eyeo, a company specializing in nanophotonic imaging technology, announced today that it has raised €40 million in Series A funding, bringing its total funding to €55 million. The round was led by Innovation Industries, with participation from existing investors imec.xpand, Invest-NL Deep Tech Fund, QBIC fund, High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), and Brabant Development Agency (BOM). The funding will support eyeo's efforts to bring its seven years of proven nanophotonic science to market as production-ready color-splitting sensors.
The core problem eyeo addresses is the inherent inefficiency of traditional image sensors, which rely on color filter arrays that block approximately 70% of incoming light. This limitation has kept every camera sensor—from smartphones to advanced XR devices—operating at a fraction of its potential. eyeo's technology uses nanophotonic structures to split light by color and guide photons directly to individual pixels, rather than filtering them out. This allows the sensor to capture nearly all incoming light, delivering three times more light sensitivity and native color fidelity in any lighting condition.
The implications of this advancement are significant across the $30 billion imaging market. Smartphone cameras could achieve higher-quality images in low light without larger sensors or lenses. Extended reality (XR) devices, which demand compact and efficient imaging, could benefit from sub-0.5-micron pixels that maintain high performance. Smart city applications, such as surveillance and traffic monitoring, could see improved night vision and accurate color reproduction. The technology is compatible with any CMOS sensor platform, enabling manufacturers to integrate it without redesigning entire systems.
According to the company, the Series A funding will accelerate the transition from research to volume manufacturing. eyeo has already demonstrated its technology in prototypes and is now focused on scaling production to meet the demands of commercial partners. The company is headquartered at High Tech Campus Eindhoven in the Netherlands, with a sensor design center in Antwerp, Belgium.
“This investment validates our approach to solving a fundamental limitation in imaging technology,” said a spokesperson for eyeo. The company believes its color-splitting sensors can redefine imaging standards by eliminating the trade-off between sensitivity and color accuracy. For more details, please refer to the full announcement here.
The imaging industry has long sought ways to improve low-light performance without increasing sensor size. eyeo's solution promises a leap forward by addressing the root cause of light loss. As the company moves toward commercialization, its technology could become a key enabler for next-generation cameras in consumer electronics, automotive, and industrial applications.
