For a startup, patent is an investment in the future
In addition to expertise, Dispelix Ltd has also needed time, funding and strong support teams to commercialise its inventions.
The company was established in 2015.
It develops transparent displays for augmented reality (AR) devices allowing users to see images or text in addition to the reality surrounding them. These devices contain waveguide components and most of them resemble glasses.
Support teams possessing the required expertise help startups to avoid errors
Ten years ago, Antti Sunnari and Juuso Olkkonen, the founders of Dispelix, were studying waveguide components at VTT. Sunnari now works as the company’s CEO, while Olkkonen holds the position of CTO.
In 2011, their team discovered how to eliminate the disruptive rainbow effect in smart glasses by dampening the diffraction of the light passing through nanostructure. The invention was patented.
Support by VTT and expertise in intellectual property rights encouraged the startup to invest in the development of its patent portfolio.
Maija Puustinen, the company’s legal counsel, adds that networking has also played an important role.
“Links should already be established during the early stages of the business operations. Olkkonen and Sunnari also persuaded professor Jyrki Saarinen to join the Dispelix founding team. Saarinen, who has experience in commercialising inventions, heads the Institute of Photonics of the University of Eastern Finland, and we also collaborate with this university."
Funding for Dispelix comes from equity investors and according to Puustinen they have provided the company with valuable professional advice during its early years. Obtaining a patent is also a collaborative effort: one needs a competent patent attorney and patent examiners. Product development teams must also have in-depth knowledge of IPR matters.
“A growing company has little resources for internal training. For this reason, the PRH also plays an important role as a provider of training in Finland’s patent field."
Teppo Häyrynen, Dispelix’s IP Manager, says that he too examined the company’s applications in the PRH as patent engineer as he had a suitable researcher background.
IP Manager Teppo Häyrynen and Legal Counsel Maija Puustinen, Dispelix LtdA narrow field of expertise is both a challenge and an advantage
AR technology is such a new field that only a limited number of experts is available. In fact, according to Puustinen and Häyrynen, Dispelix has a top team in global terms.
“New types of product also make the sector unique. Dispelix is a component supplier, and its products are suitable for both entertainment electronics and industrial use. We have technology companies manufacturing end products as our customers. When their mass production comes on stream, that will also boost our cash flow," Puustinen explains.
Dispelix Ltd
Dispelix Ltd is established in 2015. It develops waveguide components for augmented reality (AR) devices.
The company has operations in Oulu, Espoo and Joensuu, and an office in the United States. An office in China will be opened soon. Dispelix employs about 60 people, most of whom are physicists.
Turnover (2019) nearly EUR 2 million, result EUR -3 million. Providers of funding include VTT, Lifeline Ventures, 3M Ventures, Tesi and Business Finland.
By early 2021, the company had submitted about 40 priority applications to the PRH and filed about 250 international applications.
Finnish text: Päivi Helander
Photos: Nina Kaverinen, Dispelix Ltd