Distance Technologies Ltd, a pioneer in glasses-free mixed reality technology, has successfully secured €10 million in a Seed funding round.
This investment follows the company’s earlier pre-seed funding of $2.7 million just three months prior, reflecting strong interest in its innovative solutions.
The round was led by GV (Google Ventures), marking its first investment in a Finnish company, with additional support from FOV Ventures and Maki.vc.
Glasses-Free Mixed Reality Technology for Transparent Surfaces
The company’s groundbreaking technology allows any transparent surface, such as a windscreen or window, to display mixed reality content without the need for glasses or headsets.
Users can view stunning visuals seamlessly integrated with the real world, thanks to Distance’s patented per-pixel optical depth capability, which provides infinite depth and covers the entire field of view. This technology eliminates the reliance on external devices, allowing for a natural viewing experience without eye strain.
Distance Technologies first unveiled its proof-of-concept at the Augmented World Expo USA 2024 in June, garnering significant industry acclaim. The technology, often seen as a “Holy Grail” for mixed reality, enhances any view through transparent surfaces with computer-generated visuals and situational data specific to the user’s location.
Potential Applications in Automotive and Defense Industries
Designed for integration into advanced automotive and defense systems, Distance’s technology is currently under evaluation by leading automotive OEMs for potential use in windshields and windows. Additionally, Tier-1 defense contractors and aviation companies are exploring its application in both military and commercial cockpits.
Distance’s glasses-free mixed reality solutions are positioned to transform the automotive, aerospace, and defense sectors by creating immersive environments that deliver actionable insights.
This investment aligns with Google’s renewed focus on the AR/VR market, as seen in its strategic partnership with Magic Leap earlier this year.
Speaking about the investment, Roni Hiranand, Principal at GV, said,
We believe Distance has the potential to transform experiences across a wide range of industries and drive significant disruption. Distance provides an open ecosystem, enabling manufacturers and integrators to accelerate the merging of the physical and digital worlds in various applications. We’ve been impressed by the team’s rapid development of this technology, and we’re excited to support them as they expand into these crucial sectors.
Speaking about the funding, Urho Konttori, CEO and Co-founder of Distance Technologies Ltd., said,
Our vision has always been to bring the power of mixed reality to everyone, whether through a headset or not, making it a transformative and accessible experience across industries like automotive, defense, and aeronautics.
Working with GV, who not only recognizes this potential but also made their first country investment through Distance, is incredibly energizing. Their decision to lead this round is a strong endorsement of our technology, our team, and our mission to integrate this groundbreaking technology into everyday experiences and impact billions of lives.