JBD China secures $140M in record MicroLED Series B2 funding

Select Language:

Chinese MicroLED display manufacturer JBD has secured over 1 billion yuan (approximately $140 million USD) in a Series B2 funding round, setting a new record for individual investment within the global MicroLED sector.

This funding was led by a Shanghai-based investment firm and the private equity division of a major securities company, with participation from several other stakeholders, including existing investor Lightspeed China Partners. The startup announced the round publicly today.

The capital raised will support JBD’s efforts to enhance its technological innovation and product development in MicroLED displays, as well as to build a consumer-grade augmented reality ecosystem alongside industry partners. The company aims to leverage its technological strengths and experience in market commercialization to expand into large-scale manufacturing on a global scale.

In August, JBD completed a Series B1 round, gathering several hundred million yuan from investors like the same Shanghai-based investment firm and a local science and technology innovation fund.

Founded in 2015, JBD specializes in MicroLED display technology for high-resolution devices, including head-mounted displays and automotive screens. According to the company, its products are now featured in nearly 50 models of smart glasses.

As artificial intelligence advances rapidly, the integration of AI with augmented reality continues to accelerate, fueling significant growth in consumer smart glasses. MicroLED, as the leading display technology for AR devices, is expected to play a pivotal role in making smart glasses more mainstream.

Market research indicates that shipments of smart glasses worldwide hit 4.1 million units in the first half of this year, representing a 64% increase compared to the previous year. Chinese manufacturers captured roughly 27% of this market.

Projections from industry analysts suggest that global smart glasses shipments could surpass 40 million units by 2029. Meanwhile, China’s market is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 56% between 2024 and 2029, making it the fastest-growing market segment globally.