Lightform

About Lightform

Lightform, founded in 2014 by Brett Jones, Kevin Karsch, and Raj Sondhi, was a San Francisco-based hardware startup that developed technology for projected augmented reality, also known as projection mapping. The founders, all of whom hold PhDs in computer vision, had prior experience working on projection mapping at Walt Disney Imagineering and on related research projects at Microsoft Research called IllumiRoom and RoomAlive. CEO Brett Jones was inspired during an internship at Disney Imagineering to make the high-cost, complex technology of projection mapping more accessible and affordable.

The company's core product was a hardware and software solution designed to simplify the process of creating projection mapping experiences. The system consisted of a small, Wi-Fi-enabled computer device with a built-in camera that could be attached to any video projector. This device would perform a 3D scan of an environment using structured light, capturing the geometry of objects and scenes. The scan data was then sent to the accompanying desktop software, Lightform Creator, which allowed users to apply animated content, effects, and videos onto the real-world surfaces without needing a headset. The company later released all-in-one products like the LF2 and LF2+ which integrated the projector, camera, and computer into a single unit. The business model included selling the hardware for under $1,000 and offering an optional professional software subscription.

Lightform raised a total of $7.6 million over four funding rounds, including a $5 million Series A in November 2017 led by Lux Capital. Other investors included Dolby Family Ventures, National Science Foundation, Amazon Alexa Fund, and Baidu Ventures. The company targeted clients such as artists, designers, and businesses in retail, events, and hospitality. However, the COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted these industries, leading to funding challenges for Lightform. Despite efforts to pivot towards in-home use, the company announced in February 2022 that it was ceasing all hardware production and winding down operations, officially shutting down by August 2022.