Eyeo Secures €15 Million to Transform Image Sensor Technology
Netherlands, Wednesday, 7 May 2025.
Dutch startup Eyeo has raised €15 million to advance its color-splitting sensor tech, promising a threefold increase in light sensitivity and enhanced image resolution for various applications.
Revolutionary Approach to Image Sensing
Based in Eindhoven with an R&D office in Leuven, Eyeo has emerged from stealth mode with technology that fundamentally reimagines how image sensors capture color [1]. The funding round was co-led by imec.xpand and Dutch impact investor Invest-NL, with additional participation from QBIC Fund, High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), and Brabant Development Agency (BOM) [2][3]. The company’s breakthrough stems from research originally developed at imec, the renowned Belgian nanoelectronics center, where Eyeo was spun out in 2024 [4].
Technical Innovation
The innovation addresses a critical limitation in current image sensor technology, where traditional RGB filters block approximately 70% of incoming light [5]. Eyeo’s solution replaces these conventional color filters with vertical waveguides that split incoming light into different wavelengths, directing them to appropriate pixels [2]. This technological advancement enables sensors to capture nearly all available light, resulting in a threefold increase in light sensitivity compared to existing technologies [2][5].
Market Applications and Future Prospects
The technology’s applications span multiple sectors, from ultra-slim smartphones to high-resolution AR/VR headsets and advanced security cameras [4]. CEO Jeroen Hoet emphasizes that this innovation goes beyond mere improvement, stating, ‘Eyeo is fundamentally redefining image sensing by eliminating decades-old limitations’ [3]. The company plans to utilize the funding to develop evaluation kits and prepare for large-scale production [2], with the first prototypes expected to reach selected customers by May 6, 2027 [4].
Market Impact and Development Timeline
The technology represents a significant advancement in the $25 billion image sensor market [6]. By enabling smaller pixel sizes below 0.5 micrometers while doubling effective resolution [2], Eyeo’s innovation promises to transform applications requiring precision imaging, such as computational photography, machine vision, and spatial computing [2]. The company has already established partnerships with leading image sensor manufacturers and foundries to accelerate commercialization [4].