$10m for software-defined 4D LiDAR-on-Chip

Lidwave in Israel has raised $10m in seed funding to develop its optical chip to launch the industry’s first software-definable 4D LiDAR sensor

Lidwave’s proprietary Finite Coherent Ranging (FCR) technology integrates all critical components onto a single chip, simplifying production and drastically reducing costs. By combining lasers, amplifiers, receivers, and optical routing onto one chip, Lidwave not only reduces production costs but also makes this powerful technology more accessible and reliable for a wide range of industries. 

The Lidwave seed round was led by Jumpspeed Ventures and Next Gear Ventures with strategic investment from a leading Swedish truck manufacturer. 

Unlike conventional LiDARs, Lidwave’s coherent sensing method provides Doppler (velocity) data at the pixel level alongside depth information.

• AI LiDAR rollout for airport safety 

Legacy LiDAR systems have dozens of elements including arrays of lasers, detectors, and optical components, assembled through a complex and costly process. The software defined 4D LiDAR allows for an affordable System-on-Chip LiDAR designed for the mass market.

“This investment marks a significant milestone for Lidwave, propelling us closer to our goal of revolutionizing machine vision,” said Yehuda Vidal, Lidwave’s CEO and Co-founder. “Our 4D LiDAR chip not only sets a new standard for sensor performance but also makes advanced perception technology accessible to the mass market. We are thrilled to have the support of visionary investors who share our mission to enhance safety and productivity across various industries.”

“Over the last decade, we have witnessed significant progress in sensor technology. At the same time, we’ve encountered tremendous challenges in establishing sensor configurations that meet the right cost, quality, and reliability,” said Dr. Tal Cohen, Founding Partner at Next Gear Ventures. “We believe that Lidwave’s on-chip novel technology presents significant breakthroughs and provides the maturing market with the solution it has been waiting for.”

“We recognized the potential of LiDAR technology many years ago, but only now, with Lidwave, there is a clear pathway to scalability and wide adoption,” said Ben Wiener, Founding Partner at Jumpspeed Ventures. “Lidwave’s revolutionary 4D chip overcomes the barriers of legacy LiDARs, reducing the complexities and costs associated with their deployment. We pride ourselves on investing in cutting-edge technologies that are positioned to fundamentally transform industries, and with this in mind, we look forward to the impact Lidwave will make.”

Lidwave’s seed round also saw participation from additional investors, including Sapir Venture Partners, OurCrowd, Teramips Technologies, Beyond-Electronics, Howard Morgan (MFCIF), and the Israel Innovation Authority (non-dilutive).