MICLEDI Microdisplays

MICLEDI Microdisplays is a fabless semiconductor company that develops and manufactures microLED display modules for the augmented reality (AR) market. The company was spun out of the Belgian R&D center, Imec, in 2019 by Dr. Soeren Steudel and Dr. Alexander Mityashin. Both founders were researchers at Imec with extensive knowledge in R&D for organic displays. The company is led by CEO Sean Lord, an executive with experience in the semiconductor industry, including roles at Qualcomm and TDK InvenSense.

MICLEDI's core technology focuses on an innovative process for manufacturing high-performance microLEDs on large 300mm silicon wafers, a world-first for this technology. This unique approach combines III-V materials processing, 3D integration, and silicon-based processing, along with a proprietary ASIC, to create self-contained, compact, and power-efficient monolithic AR displays. This method allows for high-volume, cost-effective production by leveraging the precision and scale of established CMOS manufacturing facilities. The company operates on a fabless business model, focusing its resources on research and design while partnering with leading semiconductor foundries like GlobalFoundries for manufacturing.

The company's products are designed to meet the demanding requirements of AR glasses, delivering high resolution, brightness, and excellent image quality in a small, lightweight form factor with low power consumption. MICLEDI produces red, green, and blue (RGB) microLED arrays which can be used for high-performance monochrome displays or integrated to create full-color RGB displays. The firm has also developed displays with integrated microlenses to optimize light output. Its primary clients are Tier 1 Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and other companies developing AR hardware, including smart glasses and automotive heads-up displays (HUDs). As of March 2024, the company has raised nearly $30 million in funding from investors including imec.xpand, PMV, KBC, and SFPIM.

Keywords: microLED, augmented reality, fabless semiconductor, 300mm manufacturing, display modules, near-eye displays, AR glasses, CMOS integration, III-V materials, silicon photonics