Finnish startup IXI raises €32.2 million for autofocus glasses designed to enhance vision using dynamic lenses. The funding will help them complete product development and launch commercially. Led by notable investors, IXI aims to disrupt the €175 billion eyewear market.
In an exciting turn for the world of eyewear, Finnish startup IXI has successfully raised €32.2 million in Series A funding. Based in Espoo, IXI is striving to bring to market the world’s first autofocus glasses, promising to change how we perceive vision. The investment will enable the firm to finalize its groundbreaking IXI Adaptive Eyewear and lay the groundwork for commercial operations soon.
This funding round was led by Plural, a notable player in the investment scene, with support from various others including Tesi, byFounders, and the Amazon Alexa Fund, among others. A multitude of existing investors also contributed, showing strong belief in IXI’s mission to innovate in the eyewear market.
Co-founder and CEO Niko Eiden couldn’t hide his enthusiasm. He noted, “Eyewear is the world’s oldest wearable, rooted in centuries of brilliance across science, design and craftsmanship. The time for change is now.” He further stated they are ready to reshape vision tech, emphasizing that too many people have long been left unsatisfied with their eyewear options.
Founded just two years ago in 2021, IXI is setting its sights on shaking things up in the hefty €175 billion eyewear industry. Their standout product features dynamic lenses that adjust automatically to the wearer’s eyes. Eiden highlights their technology as one that aligns with “how nature intended your eyes to work,” which could be a game-changer for those struggling with vision issues.
IXI’s forward-thinking founders, Eiden and Ville Miettinen, bring a wealth of experience from their time at the mixed reality startup Varjo. Their history with advanced optics and cutting-edge eye-tracking inspired the creation of IXI Adaptive Eyewear, aiming to tackle challenges surrounding vision correction.
The startup is hopeful about ushering in a new category of eyewear equipped with real-time, low-power eye-tracking technology designed to enhance user experience. IXI is adamant about breaking the restrictions imposed by traditional lenses, which they argue have constrained wearers for generations. Common problems with existing lenses include limited fields of view and distortion, especially when trying to see objects at varying distances.
IXI is aware that with an aging global population comes an increase in presbyopia, leading to a future where millions might struggle with multifocal vision. This growing problem is what they’re aiming to address with their innovative technology.
Sten Tamkivi, a partner at Plural, also shared his insights, stating, “Niko, Ville and the team’s rare European hardware expertise puts them at the forefront of advanced optics.” He expressed confidence that IXI’s approach will finally enhance human eyesight effectively. Tamkivi emphasized that supporting IXI is not merely a business investment, but rather a commitment to a world transformed by technological advances in vision.
Currently, IXI’s first-generation product is under development, and more intriguing details are expected to be disclosed as they approach the product’s launch.
In summary, IXI, the Finnish startup poised to redefine eyewear, has secured €32.2 million to finalize its autofocusing glasses—an innovation built to align with our natural vision. Backed by notable investors, they aim to disrupt a $175 billion industry while addressing longstanding visual challenges that many face today. Their journey has only just begun, with much anticipation for what lies ahead as they gear up for their product launch.
Original Source: www.eu-startups.com