Eyeo secures €15M seed round to focus on ultra-compact high-resolution imaging

Ultra-compact high-resolution imaging could soon be the new normal in smartphones, security cameras, and XR devices. This is thanks to a breakthrough from Dutch startup Eyeo. The Eindhoven-based company has announced a €15M seed funding round to commercialise its novel colour-splitting photonics technology, which significantly enhances light sensitivity and image resolution in camera sensors.
The €15M seed round was co-led byimec.xpandandInvest-NL, with participation from QBIC Fund, High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), and the Brabant Development Agency (BOM). The fresh capital will support Eyeo as it prepares for scale manufacturing, enhances its waveguide-based image sensor architecture, and develops evaluation kits for selected customers. These kits are expected to become available within two years.
Moreover, the investors bring deep experience in supporting cutting-edge photonics and semiconductor startups. For example, imec.xpand has previously backed quantum and nanoelectronics companies such as PsiQuantum and Spectricity. Additionally, Invest-NL has a national mandate to fund sustainable and technologically advanced Dutch ventures, while HTGF has invested in over 700 early-stage startups across Europe.
Whether trying to scan a barcode in a poorly lit warehouse or capture a vivid video on your phone at night, blurry images and noisy colours often result from the limits of existing sensor technology. Eyeo’s innovation addresses this longstanding pain point using nanophotonics to guide light more efficiently through sensors. This captures up to three times more light and produces sharper, more accurate images, even in low-light conditions.
Traditional image sensors rely on red, green, and blue filters layered over individual pixels. These filters block around 70% of incoming light, forcing manufacturers to make sensors larger. This increases the size and energy usage of devices. Eyeo’s ultra-compact high-resolution imaging technology eliminates these filters and post-processing.
Instead, the company uses vertical waveguides to split light into colours and direct individual photons to specific pixels. This results in a massive improvement in native colour fidelity and enables smaller pixel sizes, less than 0.5 microns, without sacrificing performance. The approach is compatible with any CMOS sensor platform, doubles effective resolution, and increases sensitivity. This makes it ideal for everything from mobile devices and security cameras to emerging technologies like AR, VR, and robotics.
Eyeo’s CEO,Jeroen Hoet, said: “Eyeo is fundamentally redefining image sensing by eliminating decades-old limitations. Capturing all incoming light and drastically improving resolution is just the start. This technology paves the way for entirely new applications in imaging, from ultra-compact sensors to enhanced low-light performance, ultra-high resolution, and maximum image quality. We’re not just improving existing systems; we’re creating a new standard for the future of imaging.”
Eyeo began in Eindhoven and keeps an R&D base in Leuven, Belgium, near imec. Here, it first developed its core high-resolution technology. Although the press release does not disclose detailed biographies of the founding team, the company’s roots in one of Europe’s top photonics ecosystems suggest a blend of technical expertise and startup ambition. Moreover, the cross-border setup reflects a pan-European vision for building the future of high-resolution imaging hardware.
The startup’s leadership team includes diverse scientific and entrepreneurial talent:Alden Carracillo, CTO; Jeroen Hoet, CEO;Gerd van den Branden, CPO; and Prof Jan Genoe, Scientific Fellow). Their mission is to transform imaging by rewriting how sensors interact with light. Additionally, the founding story is closely tied to a desire to overcome the inefficiencies of conventional camera systems. These systems continue to struggle with compactness and clarity in real-world environments.
Eyeo has partnered with leading sensor manufacturers and chip foundries to accelerate commercial deployment. The immediate goal is to improve sensor designs and ensure scalability. In the longer term, the company plans to expand into product development for smartphones, VR headsets, robotics, and any device requiring compact, high-performance cameras.
Although companies like Sony, Samsung, and Spectricity compete, Eyeo’s colour-splitting waveguide architecture stands out. It offers a sensor-agnostic, scalable enhancement to traditional CMOS designs, making the technology more accessible for widespread adoption across industries.