QD Laser
QD Laser is a Japanese photonics company developing quantum dot semiconductor lasers (532-1310nm) and proprietary VISIRIUM retinal projection eyewear for visual impairment. Products serve industrial datacom, biomedical, and consumer accessibility markets through enterprise channels and direct retail.
- Company typePublic
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersKawasaki, Japan
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What QD Laser does
QD Laser Co., Ltd. (株式会社QDレーザ, TSE Growth: 6613) is a Japanese photonics company founded in 2006 as a spin-off from Fujitsu and Fujitsu Laboratories, headquartered in Yokohama (relocated from Kawasaki in April 2026) with 51-100 employees. The company develops two interrelated technology platforms: (1) quantum dot semiconductor lasers spanning visible (532nm) to near-infrared (1310nm) wavelengths used in silicon photonics datacom, sensing, precision machining, and biomedical applications, and (2) VISIRIUM, a proprietary retinal projection technology that uses RGB lasers and MEMS mirrors to project focus-free images directly onto the retina. Products include quantum dot lasers, DFB lasers, Fabry-Perot lasers, and epitaxial wafers; the RETISSA consumer eyewear line (Display II, ON HAND, VIEWCLEAR); and RETISSA Medical, a Japan-approved Class 2 medical device for visual acuity correction in patients with irregular astigmatism.
The company makes money primarily through hardware sales across both business lines: semiconductor lasers and wafers to industrial/datacom customers (with a 60,000-unit silicon photonics laser order in 2023), and RETISSA products to consumers and medical institutions. Go-to-market is a hybrid of enterprise channel sales (Sony for the DSC-HX99 RNV kit, TDK for XR glasses optical engines, Fujitsu Electronics, Santen Pharmaceutical for medical sales, Seed Co.) and direct-to-consumer distribution (own e-commerce, Bic Camera retail, RETISSA Experience SPOT optical shops, crowdfunding, eBay for US). Pricing is open for consumer products and regulated for the medical device, with no disclosed subscription or ARR model.
Recent strategic direction emphasizes platform expansion rather than single-product depth: a 2026 cooperation agreement with TDK for XR glasses optical engines, the May 2026 RETISSA VIEWCLEAR smartphone accessory, the October 2024 Lantana compact visible laser, integrated eye-tracking, and a Chinese market partnership with He Vision position the company to address consumer AR/XR, mobile accessibility, and optical datacom in addition to its traditional industrial and medical laser business.
QD Laser firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- QD Laser
- Legal name
- 株式会社QDレザ
- Website
- https://qdlaser.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 2006
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- QD Laser is a Japanese photonics company developing quantum dot semiconductor lasers (532-1310nm) and proprietary VISIRIUM retinal projection eyewear for visual impairment. Products serve industrial datacom, biomedical, and consumer accessibility markets through enterprise channels and direct retail.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
QD Laser industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Semiconductor Lasers and Photonics Devices
- NAICS
- Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing (339115)
- SIC
- Semiconductors & Related Devices (3674), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Optoelectronic Emitters (LED/Laser/VCSEL) (HDAHALAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Optoelectronic / Photonics Foundries (Silicon Photonics/LED/Laser) (HDAHACAG), Optics & Laser/Light Engine Components (Lenses, Galvos, Laser Modules, UV Engines) (IMAAAIAC)
Keywords
Where QD Laser is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kawasaki
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices2 records
Markets served
QD Laser business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Semiconductor Lasers and Epitaxial Wafers: Sale of quantum dot lasers, DFB lasers, Fabry-Perot lasers, and epitaxial wafers for industrial, medical, sensing, and communications applications.
- RETISSA Retinal Projection Products: Sale of retinal projection eyewear products including RETISSA Display II, RETISSA Medical (medical device), RETISSA ON HAND, and accessories like RD2CAM camera and DSC-HX99 RNV kit.
- Fiber Lasers and Amplifiers: Sale of fiber laser and fiber amplifier products through Cybel brand partnership.
- Laser Optical Solutions: Laser optical solutions and systems integration for industrial and medical applications.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | RETISSA Display II - Consumer retinal projection eyewear |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels11 records
QD Laser product offering
Product offeringCore offering
QD Laser develops and manufactures high-performance quantum dot semiconductor lasers and proprietary VISIRIUM retinal projection technology. Its core offerings include quantum dot lasers, DFB lasers, Fabry-Perot lasers, and epitaxial wafers for industrial, sensing, datacom, and silicon photonics applications, alongside the RETISSA line of retinal projection eyewear (consumer, medical, and magnification-reader devices) for visually impaired users. The company sells both direct-to-consumer products (e.g., RETISSA Display II, RETISSA VIEWCLEAR) and B2B laser components and systems through distributors and channel partners.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- RETISSA: Retinal projection eyewear products including RETISSA Display, RETISSA Display II, RETISSA Medical, RETISSA ON HAND, RETISSA VIEWCLEAR, and RETISSA SUPER CAPTURE
- VISIRIUM
- Lantana
- Cybel
Products and services
- RETISSA Display II Second-generation retinal scanning laser eyewear (head-mounted display) using VISIRIUM technology that projects images directly onto the retina via RGB laser and MEMS mirror. Connects via HDMI to display digital content with free-focus characteristics, suitable for users with visual impairments.
- RETISSA Medical Class 2 medical device (managed medical device) using retinal projection technology for visual impairment correction in patients with irregular astigmatism who cannot achieve adequate vision with glasses or contact lenses.
- RETISSA ON HAND Retinal projection-type magnification reader for visually impaired users. Projects magnified images directly onto the retina for reading assistance. Available for rent or purchase.
- RETISSA VIEWCLEAR
Quantifiable outcome
- Vision acuity of 0.8 achievable with RETISSA Display II for refractive error -11D to +6D range
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use QD Laser
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
QD Laser technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
QD Laser partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic, key and minor.
- TDK CorporationcoreBusiness cooperation agreement signed for XR glasses optical engine using retinal projection technology. TDK develops and supplies optical components while QD Laser provides retinal projection technology. Demonstrated at multiple CEATEC events.
- RibercoreOrder received for MBE 6000 production system to scale quantum dot laser production for optical datacom sector. Third MBE 6000 project within one month, confirming platform as reference industrial solution for photonic applications.
- He Vision Industrial Group / AiRobo (Japan)strategicBasic agreement signed for business partnership regarding laser retinal projection products. He Vision is a Chinese company in the visual assistance field.
- Sony CorporationcoreJoint product development of DSC-HX99 RNV kit retinal projection camera kit, sold through Sony Stores nationwide and online. Combines Sony camera with QD Laser retinal projection technology.
- Santen PharmaceuticalkeySales support contract for RETISSA Medical in Japan. Santen provides marketing and sales support for the medical device targeting eye clinics.
- Intermestic (Zoff)strategicBusiness partnership with Zoff (operated by Intermestic) for research and development collaboration on retinal projection eyewear through Zoff Eye Performance Studio (ZEPS).
- Fujitsu ElectronicskeySales agency contract for RETISSA series products. Fujitsu Electronics distributes QD Laser retinal projection products.
- Seed Co.keySales agency contract for RETISSA series products. Seed is a major Japanese contact lens and eyewear company.
- SoftBank / amanaminorJoint exhibition at Maker Faire Tokyo 2019, combining voice recognition with binocular retinal projection technology in BABEL device concept.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
QD Laser competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Hamamatsu Photonics: Japanese photonics major producing semiconductor lasers, photodetectors, and optoelectronic components across sensing, medical, and industrial applications. Comparable as a domestic Japanese photonics incumbent operating in overlapping laser and optoelectronics categories with QD Laser.
- Sony Semiconductor Solutions: Sony's semiconductor arm develops laser diodes, image sensors, and microdisplay technologies used in cameras, AR/VR, and sensing. Comparable as both a partner (DSC-HX99 RNV kit) and a broad incumbent with overlapping semiconductor laser and AR/VR display capabilities.
- Coherent Corp: Global photonics leader manufacturing laser diodes, VCSELs, and semiconductor lasers for datacom, 3D sensing, and industrial applications. Directly comparable in the quantum dot / semiconductor laser and silicon photonics supply chain where QD Laser is positioning.
- Lumentum Holdings: Major US-based supplier of photonic products including DFB lasers, VCSELs, and optical components for datacom, 3D sensing, and industrial laser markets. Comparable as a broader incumbent in the same semiconductor laser and silicon photonics categories as QD Laser.
- IPG Photonics: World leader in fiber lasers and amplifiers used in industrial materials processing and medical applications. Comparable via QD Laser's Cybel-branded fiber laser and amplifier product line and overlapping industrial laser customer base.
- Jenoptik: German photonics company providing semiconductor laser sources, optical systems, and laser material processing solutions. Comparable as a European photonics incumbent overlapping in semiconductor lasers and laser optical solutions.
Direct peers
- nLIGHT: US-based manufacturer of high-power semiconductor lasers and fiber lasers for industrial, defense, and sensing applications. Closely comparable as a direct competitor in semiconductor laser technology serving similar industrial and sensing end markets.
- SLD Laser (Sony Group): Developer of visible and white laser light sources based on semi-polar GaN and quantum well technology for specialty lighting, automotive, and consumer applications. Comparable as a specialist in novel semiconductor laser technology with overlapping wavelength and application coverage.
Emerging players
- eMagin (now Samsung Display acquisition): Developer of OLED microdisplays for AR/VR, military, and medical near-eye applications. Comparable in the near-eye display technology space that intersects with QD Laser's retinal projection eyewear, though using a different display approach.
Others
- TDK Corporation: Japanese electronics components giant that partnered with QD Laser in 2026 to co-develop XR glasses optical engines using retinal projection. Comparable as both a strategic partner and an adjacent component supplier enabling QD Laser's VISIRIUM technology in the XR category.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
QD Laser social profiles
Digital presenceQD Laser compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
QD Laser financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
QD Laser leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
QD Laser funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds8 records
Investors30 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
QD Laser M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about QD Laser
What does QD Laser do?
QD Laser develops and manufactures high-performance quantum dot semiconductor lasers and proprietary VISIRIUM retinal projection technology. Its core offerings include quantum dot lasers, DFB lasers, Fabry-Perot lasers, and epitaxial wafers for industrial, sensing, datacom, and silicon photonics applications, alongside the RETISSA line of retinal projection eyewear (consumer, medical, and magnification-reader devices) for visually impaired users. The company sells both direct-to-consumer products (e.g., RETISSA Display II, RETISSA VIEWCLEAR) and B2B laser components and systems through distributors and channel partners.
Is QD Laser a public or private company?
QD Laser is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was QD Laser founded?
QD Laser was founded in 2006. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is QD Laser based?
QD Laser is headquartered in Kawasaki, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does QD Laser make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Semiconductor Lasers and Epitaxial Wafers are the primary driver. The others are RETISSA Retinal Projection Products, fiber Lasers and Amplifiers and laser Optical Solutions.
Who are QD Laser's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Hamamatsu Photonics, Sony Semiconductor Solutions, Coherent Corp, Lumentum Holdings, IPG Photonics and Jenoptik. Direct peers are nLIGHT and SLD Laser (Sony Group). eMagin (now Samsung Display acquisition) is listed as an emerging player. TDK Corporation is listed as an others.
Does QD Laser have an API?
No public API is recorded for QD Laser.
What industry is QD Laser in?
QD Laser's product category is Semiconductor Lasers and Photonics Devices. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAHALAL, Optoelectronic Emitters (LED/Laser/VCSEL), with a secondary code of HDAHACAG, Optoelectronic / Photonics Foundries (Silicon Photonics/LED/Laser). Its NAICS code is 339115 and its SIC code is 3674.