Samsung leads $13.5m round for Japan’s Kyulux

According to a statement, the round also included participation by a number of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) panel manufacturers and a group of unspecified Japanese venture funds.

The investment coincides with the company's acquisition of an OLED-related patent portfolio from Kyushu University. "We have brought in some key global OLED leaders and world renowned investors who will give us a strong base to accelerate the market for this next generation of OLED technology," Kyulux CEO Christopher Savoie said.

Kyulux is developing OLED lights that are said to be more environmentally safe and cheaper to produce than current display technology, which depends on the use of rare metals. The company expects to benefit from medium-term growth in this sector on the back of plans by Apple to introduce OLED technology to its iPhone products in 2018. The global OLED market is estimated to be worth more than $32 billion in 2020.

Established in 1999, Samsung focuses on investments in semiconductors, telecommunications, software, internet-related businesses, the bio-engineering and medical industries, and the media industry. Targets range from start-ups to established companies close to public listings.

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• Topics
• North Asia
• Technology
• Early-stage
• Venture
• Japan
• Samsung Venture Investment