Swave Photonics, a startup with roots in both Leuven and Silicon Valley, has raised an extra €6 million ($6.97 million) in follow-on Series A funding. The round was led by existing backer IAG Capital Partners and new investor Samsung Ventures, bringing the company’s total funding to over €43 million.
The new capital will fast-track the commercial rollout and real-world applications of Swave’s Holographic eXtended Reality (HXR) platform—a breakthrough in holographic display technology that could reshape how we experience AR, VR, and spatial computing.
This latest funding builds on the €27 million Swave raised earlier in January 2025, as well as its €10 million seed round from 2023. The investment reflects growing confidence in the future of immersive display tech as it converges with the rise of AI-powered spatial computing.
Building the Future of Spatial + AI Computing with Holography
Launched in 2022 as a spin-out from renowned research center imec, Swave Photonics is tackling one of the toughest challenges in the extended reality (XR) space: delivering true 3D holograms—not just simulated depth illusions.
Its HXR platform uses diffractive photonics on CMOS chipsets to directly shape light, eliminating the need for bulky waveguides. This means it can produce ultra-high-resolution, natural 3D images that feel lifelike, all within a compact form factor.
From AR/VR headsets to automotive heads-up displays (HUDs), and even medical imaging and industrial visualization systems, Swave’s technology is designed to bring immersive 3D to real-world use cases. The company says its platform is built to power the next generation of AI-enhanced spatial computing.
Swave CEO Mike Noonen noted that this follow-on investment reflects growing enthusiasm around the convergence of AI and spatial computing. He said the backing from Samsung Ventures and IAG will help the company push forward with commercialization and accelerate adoption of its cutting-edge display tech.
Recognition and Ready-to-Scale Manufacturing
Swave’s innovation hasn’t gone unnoticed. Its HXR platform recently earned a CES 2025 Innovation Award and was named a semi-finalist for the Electro Optic Photonics Frontiers Award.
Crucially, the company’s use of standard CMOS chip fabrication makes its solution not only scalable but also cost-effective—positioning it for rapid deployment across industries.
The new funds will support Swave’s expanding go-to-market plans, while also fueling further R&D efforts as it continues to refine the technology and unlock new use cases for holographic display technology.
