MICLEDI Microdisplays

MICLEDI Microdisplays is a fabless developer of microLED display modules focused on the augmented reality (AR) market. The company was spun out from IMEC, a Belgian R&D center, in 2019. MICLEDI's core technology combines III/V materials processing, 3D integration, and 300mm silicon-based processing to create compact monolithic AR displays with high image quality and power efficiency. The company has developed what it claims is the world's first solution for microLED manufacturing on a 300mm CMOS line, allowing integration of both the controller ASIC and emitter module on a single 300mm wafer.

MICLEDI's product portfolio includes ultra-small microLED arrays in blue, green, and red, with pixel pitches down to sub-3.0 microns. In August 2022, the company introduced microLED devices with integrated micro-lenses for pixel-level beam shaping, aimed at improving power efficiency and optimizing waveguide in-coupling for AR glasses. MICLEDI also offers a modeling platform for micro-lens customization, allowing customers to design specific configurations for their waveguide systems.

As of March 2024, MICLEDI had secured nearly USD 30 million in total funding. The company plans to use its latest Series A funding to expand its team, design and build an active backplane ASIC, and create a fully-functional microLED display module for AR glasses. MICLEDI aims to have full-color modules with active backplane addressing available in 2024, along with its first demo AR glasses in the second quarter of the year.

Key customers and partnerships

MICLEDI has established strategic partnerships with several key players in the semiconductor and AR industries. In January 2024, the company announced a collaboration with Kopin Corporation to design, develop, and manufacture advanced microLED displays for high-performance applications in defense, enterprise, consumer, and medical systems.

MICLEDI also has a partnership with Kura Technologies to manufacture AR glasses incorporating MICLEDI's microLED displays. This collaboration aims to enable the production of high-performance AR glasses at scale, with Kura leveraging MICLEDI's technology for its proprietary AR headset architecture.

The company has agreements with IQE plc for wafer supply and with GlobalFoundries for transferring its microLED manufacturing process into GlobalFoundries' CMOS fab. These partnerships are crucial for MICLEDI's fabless business model and its ability to scale production for commercial applications.