Over 5,000 journalists flood CES, sparking debate on media presence
- Swave Photonics, based in Belgium, raised $28.3 million to enhance its holographic display technology.
- The funding round was co-led by Imec.xpand and SFPIM Relaunch, with investments from new backers.
- This investment follows a $10.47 million seed round and highlights the growing interest in immersive visual technologies.
In the weeks leading up to January 2025, Swave Photonics, a Belgian company specializing in holographic displays, successfully secured $28.3 million in Series A funding aimed at advancing its Holographic eXtended Reality (HXR) platform. This significant funding round was co-led by Imec.xpand and SFPIM Relaunch, with contributions from new investors such as the EIC Fund and Murata Electronics. Notably, this funding round is bolstered by prior investments, including a substantial $10.47 million seed round earlier in 2023, which has propelled Swave's vision for its innovative technology further into reality. The announcement of the funding coincided with Swave's scheduled showcase at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January 2025, a prominent international event that attracts over 5,000 journalists and analysts eager to report on the latest advancements in technology. Swave has garnered recognition at CES, having been awarded the CES 2025 Innovation Award for their groundbreaking holographic display technology specifically designed for augmented reality (AR) applications. The innovation achieved by Swave is poised to disrupt current market standards and lead to significant advancements in visual technology. In a broader context, this funding underscores the increasing investment in technologies that merge the physical and digital worlds, with augmented reality at the forefront. The HXR platform aims to provide more immersive experiences, leveraging holography to enhance interactivity and engagement in various applications, from entertainment to business environments. As this technology matures, it could lead to transformational changes not only for Swave but also for the broader AR landscape. The anticipation surrounding the CES event and Swave's participation serves to highlight the growing interest in holographic technologies as they evolve. Industry leaders like Gary Shapiro, CEO of CES, recognize the potential that these emerging technologies have to radically alter consumer experiences. The outcome of Swave's advancements could pave the way for future developments, emphasizing the importance of innovation in staying competitive in a rapidly changing tech landscape.