Microvision Invests in Laser Development Company

BOTHELL, Wash., Mar. 21 -- Microvision Inc. has made an equity investment in Gemfire Corp., a closely held Palo Alto, Calif.-based developer of high-intensity laser light sources. Gemfire has developed proprietary technologies that use standard, low-cost components and planar processing techniques to enable volume production of high-brightness red, green and blue laser sources. In conjunction with Microvision's beam-scanning technologies, the companies expect these light sources to make possible direct-view rear-projection displays, in addition to a variety of high performance head-mounted display solutions based on Microvision's retinal scanning display technology.
Other strategic investors in the recent Gemfire private placement include Intel, Eastman Kodak and Ricoh, as well as venture capital firms Mohr Davidow Ventures and Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield and Byers.