Brilliance is a photonics startup founded in 2023 by Tim Tiek (CEO) and Douwe Geuzebroek (CTO) and is based in Enschede. It develops miniature RGB laser chips built on a patented silicon nitride photonic integrated circuit (PIC) platform with integrated laser technology for use in AR projectors and related display architectures. The company claims its chips reduce power consumption by a factor of ten, increase brightness for outdoor use, and enable smaller, more energy-efficient light engines that can fit into eyewear and automotive HUDs. Brilliance says its manufacturing approach leverages established high-volume chip processes to replace complex optical assemblies. The firm plans to scale up, design custom solutions for customers, and prepare for a first production launch by the end of this year. Financially, it has raised €2 million in seed funding in 2023 and an additional €6 million in the current round led by Cottonwood Technology Fund.

Total raised

$9M

Funding rounds

2

Latest round

Equity

Latest activity

Apr 2026