Deep Optics, a Petah Tikva, Israel-based deep tech company and developer in the electro-optics space, has raised investment in a Series C funding round led by Fielmann Group’s Venture and Investment arm, Fielmann Ventures.
However, the company did not disclose the amount of the deal. Fielmann Ventures has acquired a 10% stake from the company as a part of the funding. The Israeli company will use the funds to develop its groundbreaking technology further.
Yariv Haddad, CEO of Deep Optics, says, “What excites me most about our partnership with the Fielmann Group is its complimentary nature: While we bring deep technology know-how and product development capabilities, Fielmann brings a vast knowledge of customer needs and eyecare expertise. We believe in the future of adaptive optics, and we will jointly transform the customer experience using this technology. After developing our unique liquid crystal lens technology, we are thrilled to begin marketing our first product, 32°N, the only one of its kind that utilizes our unique lenses. After completing a successful beta testing phase, we are going to make 32°N available for customers next year. The additional funding will help us scale our adaptive vision correction and continue developing cutting-edge products for vision correction, along with augmented and virtual reality applications.”
Adaptive focal glasses
Founded by a group of serial entrepreneurs, Yariv Hadad, Saar Wilf, and Yoav Yadin, Deep Optics develops adaptive focal glasses using its novel liquid crystal lens technology.
In 2021, the company launched its first adaptive glasses product: 32°N, sunglasses that switch to reading glasses with a swipe. Its proprietary technology uses pixelated liquid crystal lenses to adjust the focal distance of glasses to any distance.
As a result, the wearer has a much larger field of vision compared to glasses with conventional progressive lenses.
The company has also collaborated with companies in the Augmented and Virtual Reality space (AR/VR) to improve optical performance and visual experience for users of AR/VR headsets.
Deep Optics is also targeting the integration of its dynamic focal lenses in consumer medical devices in the field of visual health. Among its existing shareholders are EssilorLuxottica and Samsung Ventures.
Currently, the company employs around 20 people.
Marc Fielmann, CEO of Fielmann Group, says, “This investment is a decisive step in our Vision 2025, as part of which we digitise our family business. Following our customer-centric philosophy, we grow a portfolio of disruptive technologies that fundamentally transform the customer experience in the eyewear and acoustic markets. Our investment in Deep Optics extends our smart glasses offerings and complements our technological capabilities. While our 27 million customers will benefit from early access to a highly innovative lens technology, we will also pave the way for various exciting applications in the future: The ability to dynamically adjust the optical focus could become a game changer for the entire smart glasses industry. As part of our strategic partnership, we will jointly develop applications in progressive lenses and smart glasses.”
