Companies we’ve backed: WaveOptics
Looking to the future of augmented reality
WaveOptics designs and manufactures ‘waveguides’, the see-through displays for augmented reality wearable devices, which overlay the real world with computer-generated images.
Building the components for wearable technology
WaveOptics designs and manufactures ‘waveguides’, the transparent displays in augmented reality (AR) devices which overlay the real world with computer generated images.
Originally a team of 20 engineers, WaveOptics has grown into a 120-strong global specialist in ‘near-eye’ displays, with offices in Taiwan, China, and North America. In fact, more than 70% of the R&D team are PhD researchers with expertise in nano-photonics, optical design and the commercial production of headmounted displays.
The global AR market is expected to be huge, with some estimating it at $75 billion by 2023 * (just as every smartphone needs a screen, every wearable AR device will need a waveguide). Likewise, products such as their recently launched Katana waveguide – the lightest and thinnest of its kind – are much easier to manufacture at scale than rival designs: a major factor in our decision to invest. WaveOptics is the brainchild of co-founders David Grey and Sumanta Talukdar – with David Hayes appointed as CEO in 2017. We think it has quickly established itself as a leading optical technology provider in the emerging AR ecosystem, and is on track for a five times growth in revenue by the end of 2020.
Investors can access the opportunity to invest in companies like WaveOptics through some of our tax products such as Octopus Titan VCT or the Octopus Ventures EIS Service.
*Digi-Capital AR/VR Analytics Platform and Augmented/Virtual Reality Report, May 2019
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