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MICLEDI Microdisplays: Lighting Up the Future of Augmented Reality
In the fast-moving realm of technology, certain companies have truly mastered the art of pushing boundaries and changing the world as we know it. One such pioneering company is MICLEDI Microdisplays, whose advances in near-eye displays (NEDs) – pertinent to the rapidly expanding augmented reality (AR) landscape - remain their paramount focus. The continual accolades from its peers and its innovative tech model set them apart as a standout company.
The Brains of the Breakthrough
The force behind MICLEDI's pioneering developments is Dr. Soeren Steudel, a widely recognized CTO. Through his diverse experience at imec, the prestigious R&D facility, Dr. Steudel, had the basis for co-founding MICLEDI Microdisplays. His knowledge and vision enable the company's unique microLED array designs and fabrication methods.
A Track Record of Recognition
MICLEDI Microdisplays haven't just made stunning technology; they have also been celebrated. The company has received accolades from many Tier 1 OEMs -the world's top-tier original equipment manufacturers in the microdisplay sector - for the superiority of its advanced technology micro LEDs. This support from major industry players is a testament to the real-world relevance and application of MICLEDI's developments.
They are also present and contributing to the greater industry at significant events. MICLEDI is an acknowledged and invited speaker at Society for Information Display (SID) conferences, such as their annual Display Week in 2025. This continued participation in one of the most critical international display technology events tells much about their impact and recognition from the display community. Reinforcing their good name, MICLEDI was a recognized exhibitor and startup at 2021's consumer electronics extravaganza, CES, and again in 2022.
Most recently, MICLEDI Microdisplays was selected by the EE Times as one of the "100 Startups to Watch in 2024". This is an impressive result given that MICLEDI was chosen from many hundreds of companies that were researched by EE Times. "Being included in the top 100, and more specifically near the top few in your technology and product area, validates that you are a high-potential, high-impact technology that is likely to make a meaningful difference in your field and our world in the near future."
What Makes MICLEDI So Revolutionary?
The crux of MICLEDI's innovation is their novel microLED display R&D and production method.
Their microLED arrays are among the brightest and have one of the highest resolutions in near-eye displays globally, with a mind-boggling more than 9,000 pixels per square inch and almost 10 million NITS (candela per square meter) brightness intensity. That level of performance is key to a complete AR experience.
What makes MICLEDI unique, however, is its manufacturing flow. Although most microLED array makers are based on 200mm wafers or smaller, MICLEDI is the inventor of an innovative process that starts with raw Gallium Nitride (GAN) wafers, completed by a 300mm CMOS wafer fab flow. This method utilizes the accuracy, uniformity, and repeatability of state-of-the-art CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) silicon manufacturing processes for 300mm silicon wafers. By starting with proven-good GAN chiplets and manufacturing them into microLEDs at the world's most advanced 300mm fabs, they can minimize yield loss, reduce variation, and decrease product cost—essential for high-volume production in the future. They hope this will soon become the production standard for microdisplay modules over the next 30 years.
Deciphering the Name: MICLEDI Microdisplays
The "Mic" in the company name denotes "micro" or "ultra-small" to underscore the small footprint of their core technology. "LED" stands for light-emitting
diodes, the basic unit of their displays. Together, "Mic+led" provides a less ambiguous identity for the company by focusing on microLEDs. Including "Microdisplays" in the name makes the purpose of its end product clear: tiny, high-performance display modules designed for customers to build toward advanced AR glasses and similar near-eye products. Thus, the name is a transparent and efficient expression of their product sector and the technology on which it is based.
HAROLD BLOMQUIST'S STRATEGIC VIEW
Dr. Steudel leads technical innovation, and Harold Blomquist, VP of Business Development, drives the market presence and strategic business of MICLEDI. A critical part of the leadership team since the early days, Mr. Blomquist has a deep global background in building strategic relationships throughout the supply chain and with international customers. His experience managing pre-IPO companies, sitting on boards of directors, and advising leading chip companies positions him well to act as the "voice of the customer." He makes sure the very technically-oriented team at MICLEDI optimally balances between state-of-the-art innovation and market and customer requirements.
What Does "Innovative" Even Mean?
Yet for MICLEDI, "innovative" does not only mean lengthy, expensive basic research. It's this tactical but also imaginative problem-solving. They say innovation is "the discovery of unique value-added ways to successfully implement existing methods to solve uniquely new problems or the problems of the future…. reliably, predictably and reasonably cheaply." That is, applying proven methodologies and techniques to current challenges the way they were intended - you'll derive maximum cost and function benefit from that. Innovation in the Workplace Companies are considered innovative to the extent that they are originally inventive in identifying problems, crafting potential solutions to these problems, and selecting the most effective and efficient solutions to implement.
The "One to Watch" Advantage
For MICLEDI Microdisplays, being 'one to watch' certainly means something. It represents the company's natural ability - their "DNA" - to drive innovation that solves real problems and creates value in the future for everyone who uses their tech. This recognition is a strong seal of approval from independent third-party experts of their high-impact potential.
For MICLEDI, making it to such a list is undoubtedly a good sign. It affirms their hard work, unique contributions, and the significance of what they've achieved in a ruthlessly competitive realm. This newfound exposure is sure to unlock previously locked doors, bringing the aforementioned target users of their solutions into the conversation early, as well as potential investors and supply chain partners that leverage these lists for thought leadership.
What's Next: The Future of AR
MICLEDI Microdisplays is in the front seat of the augmented reality revolution. Their focus on developing industry-leading performing micro-led modules and an innovative 300mm manufacturing process makes them an essential player in enabling the next generation of consumer AR glasses market. By pushing forward their creativity using strategy leadership, a future where stylish and featherweight, truly immersive AR experiences are woven into everyday life via miniature but majestic displays made by MICLEDI is on its way. The tech world is paying attention, with good reason.
