Latest news with #XPANCEO
Forbes
6 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Meta Puts $3.5 Billion Into Partner EssilorLuxottica, XPANCEO, Arago, Kartel Raise New Rounds
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 10: Sarah Baus of Charleston, S.C., a content creator on TikTok, holds a ... More sign that reads "Keep TikTok" outside the U.S. Supreme Courton January 10, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by) Tik Tok, I own the clock, says the Donald. Prexy says a group of rich folk are buying the social platform. He can't say when. I would be shocked if the syndicate is not made up of the president's wealthiest supporters and family members. That is totally legal, because the president is doing it. An audience member watches the Meta Connect Developer Conference keynote while wearing Ray-Ban Meta ... More 2nd generation smart glasses at Meta's headquarters in Menlo Park, California on Wednesday September 27, 2023. (Photo by JOSH EDELSON / AFP) (Photo by JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images) Meta has reportedly invested approximately $3.5 billion in eyewear maker EssilorLuxottica. The social media company now owns just under 3% of the company it has partnered with to make XR glasses based on both their Ray‑Ban and Oakley brands. The investment comes as Ray‑Ban Meta smart glasses have sold over two million units since late 2023, and EssilorLuxottica plans to scale production to ten million units annually by 2026. XPANCEO raises $250 million in Series A funding. They're now valued at $1.35 billion, making Xpancio the UAE's 12th unicorn. The company is developing AI-powered smart contact lenses designed to replace smartphones, laptops, and other personal devices with a single, invisible interface. XPANCEO's prototype can already display holographic images, translate languages in real time, and provide night vision. The team includes scientists from Caltech, MIT, and the European Space Agency, and says it is on track to release a commercial product within five years. The funding round was led by Opportunity Ventures and saw participation from strategic investors in Europe and Asia. XPANCEO's vision pushes into science fiction territory, with a fully immersive interface worn directly on the eye. I wonder if at that point we won't be getting neural implants. Mentra Live AI glasses willb be available in September. Mentra Raises $8 Million To Launch Open-Source OS For Smart Glasses. Mentra raises $8M to launch MentraOS 2.0, an open-source XR operating system for smart glasses backed by Y Combinator. Zoom Finally Comes to VR. Using the new Zoom VR app for Quest headsets you can now join or host Zoom meetings directly from VR with your Meta avatar appearing in calls as a virtual webcam feed. It's a bold blend of VR and conventional video conferencing. The result: immersive presence without sacrificing real-world awareness. If they had done this in 2022 I would have lost my mind. Sesame, the smart glasses startup led by former Oculus CEO Brendan Iribe, has welcomed Oculus co‑founder Nate Mitchell as Chief Product Officer. Mitchell describes teaming up with Iribe and hardware architect Ryan Brown as 'getting the band back together' to build wearable tech that brings computing into daily life] . The company is developing lightweight smart glasses designed for all‑day wear. Backed by early Oculus investors like Andreessen Horowitz and Spark Capital, Sesame emerges into an increasingly competitive space alongside Meta's Ray‑Ban, Snap's new, spatial specs, and the upcoming collaboration between Samsung and Google based on Android XR. Genies are avatar agents with personalities that know you and track with you across platforms. Genies Is Building The Visual Layer For LLMs Genies partners with Unity to bring emotionally intelligent AI avatars into games, merging behavior, memory, and UGC tools for real-time interactive companions. After making inroads in Hollywood, Runway is enabling AI to make games. Runway, the $3 billion generative-AI startup who made a splashy collaboration announcement with Hollywood's Lionsgate studio, is now expanding into video games with a new 'Game Worlds' platform. It will enable users to build simple interactive text-and-image games via a chat interface, with full AI-generated game creation slated for later this year. CEO Cristóbal Valenzuela says Runway is in talks with gaming studios to source datasets and embed its AI in development workflows. Kartel Launches With $2 Million And Human-Centric AI To Disrupt Media Production emerges from stealth with $2M to streamline creative media production using AI, human talent, and a phone call. Fast, curated, agency-quality work. Mozart AI founders (L to R) Pascual Merita Torres, Immanuel Rajadurai, Arjun Khanna, Sundar Arvind Mozart AI Empowers Music Composition With A Copilot. Mozart AI raises $730K to launch a digital audio workstation that helps artists create faster with AI, without giving up control or relying on full-song generation. Intangible co-founders Intangible Launches Public Beta, Merging Generative AI, Game Engines, And Cinematic Design. Intangible launches open beta of its browser-based 3D AI platform, combining game engines, spatial design, and cinematic tools for creatives across industries. The new mmersity 3D app from Leia is free. Leia's Immersity Mobile App Brings 3D Depth To Everyday Photos. The 3D display company has launched Immersity, a free mobile app that turns photos into dynamic 3D reels using AI, bringing immersive content creation to everyday smartphone users. VITURE is releasing three new models, followed by a supreme model they call 'The Beast,' due in ... More September. VITURE Launches Luma Series, Sets Its Sights On Spatial Computing. VITURE, the quiet giant of XR glasses, launches its Luma Series smart glasses with four new models, sharper displays, spatial features. According to IDC's most recent report, they own a 52% share of the U.S. market for XR video glasses. Moonvalley founders (L to R) Mikolaj Binkowski, Bryn Mooser, Mateusz Malinowski, John Thomas, Naeem ... More Talukdar Asteria And Moonvalley Release Marey, A Clean, Production-Grade AI Video Model. The new AI generative video model from Asteria and Moonvalley offers Hollywood filmmakers clean, licensed, production-ready tools with full creative control. Poster for Kling AI's new series, '' Kling AI Flexes Its Muscles With New Anthology Series 'Loading…' Kling AI debuts 'Loading…,' a seven-part multi-genre YouTube anthology series that showcases human artistry at the center of cinematic column is also a podcast hosted by its author, Charlie Fink, Ted Schilowitz, former studio executive and co-founder of Red Camera, and Rony Abovitz, founder of Magic Leap. This week our guest is Randy Marsden, founder and CEO of We can be found on Spotify, iTunes, and YouTube. What We're Reading Here's What Happened to the 9 VR Studios Meta Acquired (Road to VR) Apple is working on Seven XR glasses projects (9to5 Mac)
Arabian Business
09-07-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Dubai startup XPANCEO valued at eye-popping $1.35bn as it develops futuristic night-vision contact lenses
Dubai-based smart contact lens startup XPANCEO has closed a $250m Series A funding round at a $1.35 billion valuation, officially earning unicorn status as it accelerates efforts to launch the world's first all-in-one AI-powered extended reality (XR) smart lens. The funding round was led by Opportunity Venture (Asia), which also spearheaded XPANCEO's $40m seed round. The new capital will support final product development, global team expansion, and fast-track the company's go-to-market strategy — with a vision to replace smartphones, smartwatches, and other devices with a single seamless wearable: the eye-based smart lens. XPANCEO focuses on future after $250m funding boost in Dubai Roman Axelrod, founder and Managing Partner at XPANCEO, said: 'There's broad consensus across Big Tech that AI-powered wearable XR is the future. Yet, major players have only recently begun building glasses and headsets, so our smart lens technology puts us at least five years ahead. 'Becoming a unicorn is a powerful signal that we're on the right path. In just 24 months, we've developed 15 working prototypes, each unlocking a new layer of possibility. Our vision remains the same: to merge all your devices into a single, invisible interface – your eyes.' Unlike tech giants focused on bulky headsets or smart glasses, XPANCEO is developing a next-gen wearable that integrates: AI-powered XR for immersive experiences Real-time health monitoring, including intraocular pressure and glucose levels via tear fluid Zoom, night vision, and colour correction capabilities Wireless charging and data reading in real time 3D imaging through nano-optic lenses Since 2023, the new unicorn has developed 15 working prototypes and earned 24 international awards in optics, deep tech, and wearable innovation. Its team has contributed to 110 scientific publications and collaborates with top global institutions including University of Manchester, National University of Singapore, Donostia International Physics Centre and the University of Dubai. Dr. Valentyn S. Volkov, Founder and Scientific Partner at XPANCEO, said: 'To build something this ambitious, we had to push the boundaries of science itself. Our team possesses exceptional expertise at the forefront of physics, including on novel materials, nanoparticles development, nano-optics, and more. XPANCEO has scaled rapidly, doubling its team from 50 to 100 and expanding its state-of-the-art laboratories to support breakthrough research in nano-optics, novel materials, and wearable computing. With the personal computing market projected to exceed $750 billion over the next decade, investors see the firm as uniquely positioned to lead the post-smartphone era. Philip Ma, Managing Director of Opportunity Venture (Asia), said: 'We see XPANCEO as a once-in-a-generation project. They're not just building a product, they're rewriting the rules of personal tech. We backed them early because we saw the boldness of their vision'. Commercial launch timelines have not been disclosed, but with unicorn funding secured, the future of personal computing may soon be right before our eyes.
Wamda
09-07-2025
- Business
- Wamda
XPANCEO secures $250 million Series A at $1.35 billion valuation
UAE-based deeptech startup XPANCEO has raised $250 million in Series A funding at a $1.35 billion valuation. The round was led by Opportunity Venture (Asia), which also led its earlier $40 million seed round. Founded by physicist Valentyn S. Volkov and Roman Axelrod, XPANCEO is developing a multifunctional smart contact lens, integrating AR, health monitoring, night vision, and optical zoom into a lens thinner than a human hair. The device aims to replace all personal gadgets with a single, seamless wearable. The funds will support commercialisation, expand the global R&D and product teams, and accelerate regulatory and pilot tests. Press release: XPANCEO, a Dubai‑based deep‑tech pioneer developing the world's first multifunctional smart contact lens, has raised $250 million in a Series A funding round, valuing the company at $1.35 billion. With this milestone — marking XPANCEO as the UAE's 12th unicorn — the company aims to fast‑track the commercialisation of its groundbreaking lens that integrates augmented reality, continuous health monitoring, night‑vision, and more, all within a device thinner than a human hair. The round was led by Opportunity Venture (Asia), which previously led XPANCEO's $40 million seed round. The funding will support the final development phase of the smart contact lens, expansion of the R&D, design, product and operations teams, and preparation for market launch — ultimately consolidating multiple wearable technologies into a single, invisible device. XPANCEO's lens embeds nanophotonics micro‑displays directly onto the retina, offering AR experiences with a 30° field of view using ultra‑low power (1–3 µW). Beyond AR, the lenses enable real‑time health monitoring, including intraocular pressure tracking for glaucoma and biochemical analysis of tear fluid for markers like glucose, cortisol, hormones, and key vitamins — significantly enhancing diagnostic capabilities. Additional innovations include wireless charging, night vision, optical zoom, and colour‑blindness correction, with applications across healthcare, industrial, defence, and consumer sectors. Co‑founded in 2019 by physicist Dr. Valentyn S. Volkov and serial entrepreneur Roman Axelrod, XPANCEO merges deep scientific research in nano‑optics and biosensing with commercial viability. The company has already produced 15 working prototypes and contributed to 110 science publications. Looking ahead, XPANCEO will deploy the funding to scale its talent base, advance regulatory approvals, and pilot test use cases in healthcare, defence, industrial AR, and consumer wearables — setting the stage to replace phones, glasses, and smartwatches with a unified wearable interface. Roman Axelrod, XPANCEO's Co‑Founder and Managing Partner: 'There's broad consensus across Big Tech that AI‑powered wearable XR is the future... With this funding, XPANCEO is poised to lead the post‑smartphone era.' Dr. Valentyn S. Volkov, Scientific Partner: 'Our team has pushed the boundaries of science... AI‑driven R&D enabled 15 prototypes and 110 scientific publications in months.' Philip Ma, Managing Director at Opportunity Venture (Asia): 'They're not just building a product; they're rewriting the rules of personal tech.'
Mid East Info
08-07-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
XPANCEO Becomes a Unicorn with $250M Raise to Create Ultimate Form Factor for AI-Powered XR Computing - Middle East Business News and Information
The pioneering deep tech company behind the world's first smart contact lenses raises $250 million at a $1.35 billion valuation to fast-track the launch of a multifunctional, AI-powered XR lens that will replace all personal devices and end the era of screens. Dubai, UAE, July 8, 2025 — XPANCEO , a leading deep tech company developing the next generation of computing via smart contact lenses, today announced the successful closing of a $250 million Series A funding round at a $1.35 billion valuation , officially joining the ranks of unicorns . The round will accelerate the company's mission to launch the world's first all-in-one smart contact lens, integrating extended reality (XR), real-time health monitoring, night vision, and zoom into the ultimate interface for the next generation of computing: an AI-powered XR. The round was led by Opportunity Venture (Asia) , who previously spearheaded XPANCEO's $40 million seed round. The new capital will be used to finalize the development of the world's first smart contact lens, expand XPANCEO's world-class team across R&D, product, design, and operations, and accelerate the company's path to market, with the ultimate goal of replacing all personal gadgets with a single, seamless wearable. 'There's broad consensus across Big Tech that AI-powered wearable XR is the future. Yet, major players have only recently begun building glasses and headsets, so our smart lens technology puts us at least five years ahead,' said Roman Axelrod, founder and Managing Partner at XPANCEO . 'Becoming a unicorn is a powerful signal that we're on the right path. In just 24 months, we've developed 15 working prototypes, each unlocking a new layer of possibility. Our vision remains the same: to merge all your devices into a single, invisible interface – your eyes.' Since its last round in 2023, XPANCEO has achieved major technological breakthroughs, including the development of a lens for AR vision, a smart lens with intraocular pressure (IOP) sensing for glaucoma monitoring, a biochemical lens capable of measuring health parameters such as glucose directly from tear fluid, and a lens capable of real-time wireless charging and data reading. Other prototypes feature nanoparticle-enhanced lenses for night vision and color correction, as well as lenses designed for 3D imaging. These innovations have earned XPANCEO and its founders 24 international awards in deep tech, optics, and wearable technology. 'To build something this ambitious, we had to push the boundaries of science itself,' said Dr. Valentyn S. Volkov, Founder and Scientific Partner at XPANCEO . 'Our team possesses exceptional expertise at the forefront of physics, including on novel materials, nanoparticles development, nano-optics, and more. Our unique approach to research, which leverages AI to optimize our R&D workflows and patent analysis, allowed us to accelerate the development of an unprecedented number of prototypes in a short time and contribute to 110 scientific publications in leading journals, collaborating closely with world-renowned experts.' Founded by serial entrepreneur Roman Axelrod and physicist Dr. Valentyn S. Volkov, XPANCEO has rapidly scaled its operations, doubling both its team and laboratory capacity. The company has grown from 50 to 100 world-class scientists, engineers, and business leaders, while its state-of-the-art lab has expanded significantly to support the increasing scope of its research. XPANCEO collaborates with top global institutions – including the University of Manchester, the National University of Singapore, Donostia International Physics Center, and the University of Dubai – to remain at the forefront of material science and optics. With a market opportunity projected to surpass $750 billion over the next decade, the company is accelerating its push toward commercialization. 'We see XPANCEO as a once-in-a-generation project,' said Philip Ma, Managing Director of Opportunity Venture (Asia) . 'They're not just building a product, they're rewriting the rules of personal tech . We backed them early because we saw the boldness of their vision. Today, they've proven they can execute. With this funding, XPANCEO is poised to lead the post-smartphone era and redefine the personal computing landscape.'
Zawya
08-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
XPANCEO becomes a unicorn with $250mln raise to create ultimate form factor for AI-powered XR computing
The pioneering deep tech company behind the world's first smart contact lenses raises $250 million at a $1.35 billion valuation to fast-track the launch of a multifunctional, AI-powered XR lens that will replace all personal devices and end the era of screens. Dubai, UAE — XPANCEO, a leading deep tech company developing the next generation of computing via smart contact lenses, today announced the successful closing of a $250 million Series A funding round at a $1.35 billion valuation, officially joining the ranks of unicorns. The round will accelerate the company's mission to launch the world's first all-in-one smart contact lens, integrating extended reality (XR), real-time health monitoring, night vision, and zoom into the ultimate interface for the next generation of computing: an AI-powered XR. The round was led by Opportunity Venture (Asia), who previously spearheaded XPANCEO's $40 million seed round. The new capital will be used to finalize the development of the world's first smart contact lens, expand XPANCEO's world-class team across R&D, product, design, and operations, and accelerate the company's path to market, with the ultimate goal of replacing all personal gadgets with a single, seamless wearable. 'There's broad consensus across Big Tech that AI-powered wearable XR is the future. Yet, major players have only recently begun building glasses and headsets, so our smart lens technology puts us at least five years ahead,' said Roman Axelrod, founder and Managing Partner at XPANCEO. 'Becoming a unicorn is a powerful signal that we're on the right path. In just 24 months, we've developed 15 working prototypes, each unlocking a new layer of possibility. Our vision remains the same: to merge all your devices into a single, invisible interface – your eyes.' Since its last round in 2023, XPANCEO has achieved major technological breakthroughs, including the development a lens for AR vision, a smart lens with intraocular pressure (IOP) sensing for glaucoma monitoring, a biochemical lens capable of measuring health parameters such as glucose directly from tear fluid, and a lens capable of real-time wireless charging and data reading. Other prototypes feature nanoparticle-enhanced lenses for night vision and color correction, as well as lenses designed for 3D imaging. These innovations have earned XPANCEO and its founders 24 international awards in deep tech, optics, and wearable technology. 'To build something this ambitious, we had to push the boundaries of science itself,' said Dr. Valentyn S. Volkov, Founder and Scientific Partner at XPANCEO. 'Our team possesses exceptional expertise at the forefront of physics, including on novel materials, nanoparticles development, nano-optics, and more. Our unique approach to research, which leverages AI to optimize our R&D workflows and patent analysis, allowed us to accelerate the development of an unprecedented number of prototypes in a short time and contribute to 110 scientific publications in leading journals, collaborating closely with world-renowned experts.' Founded by serial entrepreneur Roman Axelrod and physicist Dr. Valentyn S. Volkov, XPANCEO has rapidly scaled its operations, doubling both its team and laboratory capacity. The company has grown from 50 to 100 world-class scientists, engineers, and business leaders, while its state-of-the-art lab has expanded significantly to support the increasing scope of its research. XPANCEO collaborates with top global institutions – including the University of Manchester, the National University of Singapore, Donostia International Physics Center, and the University of Dubai – to remain at the forefront of material science and optics. With a market opportunity projected to surpass $750 billion over the next decade, the company is accelerating its push toward commercialization. 'We see XPANCEO as a once-in-a-generation project,' said Philip Ma, Managing Director of Opportunity Venture (Asia). 'They're not just building a product, they're rewriting the rules of personal tech. We backed them early because we saw the boldness of their vision. Today, they've proven they can execute. With this funding, XPANCEO is poised to lead the post-smartphone era and redefine the personal computing landscape.'
