QD Laser

QD Laser

Company

Top - Company

Company Profile

Company name
QD Laser, Inc.
HQ
Postal code 210-0855
Keihin Building 1st floor,
1-1 Minamiwatarida-cho,
Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture
Directions
Listed Market
Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market
Securities Code
6613
Establishment
April 2006
President and CEO
Kiyoshi Okubo
Director
Osamu Nagao
Directors
Kaoru Hatano *
Satoru Uchida *
(Member of the Audit Committee)
Hiroki Mori *
(Member of the Audit Committee)
Osamu Matsushita *
(Member of the Audit Committee)
*Outside Director as set forth in Article 2-15 of the Companies Act
Executive Officer
Keizo Takemasa
Masaru Kuwabara
Yutaka Onishi
Hisato Hosoyama
Advisor
Mitsuru Sugawara
(Founder and Superintendent)
Yasuhiko Arakawa
(Professor at the University of Tokyo)
Accounting Auditor
Miogi Audit Corporation
Work permits, etc.
Second-class marketing license for medical devices (14B2X10039 / approved on March 16, 2017)
Registration of medical equipment manufacturer (14BZ200265 / registered on February 13, 2017)
Certification
ISO9001 Acquired January 2012
Quality policy
Our company seeks to satisfy customers through the development and supply of original, highly efficient semiconductor lasers and optical information devices for communications and diverse industries. We will continuously improve the effectiveness of our quality management system to meet market demands in a timely manner.

History

April 2006
Signed a research outsourcing contract with Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd. for "Research on quantum dot laser and optical amplifiers”.
April 2006
Established the optical device venture company QD Laser, Inc. based on Fujitsu quantum dot laser technology using venture capital funds from Fujitsu Ltd. and Mitsui & Co., Ltd.
June 2006
Concluded a joint research agreement with The University of Tokyo on "Research on crystal growth technology of quantum dots”.
September 2006
Won a Runner-Up Award for the Semiconductor category at The Wall Street Journal Technology Innovation Awards 2006.
September 2006
Received a second grant from the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) for the "Practical development of quantum dot lasers for optical communication".
June 2007
Mitsuru Sugawara, President and CEO of QD Laser, received the Prime Minister's Award at the 5th Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration conference.
February 2008
Realized the world's first quantum dot laser for optical communication capable of operating at temperatures between -40 and 100℃.
September 2008
Received a second grant from the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) for the "Practical development of quantum dot DFB lasers for optical communication".
December 2008
Raised a total 700 million yen in funds mainly from Mizuho Capital Co., Ltd.
January 2009
Quantum dot lasers were named the "Winner for Telecommunications" in IEEE Spectrum magazine.
March 2009
The world's first commercial mass production of quantum dot lasers for 10 Gbps optical communication.
October 2010
Quantum dot lasers won the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Award at the Green IT Awards 2010.
December 2010
Raised a total of 800 million yen in funds mainly from existing stockholders.
April 2011
Commercialized the DFB laser module with 1064 nm wavelength and superior single mode oscillation characteristics.
January 2012
Acquired ISO9001 certification.
January 2012
Developed a compact green laser module with 532 nm wavelength, maximum output over 100 mW and high-speed modulation capabilities, as well as compact (0.5 cc) yellow-green and orange laser modules with high-speed modulation capabilities.
April 2012
"Semiconductor quantum dot laser for communication" received an award for excellence at the 2011 Laser Society Industry Awards.
February 2014
Development of a 400 mW DFB laser module with 1064 nm wavelength.
February 2014
The "compact 561 nm laser module" was nominated as a Prism Awards finalist at Photonics West 2014.
April 2014
Commercialized picosecond pulse driver board with 1μm wavelength band DFB laser module.
June 2014
Developed a wearable "Laser Eyewear" information terminal.
July 2014
Mitsuru Sugawara, President and CEO of QD Laser; Keizo Takemasa, Director of the Laser Device Department; Kenichi Nishi, Deputy Director won the 2014 Aron Kressel Award from the IEEE Photonic Society.
March 2016
Won the 1st JEITA Venture Awards.
April 2016
Started a medical application SLO (scanning laser ophthalmoscopy) technology study group. Founder: Professor Satoshi Kato, Chairman of the Japan Society for Low-vision Research and Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology course in the Faculty of Medicine at The University of Tokyo Sponsor company: QD Laser, Inc.
October 2016
Established the Market Emergence of Retinal Imaging Technology (MERIT) consortium.
October 2016
Won the 16th Yamazaki Teiichi Prize for “Improvement of Communication Wavelength Band Quantum Dot Laser, its Practical Application and Mass Production”.
October 2016
“Retinal scanning laser eyewear technology” won U.S. Media Panel Innovation Awards Grand Prix at CEATEC JAPAN 2016.
October 2016
“Retinal scanning laser eyewear technology” won the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Award at CEATEC JAPAN 2016.
February 2017
"Ultra-short Pulsed Seeder for Fiber Laser" won an award at the Photonics West Prism Awards 2017.
April 2017
Received the WIRED Audi Innovation Award 2017.
February 2018
"Development and manufacture of semiconductor quantum dot lasers with high-temperature features" won an award at the 33rd Kenjiro Sakurai Memorial Awards.
April 2018
Started accepting corporate orders for the RETISSA® Display.
October 2018
RETISSA® Display won second prize for “Wearable Awards” at the NIKKEI xTECH EXPO AWARD 2018.
October 2018
Started accepting individual orders for the RETISSA® Display.
February 2019
RETISSA® Display won the PRISM AWARDS 2019.
April 2019
Practiced third-party allocation of shares.
April 2019
The “QLD106G-6410 series of ultrashort-pulse 1064 nm DFB seed lasers” won the industrial encouragement award of the 11th Laser Society of Japan.
June 2019
QD Laser employee and a visual disorder Judo player, Shinsuke Ishikawa, won 1st place at the IBSA Judo Asia & Oceania Championships Japan National Team candidate selection competition (-100kg class).
October 2019
Started accepting advance orders for the RETISSA® Display II.
October 2019
Acquired EN ISO 13485 certification.
January 2020
Acquired manufacturing and sales approval for a medical device for people with low vision, “RETISSA® MEDICAL”
February 2021
Listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers Market
March 2021
Started sales of medical device retinal scanning laser eyewear "RETISSA Medical"
October 2021
Started sample sales of compact multi-color lasers and drivers
January 2022
Our method for evaluating overall image quality of scanning retinal projection devices was published as IEC 62906-5-5:2022
April 2022
Transitioned from the Mothers Market to the Growth Market due to the reorganization of the Tokyo Stock Exchange market segments
August 2022
Established QD Laser America, Inc. (capital: 10,000 USD), a non-consolidated subsidiary in Delaware, USA, for the purpose of selling retinal projection products
March 2023
Started domestic sales of retinal projection viewfinder "RETISSA NEOVIEWER" and retinal projection device "RETISSA ON HAND"
July 2023
Started U.S. sales of retinal projection viewfinder "RETISSA NEOVIEWER"
March 2024
Started U.S. sales of retinal projection device "RETISSA ON HAND"
October 2024
Unveiled laser eyewear equipped with eye-tracking technology at CEATEC2024
October 2024
Commenced order acceptance for the all-in-one compact visible laser "Lantana"

Top Message

QD Laser, Inc., which holds the philosophy of 'Illuminating Human Possibilities,' has been developing its business centered on laser technology and continuing to grow since its foundation in 2006 based on research results from Fujitsu Laboratories. At the time of our founding, there was a strong desire to 'deliver the world-class technology born in the laboratory to society in a useful form.' That spirit continues to be the driving force behind our challenges.

Our company has built a system that can flexibly produce lasers across a wide range of wavelengths by utilizing various methods. Our product lineup, including ultra-small visible light lasers, is continuing to expand its application to diverse industrial fields through collaboration with numerous customers who have received mass production certification. In addition, quantum dot lasers maintain stable performance even in high-temperature environments and have excellent resistance to external light reflection (return light), and their deployment as a core technology supporting the world's leading industries, such as data centers, advanced medical care, next-generation automobiles, and the space field, is accelerating.

Furthermore, our company's unique laser and optical technology is also opening up possibilities for new application areas, including visual support and healthcare, as retinal projection technology. Going forward, we will further enhance our presence in the global market through further innovation and social implementation of our original technology.

We are now further strengthening the foundation of our technology and business that we have cultivated so far, and aiming to build a stable revenue model and achieve sustainable growth. As the world's industrial structure and social issues change significantly, we will continue to be a company that expands the 'human possibilities' through unique technologies that are unparalleled in the world, by taking on flexible and bold challenges from a future-oriented perspective.

We sincerely ask for your continued support and guidance in the future.

Kiyoshi Okubo
President and CEO

Management Members

Board of Directors

  • Kiyoshi Okubo

    Kiyoshi Okubo

    President & CEO

    Prior to joining QD Laser, Inc., he engaged in venture investments in advanced technology startups both domestically and internationally as part of Mitsui & Co., Ltd.'s Corporate Development business unit. He also led various new business initiatives, including digital securities, data center funds, Asian real estate funds, and U.S. venture investment funds.
    Working alongside the founder of QD Laser, Inc., he helped materialize the business concept and served as Executive Vice President in the company's early stages. He holds a Master's degree in Engineering from Nagoya University Graduate School.

  • Mitsuru Sugawara

    Osamu Nagao

    Director

    After building a career in legal affairs and corporate investment at Mitsui & Co., Ltd., he achieved significant results in various roles including an assignment to a pharmaceutical outsourcing company that he had sourced as an investment target, president of a venture investment subsidiary, and chief strategist for North, Central, and South American operations. He was also involved in the establishment of QD Laser, Inc. After leaving Mitsui & Co., he served as an advisor to Hob Co., Ltd. and as the president and CEO of Infomart Corporation before assuming the position of president at our company. He graduated from the Faculty of Law at the University of Tokyo, received an LL.M. from Columbia Law School in the United States, and is admitted to the New York State Bar (currently on inactive status).

  • Kaoru Hatano

    Kaoru Hatano

    Outside Director

    In charge of research and development and intellectual property operations as a leader of the research and development department at the Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. New business development and sales manager at Clarivate. Jointly founded Cardio Intelligence Inc. in 2019 and is in charge of business planning, financing, intellectual property, and basic technology development. Tohoku University specially appointed professor (current position). Master of Information Science, Tohoku University. Master of Business Administration, Graduate School of Management, Globis University.

  • Satoru Uchida

    Satoru Uchida

    Outside Director (Member of the Audit Committee)

    After joining Nippon Oil Corporation, he served as Director of Lubricants Sales Division and Director of Overseas Business Division. After serving as President of JX Nippon Oil & Energy Corporation USA and Executive Regional Officer, Americas of JX Nippon Oil & Energy Corporation, he served as Executive officer of JX Holdings Corporation. Graduated from the Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Waseda University.

  • Hiroki Mori

    Hiroki Mori

    Outside Director (Member of the Audit Committee)

    Mr. Mori registered as a lawyer in 2012. After joined Kohwa Sogo Law Office, served as a securities inspector in the Securities and Exchange Surveillance Division at the Ministry of Finance. After serving as a wholesale compliance department at Mizuho Securities and a public underwriting department at SMBC Nikko Securities, he became a partner of Kohwa Sogo Law Office (current position). He has a lot of knowledge about general corporate legal affairs, internal control, risk management system, compliance system, business regulations related to financial product transactions Mr. Mori is a lawyer, and graduated from Keio University Law School.

  • Osamu Matsushita

    Osamu Matsushita

    Outside Director (Member of the Audit Committee)

    Joined Arthur Andersen, where he engaged in audit and accounting-related advisory services, and subsequently specialized in M&A and corporate restructuring advisory services for 30 years, serving as a partner on numerous domestic and international corporate and private equity fund transactions. He was involved in global firm management as Co-Managing Partner of KPMG FAS and COO of KPMG Japan. He currently serves as Representative of Matsushita Osamu CPA Office. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics from Rikkyo University and is a Certified Public Accountant in Japan.

Executive Officers

  • Keizo Takemasa

    Keizo Takemasa

    Executive Officer (General Manager of Corporate Planning Office / General Manager of the Visual Information Device Department)

    Mr. Takemasa joined Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd, where he was engaged in the development and research of semiconductor lasers. He joined QD Laser in 2008. As Director of Laser Devices, he conducts the development, production and sales of semiconductor lasers for communications and industry. Mr. Takemasa has a Master's Degree from the Department of Applied Physics, at the Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo.

  • Masaru Kuwabara

    Masaru Kuwabara

    Executive Officer (General Manager of the Administration Group)

    After joining Niigata Sanyo Electronics Co., Ltd., engaged in accounting and finance operations at domestic semiconductor manufacturing companies and a sales subsidiary in Singapore within the SANYO Electric Group. Joined the company in 2009 and has served as General Manager of the Administration Division since 2015, overseeing administrative functions. Graduated from Komazawa University, Faculty of Economics, Department of Economics.

  • Yutaka Onishi

    Yutaka Onishi

    Executive Officer (General Manager of the Laser Device Department)

    At Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., he was responsible for research and development of various optical devices including semiconductor lasers, optical waveguide integrated devices, and silicon photonics. He joined the company in 2018 and has been engaged in the development and production of semiconductor lasers. After serving as Deputy General Manager of the Laser Device Division and CTO for Lasers, he was appointed General Manager of the Laser Device Division in November 2024. He received the degree of doctor of engineering in information processing from Tokyo Institute of Technology.

  • Hisato Hosoyama

    Hisato Hosoyama

    Executive Officer (Special Assistant to the CEO)

    Joined Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. and engaged in the design and development of small commercial terminals. After that, engaged in technology development and technology sales at Fujitsu Ltd. At our company, he directs medical device approval of RETISSA Medical and mass production of RETISSA Display II as the technical manager. Completed the master's course at the University of Electro-Communications Graduate School of Electronic Engineering. First-class land radio engineer.

Founder

  • Portrait of Dr. Mitsuru Sugawara

    Mitsuru Sugawara

    Founder and Superintendent

    Profile

Location

QD Laser is headquartered in Kawasaki, Kanagawa. We develop, manufacture and sell state-of-the-art lasers including quantum dot lasers.

HQ

Google Maps

Keihin Building 1st floor, 1-1 Minamiwatarida-cho, Kawasaki-ku,
Kawasaki, Kanagawa 210-0855
(Located in Technology Hub Innovation Kawasaki "THINK")

By Train

- Exit JR Kawasaki Station.
Take a cab to Keihin building. (About 15 minutes)

- 5 minutes walk from JR Hamakawasaki Station.

By Car

- Take Shuto Expressway Yokohane-line, and exit Hamakawasaki from Tokyo or exit Asada from Yokohama.

Google Maps
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Dr. Sugawara’s profile

1984
Graduated with a master’s degree in applied physics from the School of Engineering, University of Tokyo, and entered Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd.
1995
Became a senior researcher of Fujitsu Laboratories’ optical semiconductor devices laboratory and earned a Ph.D. in engineering at the University of Tokyo
1999
Became a guest associate professor of the Tokyo Institute of Technology’s Department of Electronics and Functional Systems (concurrent position)
2001
Appointed manager of Photo Novel Technology Research at Fujitsu Laboratories
2004
Became a professor at the Institute of Industrial Science, University of Tokyo
2005
Became the deputy manager of Fujitsu Laboratories’ Nanotechnology Research Center
2006
Became president and CEO of QD Laser, Inc.
2024
Founder and Superintendent of QD Laser, Inc. (current position)

Awards

October 2006
Technology Innovation Awards Runners-Up, "Quantum-dot lasers for optical communication using nano-size semiconductor particles as light emitters", The Wall Street Journal
April 2008
Received a Science and Technology Award in the research category for "Research on quantum dot lasers for optical communication" from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT).
June 2008
Received a Prime Minister's Award for Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration on "Development of photonic network technology and establishment of a university-led carve-out venture".
June 2009
IEEE Spectrum Special Technology Issue Winner Award
September 2010
Received the 4th Fellow Award from the Japan Society of Applied Physics.
October 2010
Received the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Award (Green IT Award 2010).
April 2012
Received an award of excellence at the Laser Society Industry Awards for "Semiconductor quantum dot laser for communication".
October 2014
IEEE Photonic Society Aron Kressel Award, "For pioneering contributions to the development of temperature-insensitive quantum dot lasers, and their commercialization and mass-production for optical communication systems".
March 2016
Received an award at the 1st JEITA Venture Awards
October 2016
Received a Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Award and U.S. Media Panel Innovation Awards Grand Prix award at CEATEC 2016
November 2016
Received the 16th Yamazaki Teiichi Prize for "Improvement of Communication Wavelength Band Quantum Dot Laser, its Practical Application and Mass Production"
February 2017
Received an award at the Prism Awards for Photonics Innovation 2017 during the Photonic West 2017 exhibition in the U.S.
April 2017
Received an award at WIRED Audi Innovation Awards 2017
February 2018
Received the 33rd Kenjiro Sakurai Memorial award for contribution toward “Development and commercialization of high temperature characteristics semiconductor quantum dot laser”.
October 2018
RETISSA® Display won Nikkei xTECH EXPO AWARD 2018 associate Grand Prix.
February 2019
RETISSA® Display won PRISM AWARD 2019