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Tag: Magic Leap

  • Magic Leap Snags Microsoft’s Peggy Johnson As CEO

    Magic Leap Snags Microsoft’s Peggy Johnson As CEO

    Spatial computing company Magic Leap has snagged Microsoft executive Peggy Johnson as its new CEO.

    Magic Leap is a well-known company working on revolutionizing the computing industry. The company is considered to be one of the leaders in spatial computing, which includes elements of virtual, augmented and mixed reality. The company claims its wearable, Magic Leap 1, is the most advanced XR device on the market.

    Peggy Johnson brings much to the table for Magic Leap, including over three decades in leadership positions within the tech industry. She previously worked for 24 years at Qualcomm before joining Microsoft in 2014. As executive vice president of business development, she oversaw the LinkedIn acquisition, and has a solid background growing business endeavors.

    “Since its founding in 2011, Magic Leap has pioneered the field of spatial computing, and I have long admired the relentless efforts and accomplishments of this exceptional team. Magic Leap’s technological foundation is undeniable, and there is no question that has the potential to shape the future of XR and computing,” said Ms. Johnson.

    “As CEO, I look forward to strategically building enduring relationships that connect Magic Leap’s game-changing technology and pipeline to the wide-ranging digital needs of enterprises of all sizes and industries,” explained Ms. Johnson. “It is with great pride and sincere appreciation to the Magic Leap Board, Rony and the entire team, as well as to Satya Nadella at Microsoft, that I assume the role of leading this visionary business into the future.”

    Ms. Johnson will likely be a big asset as Magic Leap continues to compete in what is becoming a highly competitive field.

    Image Credit: Magic Leap

  • Google Funds Virtual Reality Company Magic Leap

    Google Funds Virtual Reality Company Magic Leap

    Magic Leap, a technology company, which works in augmented reality, virtual reality, and mobile computing, announced that it has raised $542 million in Series B funding, and that this funding was led by Google.

    Other participants in the round are Qualcomm, Legendary Entertainment, Thomas Tull, KKR, Vulcan Capital, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Andreessen Horowitz, Obvious Ventures, and other unnamed investors.

    Not only is Google leading the financing, but its SVP of Android, Chrome and Apps, Sundar Pichai, is joining Magic Leap’s board of directors. Additionally, Dr. Paul E. Jacobs, Executive Chairman of Qualcomm and Don Harrison, Vice-President, Corporate Development at Google will join the board as “observers”.

    “We are excited and honored to have such an extraordinary group of investors to help us bring our vision and products to the world,” said Magic Leap CEO Rony Abovitz. “Magic Leap is going beyond the current perception of mobile computing, augmented reality, and virtual reality. We are transcending all three, and will revolutionize the way people communicate, purchase, learn, share and play.”

    Pichai added, “We are looking forward to Magic Leap’s next stage of growth, and to seeing how it will shape the future of visual computing.”

    The announcement says the funding will be used to accelerate development and commercialization of “the world’s next visual computing platform”. Little more is known about the specifics.

    Image via Magic Leap