ST ANDREWS, Scotland, UK – December 11, 2019 - Ceres Holographics, an innovative developer of thin-film Holographic Optical Elements (HOEs) for next-generation transparent display (TD) and augmented reality heads-up-display (AR-HUD) solutions today announced reaching a key funding milestone to accelerate the commercialization of its unique HOE digital mastering and replication technology. To date, Ceres has secured €6.1M million euro in funding through both private investors and the European Commission Horizon 2020: Research & Innovation Program.
The Horizon 2020 grant of €1.4 million will help Ceres scale up its tested and proven precision mastering and replication technology to meet the needs of supply chain partners and customers. Ceres specializes in the design, mastering and replication of thin-film HOEs that enable new TD and AR-HUD systems. While the technology can be applied to a wide range of applications – the first beachhead, and target market is automotive. Ceres technology is in demand from automotive OEMs as it delivers optical power into the windshield, enabling new display solutions and shrinking the HUD projector package size – a key challenge for automotive OEMs.
“This prestigious grant award underscores the significance of the market opportunity for advanced display technology, as well the disruptive innovation we are developing to address the most pressing challenges to wider-scale adoption of holographic-based displays. All major automotive OEMs are seeking small, low-cost transparent display and high-performance AR-HUD systems, that meet the quality, price and volume production required by the market,” said Andy Travers, Chief Executive Officer of Ceres Holographics. “With this funding, we are bringing to market replication technology for large-format films that put optical power into the windshield, enabling a new class of small package-size transparent display and wide field-of-view AR HUD systems.”
Horizon 2020 is one of the world’s most prestigious and competitive grant programs making nearly €80 billion of funding available over seven years (2014 to 2020) to support market-creating innovations that demonstrate high-growth potential.
“Ixion is delighted to have supported Ceres in securing this funding, which will enable it to commercialize its technology,” said John Danvers, European Innovation Director of Ixion Holdings, an innovation and funding support consultancy that is part of the Shaw Trust. “Horizon 2020 is the largest EU Research and Innovation programme ever established and one of the world’s most competitive. Ceres securing funding as a lone applicant is a testament to the promise of the Ceres technology and the high market demand for it.“
Ceres HOE technology has been successfully demonstrated in OEMs prototype cars with HOEs inside full-size windscreens. Ceres also produces custom HOEs for new display applications that enable projecting information on side and rear windows of cars. Ceres is currently engaged in commercial development programs with several global automotive OEMs and supporting Tier One suppliers who are all targeting start of production (SoP) dates between 2022 and 2025.
About Ceres
Founded in 2009, in St. Andrews, Scotland, Ceres Holographics uses its proprietary technology to design, digitally master, and replicate next-generation Holographic Optical Elements (HOEs) for new transparent display (TD) and augmented reality heads up display (HUD) systems. With extensive knowledge of holographic photopolymer films and in-house expertise in photonics and light-guiding, Ceres works with partners and customers to deliver optical systems with precision-engineered, thin-film HOEs enabling mass-market applications in automotive, transportation, aerospace and wearable technology.
