MicroLED firm Kubos raises $2M
UK-based firm to use funding to double red microLED efficiency for AR/VR displays
Kubos Semiconductors, a UK-based microLED material technology company, has raised $2 million to accelerate development of its cubic GaN technology which can double the efficiency of red microLEDs.
It brings the company’s total funding to $5.5 million and will enable Kubos to enter the microLED display market within three years through IP licensing. Kubos says its technology will enable clearer, brighter, more efficient displays to be manufactured for augmented reality and virtual reality (AR/VR) applications.
Kubos secured support from three of the most prolific and experienced veterans of the (UK) compound semiconductor industry and three strategic investors. Martin Lamb, Drew Nelson, and Geoff Haynes have a combined tenure of over 100 years in compound semiconductor materials development. Strategic investors are the Development Bank of Wales, FOV Ventures, and S4C Digital Media Limited.
Caroline O’Brien, CEO of Kubos commented: “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.”
Martin Lamb, formerly CEO of Wafer Technology (acquired by IQE plc in 2000) and an angel investor with several successful exits, was instrumental in the formation of Kubos and an early investor and has guided and shaped the team. He has served as chairman since its inception and will continue in this role.
Drew Nelson OBE, founder of IQE who stepped down as CEO in January 2022, has invested in Kubos and joins the board of directors. Geoff Haynes also participated in this investment round and is a GaN semiconductor expert. A company he co-founded in 2008 to address the power semiconductors market, GaN Systems, was acquired by Infineon for USD 830 million last year.
The Development Bank of Wales has a track record of supporting breakthrough technologies and compound semiconductor businesses. FOV Ventures is focussed on spatial computing and S4C Digital Media plays a key role in the delivery of digital content to consumers. This investor group brings experience and knowledge that touches on all aspects of the AR/VR opportunity that Kubos aims to exploit.
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.”
