Eyeo imaging receives 15 million euros in seed financing

Eindhoven, May 7, 2025 - The Dutch-Belgian startup Eyeo B.V. has secured seed funding of 15 million euros. The aim of the young company is to make image sensors significantly more powerful. To achieve this, Eyeo-imaging uses a new technology for color separation that makes conventional color filters superfluous.

Old technology slows down cameras

Around ten billion image sensors are sold worldwide every year. However, according to the start-up, these sensors are inefficient. The reason: they are based on decades-old technology in which color filters are attached above each pixel. These filters block around 70 percent of the incident light. This reduces light sensitivity - and therefore image quality.

The limitations of this technology are particularly evident in poor lighting conditions. To compensate for this, smartphone manufacturers often install larger sensors. Although this improves performance, it also makes the devices bulkier.

New color separation instead of filters

Eyeo imaging wants to solve this problem. The start-up replaces the color filters with a so-called waveguide technology. The light is guided into vertical waveguides that separate it by color and guide it specifically to the pixels. The pixels thus receive complete color information without losing any light.

According to the start-up, this "single-photon guiding technology" ensures three times the light sensitivity of previous sensors. At the same time, color accuracy is improved, an advantage especially in low-light applications.

The technology is compatible with existing sensor platforms and enables particularly small pixels of less than 0.5 micrometers. This makes the solution suitable for very compact cameras with high resolution, for example in smartphones, VR glasses, industrial devices or security systems.

Use of the funding

The 15 million euros were invested under the leadership of imec.xpand and Invest-NL. Other backers include the High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), the QBIC Fund and the Brabant Development Agency (BOM).

The start-up intends to use the funds to develop initial prototypes and evaluation kits. In addition, series production is to be prepared and strategic partnerships expanded. The aim is to establish the new technology in various markets. The first products should be available to selected customers in the next two years. Already now Eyeo B.V. is already working with leading manufacturers of image sensors and foundries.

New standards in imaging

According to CEO Jeroen Hoet, the technology not only offers an improvement to existing camera systems. Rather, it is the beginning of a new generation of image processing. The full use of incident light opens up completely new possibilities, from ultra-compact sensors and better performance in low light to significantly higher resolution.

High-Tech Gründerfonds also sees great potential. Anne Umbach, Investment Manager at HTGF, calls the start-up a potential European technology leader. The image quality, especially in difficult lighting conditions, is a decisive advantage for markets such as security and mobile applications.

The startup leaves stealth mode

Eyeo B.V. is headquartered in Eindhoven (Netherlands) and conducts research and development in Leuven (Belgium). The technology is based on developments from the imec research center. With the combination of nanophotonic technology and scalable production, the start-up aims to fundamentally improve image sensors. The approach: photons are no longer filtered, but guided directly and efficiently to the pixels.

The young company could thus not only improve existing systems, but also set a new standard for the future of image processing.