Kubos Semiconductors Ltd. (Cambridge, England) has secured investment from Drew Nelson, and Geoff Haynes – veterans of the compound semiconductor sector – and from the Development Bank of Wales, FOV Ventures, and S4C Digital Media Ltd.

The company has raised US$2 million to support its development of cubic-GaN technology for improved red microLEDs bringing the total funding to US$5.5 million since it was founded in November 2017.

Martin Lamb, formerly CEO of Wafer Technology – which was 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, a former CEO of engineered wafer supplier IQE plc, has invested in Kubos and joins the board of directors. Geoff Haynes also participated in the latest investment round. Haynes co-founded GaN Systems in 2008. The company was acquire by Infineon Technologies AG for US$830 million in 2023.

Kubos claims that the use of cubic-GaN material can double the efficiency of red microLEDs to enable clearer, brighter, more efficient displays to be manufactured for augmented reality and virtual reality (AR/VR) applications.

However, it remains unclear whether the micro-assembly of separate LEDs or monolithic full-color microLED displays will be prevail in the market place. Kubos’ cubic-GaN also has potential to improve the efficiency of LED-based lighting.

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.”

TrendForce 2023 Micro LED Market Trend and Technology Cost Analysis
Release Date: 31 May / 30 November 2023
Language: Traditional Chinese / English
Format: PDF
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