Foxconn and UMC join Samsung as investors in LensVector

MOUNTAIN VIEW, USA: LensVector Inc., a leader in solid-state optical components for camera phones, laptops and other consumer electronics, announced that UMC and Foxconn Technology Group have joined Samsung as investors in the company’s $30 million Series C financing round.

Other investors joining the Series C round include TransLink Capital and Harbor Pacific. The proceeds will be used to expand LensVector operations and bring the total financial backing of the company to more than $50 million.

“These investments are strong industry endorsements from the top players in mobile consumer electronics, and we are poised to make significant contributions to the industry with our breakthrough optical technology,” said LensVector CEO Derek Proudian.

LensVector has developed breakthrough optical technology that can shape, steer and focus light without mechanical movement. Sampling today with key customers, LensVector technology replaces the complex, bulky and often fragile mechanical autofocus mechanisms currently found in camera phones with a simple and easy-to-integrate solid-state component.

“LensVector’s unique technology makes advanced camera features, previously only available in point and shoot digital still cameras or high-end handsets, practical for every camera phone,” said Brian Kang, managing director of Samsung Ventures America. “LensVector autofocus has the potential to greatly expand the market, with increased revenue opportunities for service providers and an improved picture-taking experience for consumers all over the world. The technology is also perfect for video.”

“Foxconn is both the leading provider of camera module solutions and mobile phone contract manufacturing services in the world, and LensVector’s technology has great promise to help Foxconn deliver superior products to our customers,” said Foxconn. “LensVector allows autofocus to be deployed in phones that historically have been unable to support this feature because mechanical solutions were either too large or too expensive to be deployed.”