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KYOCERA SLD Laser develops and manufactures high-performance gallium nitride (GaN) based laser light sources, commercializing a new generation of illumination and sensing technologies. The company’s core offerings include its LaserLight modules, which provide high-brightness white and infrared dual illumination for applications ranging from automotive headlights to night vision and advanced sensing. Leveraging its expertise in GaN laser diodes, the firm expands capabilities into diverse markets, enhancing performance with superior light output and efficiency.
The company was established in 2013 as an independent spin-off from Soraa Inc. by a team of leading global pioneers in solid-state lighting. Co-founders include Dr. Shuji Nakamura, a Nobel Laureate in Physics, alongside James Raring and Steven P. DenBaars. Their foundational insight was to commercialize GaN-based laser light sources, moving beyond conventional LEDs to unlock new possibilities in illumination and high-speed data transmission.
KYOCERA SLD Laser’s products find utility across various sectors, serving customers in automotive, display, and high-speed communication. Their advanced laser light sources are poised to redefine optical solutions for emerging technologies such as LiFi, augmented reality/virtual reality, and sophisticated sensing platforms. The company envisions a future where its innovative GaN laser technology extends connectivity and interaction far beyond traditional lighting applications.
SLD Laser has raised $5.0M across 1 funding round.
SLD Laser has raised $5.0M in total across 1 funding round.
KYOCERA SLD Laser (KSLD) is a technology company specializing in gallium nitride (GaN)-based laser light sources, particularly its LaserLight™ technology, which delivers high luminance—100 times that of LEDs—for applications in automotive lighting, displays, sensing, and communications.[1][4][5] As a wholly owned subsidiary of KYOCERA Corporation since its 2021 acquisition, KSLD serves automotive, mobility, specialty lighting, biomedical, industrial, and defense sectors by solving challenges in brightness, efficiency, and reliability for illumination and precision tasks.[1][2][4] The company demonstrates strong growth momentum through automotive certifications (IATF 16949, ISO 9001), safety approvals (UL, IEC), production ramps, and innovations like world's first laser-based headlight modules with white/IR dual illumination and record 100 Gbps LiFi communications.[2][4]
Founded in 2013 as an independent spin-off from Soraa Inc., KSLD was established by pioneers in solid-state lighting: Dr. Shuji Nakamura (2014 Nobel Laureate in Physics for blue LEDs), Dr. Steve DenBaars (Co-Founder and Chairman), Dr. James Raring, and Dr. Paul Rudy.[1][4][5] The idea emerged from advancing semi-polar GaN laser technology for superior illumination, building on Nakamura's LED breakthroughs to create high-power, reliable visible lasers.[1][3][4] Early traction included demonstrating LaserLight™ as next-gen lighting, securing over 500 patents, initiating sample shipments for auto/lighting, and establishing long-term supply agreements by 2017.[4] Pivotal moments: automotive certifications in 2018, production launches in 2019, Fortune rankings for workplace culture (2021, 2022), KYOCERA acquisition in 2021, and recent awards like the 2021 Prism for LiFi and headlight modules.[2][4]
KSLD rides the wave of advanced mobility and smart illumination, where laser tech enables autonomous driving, LiFi for RF-free 6G-era comms, and efficient sensing amid rising demand for EVs, AR/VR, and precision industrials.[2][4][7] Timing aligns with post-2020 automotive shifts to high-beam boost/adaptive lighting for better visibility/IIHS scores, plus exploding needs for radiation-hardened GaN in space/defense.[1][2][4] Market forces like LED limitations in brightness/range, regulatory pushes for glare-free safety, and LiFi's secure/high-speed edge over WiFi/5G favor KSLD's phosphor-pumped systems and dual-mode modules.[2][3][4] It influences the ecosystem by accelerating GaN adoption—via KYOCERA's scale—for next-gen displays, drones, and smart cities, bridging lighting with sensing/comms.[1][2][5][7]
KSLD is poised to dominate laser illumination in mobility and beyond, with ramps in automotive headlamps, LiFi kits for vehicles/aircraft/smart factories, and expansions into avionics/drones via recent Prism-winning modules.[2][4][7] Trends like 6G, full autonomy, and energy-efficient photonics will propel growth, leveraging GaN's resilience and KYOCERA's resources for custom manufacturing.[1][4][7] Influence may evolve toward integrated sensing/comms platforms, potentially capturing shares in $10B+ laser markets as partnerships (e.g., TDK) unlock hybrid light-data solutions—reinforcing its Nobel-rooted edge from high-luminance origins to transformative tech.[2][4][5]
SLD Laser has raised $5.0M in total across 1 funding round.
SLD Laser's investors include Khosla Ventures, Kleiner Perkins, Vivo Capital.
SLD Laser has raised $5.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $5.0M Series A in August 2013.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 1, 2013 | $5.0M Series A | Khosla Ventures, Kleiner Perkins, Vivo Capital |