjo is a Finnish company specializing in advanced virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (XR) technologies for professional and enterprise use. Founded in 2016, Varjo develops high-resolution VR/XR headsets and software solutions that aim to merge virtual and real worlds with human-eye resolution. The company's flagship product, the XR-4 headset, launched in November 2023, features 4K displays, a 50% wider field of view compared to previous models, and two 20-megapixel cameras for mixed reality capabilities. Varjo's technology enables professionals in industries such as automotive, aerospace, and engineering to work in immersive 3D environments with unprecedented visual clarity.
Varjo's business model focuses on providing enterprise-grade VR/XR solutions for industrial applications rather than consumer markets. The company offers its headsets through direct sales and a network of over 40 international distributors. In 2022, Varjo reported net sales of EUR 22.7 million, more than doubling its revenue from the previous year. The company has also introduced innovative services like Teleport, which allows users to create and share photorealistic virtual recreations of real-world locations using an iPhone.
In June 2022, Varjo launched its Reality Cloud service, enabling cloud-based streaming of XR content for improved collaboration among remote users. The company has made several technological advancements, including the development of eye-tracking technology and human-eye resolution displays. Varjo's products support popular third-party VR/XR software and come with enterprise-grade customer support.
Key customers and partnerships
Varjo's customer base includes leading companies across various industries. In the automotive sector, 15 of the world's 20 largest manufacturers use Varjo's technology, including Volvo Cars, Audi, and Kia. The aerospace industry is another key market for Varjo, with Boeing utilizing its products for simulation and pilot training, including the Starliner program with NASA.
Approximately 25% of Fortune 100 companies in the US were using Varjo's VR/XR technology. The company has also secured the US Armed Forces as a customer for training helicopter pilots. In the aviation industry, Varjo partnered with both Airbus and Boeing, and in 2021, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency registered its first official virtual reality-based aviation training using Varjo's headsets.

Varjo

Pimax is a Chinese virtual reality (VR) hardware company founded in 2015 that specializes in developing high-end VR headsets. The company's core focus is on producing VR headsets with wide fields of view and high resolutions that exceed those of mainstream competitors. Pimax's flagship products include the Crystal and Reality 12K QLED headsets, which boast features like 5760x2880 pixel displays, 200-degree fields of view, and aspheric glass lenses for improved visual clarity. The company utilizes technologies such as QLED and Mini LED displays, eye tracking, and dynamic foveated rendering in its devices. Pimax headsets are primarily designed for PC-based VR experiences, though some models also offer standalone capabilities. The company aims to provide immersive experiences for applications like flight simulators, racing games, and other graphically-intensive VR content. As of 2024, Pimax has offices in multiple countries including the US, Sweden, and China, with its own manufacturing facilities in China. The company employs over 300 people across its global operations.
Key customers and partnerships
Pimax's products are targeted at VR enthusiasts and professionals seeking high-fidelity visual experiences. The company has partnered with Tobii to integrate eye-tracking technology into its headsets. Pimax also collaborates with game developers to optimize titles for its wide field of view displays, including racing simulators like iRacing and flight sims such as DCS World and Microsoft Flight Simulator. In December 2023, Pimax showcased its upcoming handheld gaming device called Portal, designed to play Steam games. Pimax works to serve both individual consumers and enterprise customers with its VR hardware offerings.

Pimax

Dispelix is a leading developer and manufacturer of see-through waveguide displays for extended reality (XR) applications. The company specializes in designing and producing advanced waveguide combiners, particularly single-layer, full-color waveguides for augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) wearables. Dispelix's flagship product is the Selvä, a thin and light waveguide that delivers bright and sharp full-color images while maintaining visual comfort for users. The Selvä is compatible with various projector types, including DLP, MicroLED, and LCoS.
Founded in Finland, Dispelix leverages the country's strong optics expertise and heritage. The company's technology is based on nanophotonics and diffractive waveguide design, allowing for the creation of compact and lightweight AR displays suitable for everyday use. Dispelix has developed patented DPX waveguides that offer high image quality, performance, and visual fidelity. As of 2021, the company had 43 granted or pending patent families, demonstrating its commitment to innovation in the field.
Dispelix's waveguides are designed to overcome one of the major challenges in AR adoption: the bulkiness of optical components. By creating thin and lightweight waveguides, the company aims to enable the development of AR glasses that are comfortable and socially acceptable for all-day wear. The large eyebox of Dispelix's waveguides ensures users can easily keep virtual content in their field of vision, while the bright image allows for comfortable use both indoors and outdoors.
In addition to waveguide development, Dispelix collaborates with various partners to create reference designs for AR glasses. These designs serve as complete concept versions that can be quickly put into mass production, allowing OEMs and ODMs to enter the AR market more efficiently.

Dispelix

Visionect is a world-leading e-paper company that designs and develops digital signage solutions. Founded in 2007, the company specializes in creating workspace coordination and management systems based on e-paper devices for various environments, from meeting rooms to parking lots. Visionect's technology is known for its ultra-low power consumption, ease of installation, and simplicity of use, leveraging over a decade of experience and market leadership. The company's flagship product is Joan, a room scheduling and workplace management solution that has evolved from a business meeting room booking service to a comprehensive workspace management system.
In 2021, Visionect introduced Joan 32, the newest addition to its e-paper sign solutions for corporate environments. Joan 32 is a completely wireless system that can be set up in minutes and uses 99% less power than conventional digital displays. This digital signage system is designed to maintain harmony in corporate culture by displaying synchronized announcements and essential daily information. Joan 32 is suitable for various settings, including offices, boardrooms, hotels, airports, restaurants, shops, hospitals, banks, museums, and schools.
Key customers and partnerships
Visionect's Joan devices are used by leading organizations and companies worldwide, including Microsoft, NASA, Samsung, and Amazon. The company has positioned itself as a primary partner for travelers, airports, and airlines by offering sustainable, tailor-made, and affordable transport solutions. Visionect's commitment to simplicity and ease of use is evident in all its solutions, making it a preferred choice for businesses looking to optimize their workspace management and digital signage needs.

Visionect

Papercast specializes in e-paper display technology, primarily focusing on real-time passenger information (RTPI) systems for public transportation. The company's core product is a range of solar-powered, wireless e-paper displays that utilize E-Ink technology. These displays come in various sizes, including 13-inch, 32-inch, and 42-inch options, designed for both indoor and outdoor use. Papercast's e-paper displays offer high contrast, 16-grey-scale HD resolution, and are readable from any angle, even in direct sunlight. The displays feature integrated LED illumination for nighttime visibility.
In March 2024, Papercast introduced a new e-paper display with an integrated battery capable of lasting over three years on a single charge. This innovation was made possible by a new e-paper driver board developed in-house, which offers 3.3 times better power efficiency compared to other e-paper signage solutions. The company claims this makes their displays 140 times more efficient than LCD displays and 250 times more efficient than traditional LED displays commonly found at bus stops. Papercast's displays can operate in temperatures ranging from -15 to +85 degrees Celsius.
The company's displays are housed in ruggedized IP65-rated enclosures made from extruded aluminum with toughened laminated anti-vandal, anti-scratch front glass. They feature a secure fixing mechanism and an integrated accelerometer. Papercast's technology allows for easy installation, with displays capable of being mounted within minutes and operated entirely off-grid.
Papercast's displays connect to a cloud-based content management system via 3G or Wi-Fi. This platform, designed specifically for transit agencies, offers integration with various systems and data sources. The company's focus on low power consumption and solar power capabilities aligns with its commitment to sustainability and cost-efficiency in the public transport sector.
Key customers and partnerships
In May 2023, Papercast partnered with Solotech, an audiovisual technology firm, to accelerate the distribution of its ePaper displays to North American transportation entities. The partnership's initial focus was on promoting Papercast's battery- and solar-powered ePaper displays for bus stations.

Papercast

Companies that develop displays with versatile form factors that are bendable/foldable

Companies that develop displays that can project 3D images in mid-air, without requiring any special glasses or viewing devices

Companies that develop displays that are designed to mimic the appearance of ink on paper

Companies that develop displays that can be integrated into AR/VR headsets or smart glasses. This also includes transparent displays that can display information while maintaining transparency

Companies that develop displays that are alternatives to more traditional LED/LCD technology. They cover a range of light-emitting technologies including OLED, QLED, and MicroLED

Companies that develop displays that can provide tactile or haptic feedback to users, simulating the sensation of touch

Companies that develop displays that are ideal for ultra-short throw (UST) projectors that require limited space and wide viewing angles

To use advanced printing technologies to manufacture display substrates and bring cost efficiencies to the process

To bring cost efficiencies to the manufacturing process

Immersive displays such as AR/VR headsets or smart glasses are used for creating immersive experiences

Enables the creation of flexible and foldable displays by allowing the placement of smart displays on a variety of new types of devices

Biodegradable as well as self-powered and energy-harvesting displays are emerging areas of display technology

Uses sophisticated printing technologies for producing advanced display substrates and for infusing new display technologies in a cost-efficient manner

Misapplied Sciences

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