Germany-based OQmented raises €18.4M for its MEMS mirror, laser scanning solutions

Itzehoe-based OQmented, a deeptech startup developing advanced MEMS mirror and laser scanning technologies, announced on Monday, March 27, that it has secured $20M (approximately €18.49M) in a Series A round of funding.

The term “micro-electro-mechanical systems”, or MEMS, is a technology that can be described as miniature mechanical and electro-mechanical components (i.e., devices and structures), which are created using microfabrication methods.

Some of the MEMS products include accelerometers for airbag sensors, mics, projector display chips, blood pressure and tyre pressure sensors, optical switches, analytical parts like lab-on-chip, and biosensors.

What does OQmented offer?

Founded in 2018 by Thomas von Wantoch and Dr Ulrich Hofmann, OQmented helps tech companies and eyewear producers to create fashionable all-day wearable Augmented or Mixed Reality spectacles.

In order to achieve this, the company creates ultra-compact MEMS-based light engines by scanning laser beams.

According to OQmented, its technology offers benefits such as better monitor performance, smaller size, higher brightness, and higher contrast. All of these are requirements for lightweight consumer AR glasses, suitable for outdoor use.

OQmented says, “Compared to conventional LBS systems, which often use two mirrors, featuring one fast and one slow axis, our 2D MEMS mirrors incorporate two resonant axes, both operating at high frequencies. The resulting Lissajous scan pattern realises an energy-efficient way of scanning a big FOV and a high sampling rate, generating superior image quality.”

The company has a team of around 80 people with five offices globally and plans to expand in office and laboratory space.

Capital utilisation

OQmented says it will use the funds to establish its laser beam scanning (LBS) technology as the key enabler for the first generations of consumer Augmented Reality glasses,  long-awaited by the public and advertised by the major technology companies.

Additionally, the company is looking to onboard several key employees and strengthen its business development team for access to the US and Asian markets. 

Thomas von Wantoch says, “Big tech companies and other players are racing to accomplish consumer AR glasses that are ultimately able to replace the smartphone. There is an overwhelming demand for our product and we will use the Series A funds to accelerate getting our light engines ready for the market.”

Investors in this round

Sharp, an electronic device and display manufacturer, joined as a strategic investor in OQmented. The round also saw participation from existing investors Salvia, Vsquared Ventures, and others.

David Woodward, President of Sharp Devices Europe, says, “We look forward to accelerating our cooperation with OQmented and to realising the developing market of all-day wearable Augmented and Mixed Reality glasses, along with the many differentiated markets that will eventually benefit from the key technologies and innovations driven by OQmented.”

“We are very excited to utilise the many synergies available between OQmented and Sharp’s own technologies and device industrialisation.”

Thomas von Wantoch adds, “We are excited that we gained Sharp as a strategic investor with years of experience as one of the largest suppliers for displays and electronic devices. Our unique cooperation bundles enormous know-how and enables us to offer an unmatched one-stop-shop solution to our customers: a light engine with integrated MEMS, electronics and laser.”