Startups Funding in January 2022

Semiconductor Engineering publishes "Startup Funding: January 2022" There is a number of imaging startups in the list, mostly from China:

1. Keyang Semiconductor (KYS) raised over CNY 100.0M (~$15.8M) in a strategic investment. The company offers packaging and testing services, with a focus on wafer-level packaging, TSV packages, and fingerprint recognition devices. The funds will be used to upgrade its CIS production line. Founded in 2013, it is based in Suzhou, China.
2. Hefei Sensor Turnkey Service (HSTS) raised nearly CNY 50.0M (~$7.9M) in a Series A round that included Hefei Industry Investment Group. HSTS specializes in CIS packaging and testing services covering 8-inch and 12-inch wafer testing, grinding, cutting, and module and terminal IC testing. Funds will be used to purchase equipment and in development of new production lines. Founded in 2020, it is based in Hefei, China.
3. Silicon Integrated raised “several hundred million yuan” (CNY 100.0M is ~$15.8M) in Series D financing led by Wuyuan Capital, joined by ByteDance, Juhua Chuanxin Investment, and existing shareholders including Huaye Tiancheng and Source Code Capital. Silicon Integrated line of ToF 3D  sensors uses BSI process with applications in face identification, AR/VR, motion capture, 3D modeling, machine vision, and automotive. It is also investing in color temperature detection for OLED screens, multispectral sensing, and ranging. Funds will be used for further iteration and commercialization of existing product lines, expanding to new products, and hiring. Founded in 2016, it is based in Wuhan, China.
4. GWIC, also known as North GuangWei, raised an undisclosed amount in strategic financing from Fujirui Optoelectronics. GWIC produces uncooled infrared detectors for military, automotive, security, and other night vision applications. Founded in 2006, it is based in Beijing, China.
5. Mojo Vision raised $45.0M in Series B financing from Amazon Alexa Fund, PTC, Edge Investments, HiJoJo Partners, and others. Existing investors New Enterprise Associates, Liberty Global Ventures, Advantech Capital, AME Cloud Ventures, Dolby Family Ventures, Motorola Solutions Venture Capital, and Open Field Capital also participated. Mojo Vision’s contact lens uses a self-designed low power image sensor. The company is currently working on FDA approval. A particular focus for the company is providing performance data and real-time stats to athletes, and it has partnered with several sports apparel and app brands. Founded in 2015, it is based in Saratoga, California, USA.
6. Owl Autonomous Imaging drew $15.0M in Series A funding. OwlAI offers a monocular 3D thermal imaging and ranging solutions for automotive active safety systems. The company says the system is particularly good at detecting pedestrians and cyclists more quickly than other sensor types and works in poor lighting and weather conditions. Founded in 2018, it is based in Fairport, New York, USA.
7. Lidar developer RoboSense received an undisclosed amount in strategic investment from EV company BYD. RoboSense is aiming to go public in Hong Kong later this year. Founded in 2014, it is based in Shenzhen, China.
8. VisionICs Microelectronics raised “hundreds of millions of yuan” (CNY 100.0M is ~$15.8M) in strategic financing from Chendao Capital, GoerTek, BYD, and others. The startup develops SPAD dToF sensors, with products including both 1D dToF and 3D dToF chips. Applications include robotic vacuum cleaners, UAVs, and mobile phones, as well as AR/VR, smart home, and automotive lidar. Funding will be used for mass production and developing new products. Founded in 2018, it is based in Nanjing, China.
9. Automotive lidar startup Zvision Technologies, also known as Yijing Technology, raised “hundreds of millions of yuan” (CNY 100.0M is ~$15.8M) in pre-Series C funding from Xpeng Motors, Shang Qi Capital, Dongfeng Asset Management, and Intel Capital. The startup develops solid state MEMS lidar systems with long-range and short-range options. Funds will be used for R&D and to move to mass production. Based in Beijing, China, the company was founded in 2017.