Samsung Venture Investment

Samsung Venture Investment Corporation (SVIC), founded in 1999 and headquartered in Seoul, is the corporate venture capital arm of Samsung Electronics. The firm focuses on investing in emerging technology startups across various sectors, including artificial intelligence, robotics, augmented and virtual reality, semiconductors, cybersecurity, and digital health, among others. With over $1.8 billion under management and an annual investment budget of $250 million, SVIC targets early-stage startups to pre-IPO companies. The firm has a global presence, with offices in key innovation hubs such as the San Francisco Bay Area, Boston, London, Tel Aviv, Bangalore, Tokyo, and Beijing. Through its strategic investments, SVIC aims to drive the discovery and development of new businesses and technologies that will shape the future.

Ju Won Cha

Managing Partner

Jaeseok Cha

Investment Director

Russ Chaney

Principal

Myungseok Choi

Investment Director

Jeongheon Gwak

Investment Director

Uiseok Hwang

Investment Director

TaeWoo Jeon

Investment Director

Minjoo Kim

Investment Director

Junyeong Kim

Investment Director

Jongwook Kim

Investment Director

Han Seong Kim

Investment Director

Donghyun Kim

Investment Director

KyungNam Ko

Investment Director

Eunji Ko

Investment Director

JaeHo Koh

Investment Director

Helena Lee

Investment Director

Hyemin Lee

Senior Investment Manager

SunMin Lee

Investment Director

Stan Lee

Investment Director

Jaemin Lee

Investment Director

Claire Leurent

Managing Director

Sooyoun Lim

Investment Director

Michael Pachos

Investment Director

Jinho Park

Investment Director

Wookyoung Park

Investment Director

Junho Yang

Investment Director

Chanwoo Yang

Investment Director

Il Seok Yoon

Chief Investment Officer

Jisu Yoon

Investment Director

Sung Eun Sarah Kim

Investment Director

Past deals in Augmented Reality

NeuReality

Series A in 2022
NeuReality is a semiconductor start-up that designs AI-as-a-service infrastructure. It addresses the challenges posed by the growing deployment of AI in the cloud, edge, and fog systems.

Urbanbase

Series C in 2022
Urbanbase Inc. is a South Korean company founded in 2014 that specializes in a design platform transforming two-dimensional floor plans into three-dimensional models. The company has developed patented technology that allows for the rapid conversion of 2D designs into 3D, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR) formats. Urbanbase provides a consumer-facing VR home furnishing platform and an AR mobile application, enhancing the interior design experience. Additionally, it offers a business-to-business sales tool utilizing its internally developed 3D, AR, and VR APIs, which serve a variety of sectors, including real estate, home design, and retail. Urbanbase's clientele includes notable companies such as LG, iLoom, and Daelim, as well as over 40 other interior and furniture businesses.

Slamcore

Series A in 2022
Slamcore Limited specializes in developing simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) solutions for applications in augmented and virtual reality, robotics, and autonomous vehicles. Founded in 2016 and based in London, the company focuses on making commercial-grade spatial intelligence accessible. Its advanced SLAM software enables robots and drones to effectively navigate and comprehend their environment, utilizing methods such as Visual SLAM, sensor fusion, and Event Camera SLAM. These technologies allow for real-time processing and integration of data from various sensors, enhancing capabilities in areas like motion estimation and panorama reconstruction. Slamcore collaborates with partners to optimize the interplay between software and hardware, ensuring a balanced approach to performance and cost-effectiveness. By providing robust SLAM algorithms, the company aims to transform spatial AI into practical solutions for various industries, ultimately facilitating the integration of robots into everyday life.

DoubleMe

Series A in 2022
DoubleMe, Inc. specializes in developing advanced 3D capture systems aimed at enhancing holographic reality experiences. Founded in 2014 and based in San Jose, California, the company offers HoloPortal, a system that transforms 2D videos into dynamic 3D models in real-time, catering to diverse markets such as gaming, 3D animation, virtual and augmented reality, and 3D printing. Additionally, DoubleMe provides Voxelo, a viewpoint video player for Windows that allows users to view 3D videos of real captured scenes. The technology is particularly adept at capturing moving subjects like humans and animals, as well as still objects such as furniture, enabling rich and interactive 3D content creation from multiple camera angles.

DoubleMe

Series A in 2022
DoubleMe, Inc. specializes in developing advanced 3D capture systems aimed at enhancing holographic reality experiences. Founded in 2014 and based in San Jose, California, the company offers HoloPortal, a system that transforms 2D videos into dynamic 3D models in real-time, catering to diverse markets such as gaming, 3D animation, virtual and augmented reality, and 3D printing. Additionally, DoubleMe provides Voxelo, a viewpoint video player for Windows that allows users to view 3D videos of real captured scenes. The technology is particularly adept at capturing moving subjects like humans and animals, as well as still objects such as furniture, enabling rich and interactive 3D content creation from multiple camera angles.

HomeCourt

Series B in 2021
NEX Team is a mobile artificial intelligence company started by a team of second-time entrepreneurs and former Apple, Google, and Facebook engineers and employees. They combine cutting edge mobile, AI, and computer vision technologies with deep community engagement experiences to create utility and joy for athletes and sports communities worldwide. HomeCourt is the first application built with NEX Team’s core technologies. Using only an iPhone camera, HomeCourt can count, track, and chart basketball shots in real-time while providing instant video review and deep statistical analysis. HomeCourt is used by players in 100 countries around the world and has been featured in the Wall Street Journal and in Sports Illustrated. It is free to download on the App Store. The company is headquartered in San Jose, California, with another office in Hong Kong, the company has raised $4 million in seed funding. Investors include Mark Cuban, Steve Nash, Jeremy Lin, Sam Hinkie, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment Ventures, and Mandra Capital.

HomeCourt

Series B in 2021
NEX Team is a mobile artificial intelligence company started by a team of second-time entrepreneurs and former Apple, Google, and Facebook engineers and employees. They combine cutting edge mobile, AI, and computer vision technologies with deep community engagement experiences to create utility and joy for athletes and sports communities worldwide. HomeCourt is the first application built with NEX Team’s core technologies. Using only an iPhone camera, HomeCourt can count, track, and chart basketball shots in real-time while providing instant video review and deep statistical analysis. HomeCourt is used by players in 100 countries around the world and has been featured in the Wall Street Journal and in Sports Illustrated. It is free to download on the App Store. The company is headquartered in San Jose, California, with another office in Hong Kong, the company has raised $4 million in seed funding. Investors include Mark Cuban, Steve Nash, Jeremy Lin, Sam Hinkie, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment Ventures, and Mandra Capital.

Animoca Brands

Venture Round in 2021
Animoca Brands is a digital entertainment company that specializes in leveraging gamification, blockchain, and artificial intelligence technologies to develop and publish a diverse range of mobile products globally. The company is known for its popular games, including The Sandbox, Crazy Kings, and Crazy Defense Heroes, as well as titles based on well-known intellectual properties such as Formula 1, Marvel, Garfield, and Doraemon. Additionally, Animoca Brands supports the implementation of Web3.0 strategies for intellectual property holders, providing a platform that enables the creation of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and fungible tokens. This platform allows IP holders, including brands and artists, to monetize their rights and build fan communities within the blockchain ecosystem. With a strong portfolio of blockchain investments and partnerships, Animoca Brands aims to enhance user experiences and facilitate the trading of digital property rights. The company operates across multiple locations, including Australia, Hong Kong, South Korea, Finland, and Argentina.

DigiLens

Debt Financing in 2020
DigiLens Inc. is a developer and manufacturer of optical platform and photopolymer technology solutions specializing in waveguide displays for extended reality (XR) applications. The company offers a range of products, including the Crystal30 and Crystal50 lenses, which enable original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to create customizable XR devices for both enterprise and consumer markets. DigiLens also provides innovative solutions like the DigiLens AutoHUD, which enhances the field of view and reduces component size in heads-up displays, and CrystalClear, an augmented reality heads-up display. In addition to display technologies, DigiLens supplies light engines and hardware development kits, such as Insight30, which assist users in evaluating and developing wearable devices. Founded in 1997 and based in Sunnyvale, California, DigiLens has positioned itself as a leader in holographic waveguide technology, enabling various industries, including automotive, enterprise, consumer, avionics, and military, to leverage XR capabilities.

Light Field Lab

Series A in 2019
Light Field Lab, Inc. is a technology startup focused on developing holographic capture display systems. Founded in 2017 and based in San Jose, California, the company creates innovative solutions that generate three-dimensional holographic images that can be viewed from multiple angles without the need for head-mounted devices. Its technology aims to project 3D holograms into living spaces, allowing users to experience immersive visuals that respond dynamically to their viewpoint. Additionally, Light Field Lab offers integrated processing and imaging solutions designed to deliver these visuals over commercial network speeds. The company is also working on a universal application programming interface to facilitate the adaptation of existing content for its holographic displays. With a mission to enable a holographic future, Light Field Lab seeks to unlock new business opportunities across both consumer and enterprise markets.

AdHawk Microsystems

Series B in 2019
AdHawk Microsystems Inc. specializes in developing eye and gesture tracking software technology alongside micro-electromechanical systems for mobile and wearable devices. Founded in 2015 and located in Kitchener, Canada, the company offers a camera-free eye tracking system that facilitates mobile data capture and supports advancements in augmented and virtual reality solutions. AdHawk aims to create a seamless layer of technology that intuitively responds to the needs, intents, and emotional states of users, ultimately enhancing their everyday experiences.

Deep Optics

Series B in 2019
Deep Optics Ltd., established in 2011 and headquartered in Petah Tikva, Israel, specializes in the design and manufacture of dynamic focal eyeglasses known as Omnifocals. These innovative eyeglasses utilize advanced liquid crystal lens technology to provide vision correction for over 2 billion individuals requiring multifocal assistance. Deep Optics has made significant strides in developing active lenses that are both effective in optical power and suitable in size for multifocal glasses, addressing the challenges faced by patients with presbyopia and other vision issues. The company's mission is to transform the experience of vision correction, allowing users to see the world naturally and seamlessly.

MOPIC

Venture Round in 2019
MOPIC Co., Ltd. is a South Korean company founded in 2015 and headquartered in Suwon-si. Specializing in 3D technology, MOPIC was established by developers and researchers who previously worked on 3D stereoscopic devices at Samsung Electronics. The company focuses on creating mobile software that enhances 3D video playback, aiming to develop a product that rivals head-mounted displays while maintaining the convenience of traditional 2D viewing. MOPIC's commitment to innovation in 3D stereoscopic technology has been recognized with the CES Innovation award, and its product Snap3D has gained international acclaim.

DigiLens

Series C in 2019
DigiLens Inc. is a developer and manufacturer of optical platform and photopolymer technology solutions specializing in waveguide displays for extended reality (XR) applications. The company offers a range of products, including the Crystal30 and Crystal50 lenses, which enable original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to create customizable XR devices for both enterprise and consumer markets. DigiLens also provides innovative solutions like the DigiLens AutoHUD, which enhances the field of view and reduces component size in heads-up displays, and CrystalClear, an augmented reality heads-up display. In addition to display technologies, DigiLens supplies light engines and hardware development kits, such as Insight30, which assist users in evaluating and developing wearable devices. Founded in 1997 and based in Sunnyvale, California, DigiLens has positioned itself as a leader in holographic waveguide technology, enabling various industries, including automotive, enterprise, consumer, avionics, and military, to leverage XR capabilities.

AdHawk Microsystems

Venture Round in 2019
AdHawk Microsystems Inc. specializes in developing eye and gesture tracking software technology alongside micro-electromechanical systems for mobile and wearable devices. Founded in 2015 and located in Kitchener, Canada, the company offers a camera-free eye tracking system that facilitates mobile data capture and supports advancements in augmented and virtual reality solutions. AdHawk aims to create a seamless layer of technology that intuitively responds to the needs, intents, and emotional states of users, ultimately enhancing their everyday experiences.

Deep Optics

Venture Round in 2019
Deep Optics Ltd., established in 2011 and headquartered in Petah Tikva, Israel, specializes in the design and manufacture of dynamic focal eyeglasses known as Omnifocals. These innovative eyeglasses utilize advanced liquid crystal lens technology to provide vision correction for over 2 billion individuals requiring multifocal assistance. Deep Optics has made significant strides in developing active lenses that are both effective in optical power and suitable in size for multifocal glasses, addressing the challenges faced by patients with presbyopia and other vision issues. The company's mission is to transform the experience of vision correction, allowing users to see the world naturally and seamlessly.

DeepMotion

Venture Round in 2019
DeepMotion is a company focused on developing a motion intelligence platform that brings digital characters and virtual creatures to life through advanced motion technology. Founded in December 2014 in Redwood City, the company specializes in creating tools for lifelike graphics using physical simulation and artificial intelligence. Its platform enables the training of digital actors to exhibit responsive motion skills, such as parkour, dancing, and athletics. By bridging physical and digital motion, DeepMotion allows for the reconstruction of realistic movements from real-world examples, enhancing applications in augmented reality, virtual reality, gaming, film, and robotics. The team, consisting of professionals from leading organizations like Blizzard, Pixar, Disney, and Microsoft, leverages extensive experience to expand creative capabilities and revolutionize real-time, procedural animation.

Niantic

Series C in 2019
Niantic’s mission is to use emerging technology to enrich our experiences as human beings in the physical world. We seek to build products that inspire movement, exploration, and face-to-face social interaction. Originally formed at Google in 2010, we are now an independent company with a strong group of investors including Nintendo, The Pokémon Company, and Alsop Louie Partners. We’re focused on building games that get people outside and exploring by enabling our players to have fun while visiting new places, learning about the world around them, and meeting new friends. We’ve launched Ingress, an immersive real-world mobile game played by millions of people; it's been downloaded more than 20 million times and is played in over 200 countries and territories worldwide. We've also developed Pokémon GO, which has broken records around the world and has been downloaded more than 750 million times in its first year.

Looxid Labs

Series A in 2018
Looxid Labs Inc. is a company based in Seoul, South Korea, that specializes in developing emotion recognition systems for virtual reality (VR) through an eye-brain interface. Founded in 2015, Looxid Labs has created LooxidVR, an innovative VR headset equipped with sensors that assess users' emotional states by monitoring physiological data such as brainwaves, eye movements, and pupil sizes, utilizing advanced machine learning algorithms for analysis. The technology has diverse applications across gaming, medical, and defense sectors. Additionally, the company is working on the "Lucy" project, which aims to develop an assistive communication device for individuals with paralysis, enabling them to communicate with caregivers through gaze and thought. Looxid Labs continues to enhance its VR analytics solutions by integrating hardware, software, and proprietary algorithms to improve the accuracy of emotional analysis.

Aromajoin

Venture Round in 2018
Aromajoin Corporation, founded in 2012 and headquartered in Kyoto, Japan, specializes in the manufacturing and sale of aroma control devices and cartridges. The company develops innovative scent technology that integrates hardware, software, and chemical solutions to digitalize aromas and create new communication channels beyond traditional mediums. Its flagship products include the Aroma Shooter, which employs a space-time aroma control technique, and the Aroma Stage, an internet-based platform that allows users to log in and interact with scents. Aromajoin also creates various content, such as aroma-integrated applications and games, to enhance user experience and engagement through immersive scent-based interactions.

Loom.ai

Seed Round in 2018
Loom.ai is enabling a new era of virtual communication through the creation, animation and sharing of personalized, 3D avatars. Based in San Francisco, and an alumni of the Y Combinator Fellowship, the Academy Award-winning team has created a best-in-class solution powered by deep learning, computer vision and visual effects. In just seconds, Loom.ai can take a single photograph and transform it into a fully representative, 3D avatar as personalized as the individual by recognizing the many nuances that make each face unique. Animatable and expressive in real-time, these avatars can be used to power current and future applications in mobile messaging, entertainment, AR/VR, e-commerce, video conferencing, broadcasting and more. For more information, visit www.loom.ai Loom.ai has received funding from DHVC, Dentsu Ventures, Zach Coelius’ AngelList syndicate, GREE VR Capital, Presence Capital and Anorak Ventures.

PerceptIn

Series A in 2017
PerceptIn, Inc. is a technology company based in Sunnyvale, California, founded in 2016, that specializes in perception, insight, and intelligence solutions. The company develops a range of products, including hardware and a software SDK with embedded algorithms for visual intelligence. Its flagship offering, the PerceptIn Robotics Vision System, allows for real-time tracking and mapping with centimeter-level accuracy, catering to diverse applications. PerceptIn's customer base includes manufacturers of robots, VR/AR devices, content creators, smartphone OEMs, and gaming companies. The company has expanded its technology to various sectors, such as IoT-grade robotics and autonomous driving, positioning itself as a partner in the NVIDIA Inception Program and collaborating with several key technology firms. With offices in California and Shenzhen, China, PerceptIn employs around 30 people and serves over 100 clients, focusing on innovative solutions that enhance operational efficiency and reduce costs. The company has successfully raised significant funding to support its growth and development in the visual intelligence domain.

Imagry

Venture Round in 2017
Imagry LLC specializes in the design and development of a mapless autonomous driving platform that leverages real-time software to navigate environments without relying on traditional maps, GPS, or cloud connectivity. The company's technology is capable of identifying various elements such as roads, routes, vehicles, obstructions, and pedestrians. Central to its innovation is the Aleph Star algorithm, which employs physics-based planning to address perception errors in real-time, enhancing the reliability of its autonomous system. Founded in 2013, Imagry operates out of Columbus, Ohio, and maintains an additional location in Israel.

Corephotonics

Series D in 2017
Corephotonics Ltd. specializes in developing dual camera technologies for mobile devices, aiming to enhance mobile photography. Founded in 2012 and based in Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel, the company offers a range of innovative products, including the Hummingbird camera, which features continuous optical zoom and advanced video capabilities, and the Falcon camera with enhanced autofocus for quicker focus adjustments. Additionally, the Hawkeye camera incorporates optical image stabilization to improve indoor photography by reducing motion blur. Corephotonics also provides dual aperture cameras for improved low-light performance and digital bokeh effects, along with software solutions that enhance low-light and optical zoom capabilities. By collaborating closely with manufacturers from early design stages, Corephotonics ensures its technologies meet specific imaging requirements, facilitating seamless integration into mass production. The company is recognized as a leader in the dual camera market, focusing on delivering high-quality imaging solutions in compact formats.

FOVE

Series A in 2016
Fove, Inc. specializes in the design and manufacture of eye tracking virtual reality headsets. The company's flagship product, the FOVE0 Headset, enables users to navigate immersive 360° virtual environments using their eye movements, allowing for a new level of interaction with digital content. In addition to the FOVE0, Fove offers FOVE Healthcare, a VR device that incorporates self-check services for cognitive function through eye tracking technology, and NeU-VR, a headset that monitors both eye and brain activity. Fove, founded in 2014 and headquartered in Torrance, California, also has an office in Tokyo, Japan. The company develops applications that provide real-time information access for its devices, enhancing the user experience in virtual reality.

bubl

Seed Round in 2015
Bubl Technology Inc. specializes in developing hardware and software technologies, primarily through its flagship product, the Bublcam. This compact spherical camera captures panoramic photos and videos, providing users with a comprehensive 360-degree view of their surroundings. With its innovative design featuring four 190-degree overlapping lenses, the Bublcam allows for immersive content creation that can be controlled via mobile applications on iOS and Android devices. Users can also upload, edit, and share their spherical media through Bubl's web and mobile platforms. The company's services cater to a diverse range of sectors, including electric utilities, transit operators, entertainment media, sports media, real estate, and education. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Toronto, Canada, Bubl Technology Inc. continues to push the boundaries of immersive media technology.

FOVE

Seed Round in 2015
Fove, Inc. specializes in the design and manufacture of eye tracking virtual reality headsets. The company's flagship product, the FOVE0 Headset, enables users to navigate immersive 360° virtual environments using their eye movements, allowing for a new level of interaction with digital content. In addition to the FOVE0, Fove offers FOVE Healthcare, a VR device that incorporates self-check services for cognitive function through eye tracking technology, and NeU-VR, a headset that monitors both eye and brain activity. Fove, founded in 2014 and headquartered in Torrance, California, also has an office in Tokyo, Japan. The company develops applications that provide real-time information access for its devices, enhancing the user experience in virtual reality.

Rounds

Series B in 2015
Rounds is a live social platform that combines live communication and social activities and allows friends to experience life together. It enables users to get together and send text messages, watch videos, play games, share photos, and much more all while video chatting across networks, operating systems, and devices. The platform offers instant group video chat on mobile. As a live communication platform, Rounds allows users to send text messages, video chat with up to 12 participants, and engage in activities while chatting such as watch videos, play games, share photos, and much more. The platform operates across networks, operating systems, and devices. It raises funds from its investors, including Sequoia Capital, Samsung Ventures, Verizon Ventures, DFJ’s Tim Draper, Rhodium, and other private investors. Rounds was launched in 2008 by Dany Fishel and Ilan Leibovich. It is based in Tel Aviv.

Mantis Vision

Series C in 2014
Mantis Vision Ltd. specializes in the development of 3D content creation tools and technologies, focusing on a variety of markets including security, architecture, engineering, construction, research, and consumer electronics. Founded in 2005 and based in Petach Tikva, Israel, the company offers the MVC-F5, a handheld 3D camera designed for field use, which is distributed globally across North America, Europe, Australia, Japan, and Israel. Mantis Vision's innovations are rooted in its proprietary MV4D technology, which enables accurate 3D data capture in dynamic scenes through structured light patterns. This technology facilitates user-generated content creation (UG3D) and supports applications ranging from 3D modeling for professional scanners to integration in mobile devices for features like face recognition and virtual reality environments. The company also holds a strategic partnership with Digital Nation Entertainment, further expanding its reach in the 3D ecosystem.

Replay Technologies

Venture Round in 2014
Replay Technologies Inc. specializes in three-dimensional reconstruction technology for broadcasting events, including sports, news, and film. The company is known for its Free Dimensional Video (FreeD) technology, which enables the creation of dynamic viewing angles using high-speed camera sensors. Its product offerings include the SOLO freeD System, designed to allow users to hover around the action and capture views from any angle within a 180-degree coverage area, and the ARENA freeD System, which features 4K high-resolution capture capabilities for 360-degree coverage. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Newark, California, Replay Technologies operates as a subsidiary of Intel Corporation.

MasterImage 3D

Venture Round in 2011
MasterImage 3D, Inc. develops innovative 3D solutions for theaters and mobile devices, offering a range of products including 3D cinema systems, LCD modules, 3D eyewear, and auto-stereoscopic displays. Established in 2008 and headquartered in Sherman Oaks, California, the company has a global presence with offices in the UK, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. MasterImage 3D has installed its digital 3D cinema systems in over 70 countries, providing audiences with high-quality 3D experiences while offering exhibitors a compelling ownership-based pricing model. The company is known for its pioneering work in 3D technology, having invented and patented the cell-matrix parallax barrier, which has been instrumental in creating glasses-free 3D displays. As of February 2017, MasterImage 3D operates as a subsidiary of RealD Inc.
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