Omnitron Sensors, a pioneer in MEMS fabrication IP for a new world of sensors, announced it has secured over $13 million in Series A funding led by Corriente Advisors, with participation from longtime investor L’ATTITUDE Ventures. The funding will fuel the expansion of Omnitron’s engineering and operations teams, accelerating the mass production of the company’s first product, which is a reliable, affordable microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) step-scanning mirror for multiple markets.
Streamlining the production of MEMS sensors — which was limited by expensive and laborious manufacturing methods for decades. Omnitron’s fabrication IP is a critical enabler for optical cross-connects (OXCs) in artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, optical subsystems in long-range LiDAR for autonomous navigation, see-through displays in extended reality (XR) headsets and eyewear, and precision laser spectrometry for methane gas detection.
Omnitron is targeting significant markets with its MEMS sensor technology:
- Omnitron’s MEMS-based photonics OXC for Tensor architectures boosts transmission speed and reliability in a low-power device, enhancing AI workflow in data centers. New Street Research states this market will approach $30 billion in 2027.
- Advancing affordability and reliability of LiDAR in autonomous vehicles – Omnitron’s MEMS step-scanning mirror targets an overall LiDAR subsystems market predicted to reach $6.3 billion by 2027, according to Yole Intelligence.
- Enhancing display quality in resource-constrained XR headsets/eyewear – Omnitron’s MEMS mirror satisfies the growing demand for XR optics, a market that IDTechEx expects will exceed $5 billion by 2034.
KEY QUOTES:
“Omnitron Sensors has achieved the quantum leap in MEMS fabrication technology for which the industry has been waiting. By inventing a process of fabricating mass-market MEMS sensors that are higher-performance, more affordable and more durable than existing sensors, Omnitron is uniquely able to satisfy unmet needs in long-stifled markets with enormous potential, such as optical cross-connects for AI data centers, affordable LiDAR sensors for ADAS, and other markets which have hit a wall due to the longstanding limitations in sensor technology and the inability of legacy MEMS manufacturing techniques to address those constraints.”
- Mark Hart III, CEO, Corriente Advisors
“As a longtime investor in Omnitron Sensors, we believe in the vision to proliferate industry-changing MEMS sensors for applications on which modern society depends. Omnitron has differentiated technology in multiple market segments, which will have a significant positive impact. Furthering our investment in this revolutionary technology has the potential to unlock new markets on a global scale.”
- Sol Trujillo, co-founder and managing partner, L’ATTITUDE Ventures
“MEMS sensors are the intelligent microscale devices that allow us to touch the world through silicon. Yet old and inefficient manufacturing methods have prevented the kind of growth in MEMS that is typical in semiconductors. That’s about to change. Our MEMS fabrication IP offers a new paradigm for mass-producing affordable, precise sensors at scale. With major investment from Corriente Capital and with additional funding from L’ATTITUDE Ventures, our company can now deliver on the promise of our technology.”
- Eric Aguilar, co-founder & CEO, Omnitron Sensors
