Kubos receives investment for microLED efficiency

This brings the total funding for Kubos to $5.5 million and positions it to enter the microLED display market within three years through intellectual property (IP) licensing.

According to analyst Spherical Insights and Consulting, the global microLED display market is projected to surge from $1.35 billion in 2022 to $14.97 billion by 2032. Kubos' technology is poised to facilitate the production of clearer, brighter, and more energy-efficient displays for augmented reality and virtual reality (AR/VR) applications.

Kubos received backing from three seasoned veterans of the UK compound semiconductor industry and three strategic investors; Martin Lamb, Drew Nelson, and Geoff Haynes combined have over a century of experience in compound semiconductor materials development. Strategic investors include the Development Bank of Wales, FOV Ventures, and S4C Digital Media Limited.

“Any UK compound semiconductor business would be thrilled to have just one of these movers and shakers in the industry supporting it and Kubos can now draw on the experience of all three. In addition, the strategic investor group that we have assembled brings vital insight into how the metaverse, digital content and AR/VR products drive display and microLED requirements. This, coupled with our unrivalled experience in compound semiconductors means that Kubos is now fully equipped and ready to deliver,” commented Caroline O'Brien, CEO of Kubos.

Martin Lamb, previously CEO of Wafer Technology and an angel investor with several successful exits, played a pivotal role in founding Kubos and has been instrumental in guiding the team. He has served as Chairman since the company's inception and will continue in this capacity. Drew Nelson OBE, President of IQE, a significant compound semiconductor supplier, has invested in Kubos and joins the board of directors. Geoff Haynes, a gallium nitride (GaN) semiconductor expert, also participated in this investment round. He co-founded GaN Systems, a company addressing the power semiconductors market, which was acquired by Infineon for $830 million last year.

The Development Bank of Wales has a history of supporting groundbreaking technologies and compound semiconductor ventures. FOV Ventures specialises in spatial computing, while S4C Digital Media plays a pivotal role in delivering digital content to consumers. This consortium of investors brings a wealth of experience and knowledge spanning all aspects of the AR/VR landscape that Kubos seeks to leverage.

 Dr. Carl Griffiths, Fund Manager in the Technology Venture Investments team at the Development Bank said: "Kubos' proprietary technology has the potential to improve the user experience for lighting and displays and accelerate the adoption of microLEDs across a wide range of applications. We are proud to be working with this exciting company of highly acclaimed engineers and scientists, and to have helped them re-locate to Wales to make use of the compound semiconductor expertise and infrastructure in the region."