As airports grow more complex, the real innovation lies in making their systems simpler, faster, and easier to act on
Updated
March 24, 2026 5:55 PM
An airplane parked at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport. PHOTO: UNSPLASH
Airports are some of the most complex systems in the world. Every day, they manage thousands of flights, passengers, crew schedules, gates and ground operations—all moving at the same time. But much of this still runs on older software that doesn’t connect well, making simple decisions harder than they need to be.
This is the gap companies like AirportLabs are trying to address. Instead of relying on multiple disconnected systems, their approach brings airport operations into one cloud-based platform. The goal is straightforward: take scattered data and turn it into something teams can actually use in real time.
In practice, this means combining core systems like flight databases, resource management and display systems into a single interface. When everything is connected, airport staff can respond faster—whether it’s adjusting gate assignments, managing delays, or coordinating ground crews. Rather than reacting late, decisions can be made as situations unfold.
Another shift is how this technology is built. Traditional airport systems often require heavy on-site infrastructure and long deployment timelines. In contrast, cloud-based platforms remove much of that complexity. Updates are faster, systems are easier to scale and teams spend less time maintaining servers and more time improving operations.
What stands out is the speed of adoption. Instead of multi-year rollouts, newer systems can be implemented in weeks, allowing airports to see improvements much sooner.
At a broader level, this reflects a familiar pattern seen across industries. As operations become more data-heavy, the advantage shifts to those who can simplify complexity. In aviation, that doesn’t just mean better technology—it means making the entire system easier to run.
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A Massachusetts startup advances scalable light-control tech for AR, AI and imaging markets
Updated
March 17, 2026 1:01 AM
Myrias Optics' Nanoimprinted All-inorganic Metaoptic. PHOTO: MYRIAS OPTICS
Myrias Optics, a Massachusetts-based optical technology startup, has raised US$2.1 million in a Seed 1 financing round to accelerate the commercialization of its advanced light-control technology. The round was led by MassVentures, with participation from existing investors Hoss Investment Inc., Maroon Venture Partners and Tenon Venture Partners, as well as new investors Mill Town Capital, TiE Boston Angels and Doug Crane. This new round follows a US$3.3 million seed financing completed in December 2023, led by Asia Optical, and a US$1.5 million Direct-to-Phase II award from the National Science Foundation. In total, Myrias has secured US$6.9 million to date, positioning it to move from development to scaled production.
The company builds ultra-thin, nano-patterned surfaces that precisely control how light moves through a device. These structures replace or enhance traditional lenses and optical parts inside products such as augmented reality headsets, AI data center hardware, consumer electronics, industrial systems and medical imaging devices. The goal is straightforward: to deliver high optical performance while making the parts easier and more cost-effective to manufacture in large quantities.
Across industries such as augmented reality and AI infrastructure, manufacturers face a common challenge. They need highly precise light-guiding components that can withstand heat and long-term use. At the same time, those components must be produced consistently and at scale. Traditional semiconductor-style fabrication can be costly, while polymer-based optical manufacturing can face limits in durability and thermal stability.
Myrias addresses this gap by using inorganic materials and a nanoimprint manufacturing process to create stable, repeatable optical layers on wafers. This approach is designed to combine performance with manufacturability. In augmented reality systems, for example, the company’s technology enables higher viewing angles while remaining suitable for volume production. In AI data centers, the same material and process advantages support improved light transfer and stronger performance under demanding thermal conditions. These benefits also extend to advanced imaging systems in consumer, industrial and medical markets.
The new Seed 1 funding is intended to expand manufacturing capacity and scale pilot production lines. The company will also continue executing active customer programs. Myrias is already working with strategic partners and Tier 1 supply chain participants to integrate its waveguide and light-shaping solutions into commercial AR platforms, AI photonics systems and advanced imaging products. The capital, therefore, supports a clear next step: moving from validated prototypes to a steady commercial supply.