CHICAGO & TAIPEI, Taiwan–Azumo, Inc
We’re proud to share that Azumo has been recognized by Crain’s Chicago Business as one of Chicago’s Most Innovative Companies for 2025.
This recognition highlights the power of our patented display and lighting technologies, our commitment to energy efficiency and sustainability, and the success of our partners who use Azumo technology across industrial, wearable, medical, and now automotive applications.
Crain’s on Our Innovation
Crain’s notes that while liquid-crystal displays revolutionized electronics—from TVs to smartwatches—they still consume significant power and struggle in sunlight. Azumo has solved these challenges with a super-thin, flexible film that guides light across the screen, enabling front-lit reflective LCDs that deliver sunlight readability while using far less energy.
Our technology, developed through nearly two decades of innovation, now powers over 1 million devices—and will soon illuminate the inside of cars.
Rooted in Innovation and Place
Founded by three friends from the University of Wisconsin, including Tony Nichol, who earned his Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Azumo operates from Chicago, where we continue to push display performance forward.
As Co-founder and CEO Mike Casperexplains:
“Not coming from the electronics and semiconductor industries helped us because we took a different approach than other companies.”
Our Midwest location has also been key:
“As a fledgling startup trying to convince bigger companies to do prototyping runs for us, we found much better options in the Midwest. We found companies willing to work with us. Large semiconductor companies would never allow somebody else on their equipment.”
Lighting the Way Ahead
Building on six new patents in 2024, Azumo is enabling a new generation of flexible, moldable LCDs that have captured the attention of automotive designers.
As Casper puts it:
“Light is the new chrome. They are looking for ways to differentiate and add customization inside the car and add lighting throughout the whole vehicle.”
With continued breakthroughs in reflective and front-lit display technology, Azumo is redefining how light powers devices—making them brighter, smarter, and dramatically more energy efficient.
You can read the full Crain’s Chicago Business article here: Read the full article(subscription may be required).
Interested in how Azumo is redefining low-power display technology? Let’s start a conversation.
