SWITCH Materials

About SWITCH Materials

Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Burnaby, Canada, SWITCH Materials operated in the automotive and architectural glass sectors. The company focused on developing a photochromic-electrochromic technology aimed at making glass surfaces, such as sunroofs, darken automatically in response to sunlight. This process was designed to reduce heat and glare, offering users the ability to lighten the glass on-demand with a small electrical current.

The core of its business was the development of proprietary organic molecules capable of switching their optical properties when stimulated. This technology was intended for integration into various applications, including automotive glass, architectural windows, and eyewear. The business model centered on the research and development of these advanced materials with the goal of licensing or selling the technology to manufacturers in its target markets.

Over its lifespan, SWITCH Materials secured significant funding to advance its research and development efforts. The company raised a total of $13.2 million over five funding rounds from eight investors, including notable institutional backers like BDC, Ventures West, and Pangaea Ventures. Key funding milestones included a Series A round in May 2007, a Series B round for $7.29 million in January 2010, and a grant from Sustainable Development Technology Canada in May 2016. According to PitchBook, the company ceased operations around October 2021.