DigiLens is an innovator in head‑worn holographic display and waveguide technology, including volume Bragg gratings and the full‑color Crystal30 waveguide. The company supplies optics for XR use cases across automotive, enterprise, consumer, avionics, and military sectors and enables OEM partners via a patented optical platform and low‑cost contact‑copy manufacturing process. DigiLens says its next‑generation waveguide technology delivers higher performance at lower cost, enabling wider fields of view, improved uniformity, and fewer substrates for full‑color waveguide lenses. Management expects these advances to appear in the market in a material way over the next year and to extend the company’s lead versus competitors. The company is strengthening a licensing business model and expanding global offerings through strategic partners for glass and plastic substrates. Following the Series D second close, DigiLens reported more than $50 million in new investments and a valuation of over $530 million. DigiLens develops waveguide displays that project images through etchings in thin sheets of glass for AR headsets and see-through automotive displays. The company is focused on lowering the cost of waveguides to reach consumer price points through its manufacturing process. CEO Chris Pickett said the startup is building “the only waveguide that can get to a consumer price point.” DigiLens aims to enable svelte, high-definition AR designs that avoid bulky optics. The startup is based in Sunnyvale, Calif., and faces competition from major tech companies and other startups working on waveguide technology. DigiLens manufactures waveguide displays that enable mostly transparent AR headset screens by reflecting light through printed reflective elements on glass. The company’s manufacturing process ‘prints’ those reflective features directly onto glass sheets, which it says helps keep costs lower than competitors. While DigiLens has received press for miniature waveguide displays for first-generation AR headsets, it has found more immediate opportunity in making heads-up displays for cars and motorcycle helmets. Sunnyvale-based DigiLens announced a $25 million Series C investment from Continental, which now holds an 18% equity stake. The company has raised $60 million in funding to date, with investors that include Sony and Foxconn according to Crunchbase. The article positions DigiLens as a component maker continuing to develop enabling technologies amid broader uncertainty around consumer AR use cases. DigiLens is a Sunnyvale, CA–based developer of diffractive optical waveguide technology and nanomaterials for augmented and virtual reality. Its core product is a holographic optical waveguide that can steer and manipulate light using a variety of diffractive structures, some of which are electrically switchable, enabling wavelength and angular selectivity. The company supplies Optical Design/Tools, Parts Supply, Manufacturing Design/Tools and Material Supply and typically customizes prototype designs for customers from a library of Optical IP Cores. Led by founder and CEO Jonathan Waldern, DigiLens serves the aerospace, security and consumer electronics industries. With the $22m Series B financing, the company intends to bring several augmented reality displays and sensors to market for enterprise, consumer and transportation applications. Backers include both strategic and venture investors, reflecting interest from industry partners and financial firms.

Total raised

$147M

Funding rounds

4

Latest round

Series D

Latest activity

Apr 2022