The ophthalmic instruments industry in Europe plays a crucial role in eye care, advancing technologies related to vision correction, diagnostics, and surgical procedures. This sector includes manufacturers of optical devices, diagnostic equipment, and surgical instruments that cater to ophthalmologists and other eye care professionals. With increasing awareness of eye health and an aging population, the demand for innovative solutions has soared. Companies are now focusing on cutting-edge technologies such as telemedicine and artificial intelligence to improve patient outcomes. This evolving market offers tremendous opportunities for growth and aims to enhance the efficiency and accessibility of eye care across Europe.


The investors in this listing represent a mix of corporate venture capitalists and dedicated investment firms, headquartered primarily in prominent European cities like Brussels, Paris, and London. Established between 1958 and 2015, these investors range in size from small teams to large entities with thousands of employees. Each investor has actively participated in 2024, collectively engaging in sectors supporting ophthalmic instruments. Notable deal counts include the European Innovation Council with 57 and Bpifrance French Tech Accélération with 198 investments, indicating strong interest in the industry's growth.


Top 12 Ophthalmic Instruments Investors in Europe


1. European Innovation Council (EIC)


The European Innovation Council (EIC) is a public entity based in Brussels, Belgium, established to support innovation and entrepreneurship across Europe. Founded in 1958, the EIC offers various funding programs, including the EIC Accelerator and EIC Pathfinder, aimed at helping startups and SMEs develop and scale their technologies. The EIC provides business acceleration services, networking opportunities, and prizes to foster innovation in multiple sectors. Notably, the EIC has been involved in funding transactions relevant to the ophthalmic instruments industry, such as BELKIN Vision, which raised significant amounts through grants and venture funding. Additionally, the EIC has supported other companies like Akknatek and Oivi, indicating its active role in promoting innovation in health-related technologies, including ophthalmic applications.


2. Essilor Group

  • Website: essilor.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Charenton-Le-Pont, Île-De-France, France
  • Founded year: 1972
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: essilor

Essilor Group, founded in 1972 and based in Charenton-Le-Pont, Île-De-France, France, is a corporate investor and a leading manufacturer of ophthalmic lenses. The company specializes in the design, production, and sale of various optical products, including innovative lenses that enhance vision and protect against harmful light. Essilor serves both consumers and eyecare professionals, providing solutions for vision correction and eye health. Notably, Essilor has made several strategic acquisitions to strengthen its position in the ophthalmic instruments market, including the acquisition of Shamir Optical Industry for $130 million in 2011, which expanded their product offerings in the lens sector. Other significant acquisitions include Orgalent, Satisloh, Technopark Comercio de Artigos Opticos, and Segment Produtos Oftalmicos, all of which further demonstrate Essilor's commitment to enhancing its capabilities in the ophthalmic instruments industry.


3. Bpifrance French Tech Accélération


Bpifrance French Tech Accélération is a venture capital investor based in Paris, Île-De-France, France, founded in 2015. As a public entity and financial institution, Bpifrance supports entrepreneurs and businesses in France and internationally through various services, including direct funding and private equity investments. Notably, Bpifrance has participated in significant transactions within the ophthalmic instruments sector, such as the €15 million Series A extension financing for Pixium Vision, a developer of retinal implant systems. This investment highlights their focus on advancing technologies that address vision-related health issues. Additionally, Bpifrance has been involved in other funding rounds, such as the seed round for Laclarée, which, while not directly related to ophthalmic instruments, showcases their broader commitment to innovative health technologies. Their active role in funding companies like Pixium Vision positions them as a key player in the ophthalmic instruments investment landscape.


4. SBRI Healthcare

  • Website: sbrihealthcare.co.uk
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Twickenham, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 2009
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: sbri-healthcare

SBRI Healthcare is a not-for-profit healthcare innovation program based in Twickenham, England, founded in 2009. The organization provides funding and support to innovators and entrepreneurs who are addressing unmet health and care needs within the NHS and social care system. Their mission is to accelerate the development of innovative technologies and solutions that improve patient care and increase efficiencies in healthcare delivery. Among their notable transactions, SBRI Healthcare has provided grants to companies such as PolyPhotonix, which focuses on developing technologies for treating eye conditions, and IbisVision, which is involved in creating solutions for vision assessment. These investments highlight SBRI Healthcare's commitment to supporting advancements in ophthalmic instruments and technologies.


5. Scottish Enterprise


Scottish Enterprise is a public entity established in 1991, focused on economic development in Scotland. It provides a range of services including funding, business development advice, and support for innovation and exports. With a size of 1001-5000 employees, it plays a crucial role in enhancing Scotland's economic landscape. Notably, Scottish Enterprise has been involved in funding rounds for companies in the ophthalmic instruments sector, such as epipole, a video retinal imaging specialist that raised €1.66 million to expand into the U.S. market, and Ocutec, which has received multiple seed funding rounds. These transactions highlight Scottish Enterprise's active role in supporting the growth of businesses within the ophthalmic instruments industry.


6. Agoranov

  • Website: agoranov.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Paris, Île-De-France, France
  • Founded year: 2000
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 42
  • LinkedIn: agoranov

Agoranov is a startup incubator based in Paris, Île-De-France, France, founded in 2000. The firm specializes in supporting technology and science startups through personalized assistance, fully equipped facilities, and acceleration programs. They primarily focus on early-stage startups across various innovative sectors. Notably, Agoranov has been involved in several transactions within the ophthalmic instruments context, including investments in Pixium Vision, which focuses on retinal implants, and DAMAE Medical, which develops innovative imaging technologies for skin and eye diagnostics. These investments highlight Agoranov's commitment to fostering advancements in the ophthalmic field, alongside their broader portfolio of diverse startups.


7. Novo Holdings

  • Website: novoholdings.dk
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Hellerup, Denmark
  • Founded year: 1999
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 45
  • LinkedIn: novo-a-s

Novo Holdings A/S is a not-for-profit investment firm based in Hellerup, Denmark, focused on managing the assets of the Novo Nordisk Foundation. Founded in 1999, it specializes in investing in life science companies at various stages of development, providing both capital and strategic support to enhance healthcare solutions. Notably, Novo Holdings has participated in significant funding rounds for companies like PanOptica, which raised over $23 million in Series B financing to develop treatments for eye diseases, highlighting their engagement in the ophthalmic instruments sector. Additionally, their investments in other life science companies, such as Claris Biotherapeutics and Minerva Surgical, further demonstrate their active role in supporting innovative healthcare solutions, including those related to ophthalmology.


8. Halma plc

  • Website: halma.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Amersham, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 1894
  • Headcount: 5001-10000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 5
  • LinkedIn: halma-plc

Halma plc is a technology company based in Amersham, England, that operates across various sectors, including safety, environmental analysis, and healthcare. Founded in 1894, Halma has established itself as a leader in providing innovative solutions that enhance safety and operational efficiency. In recent years, Halma has made significant investments in the ophthalmic instruments sector, acquiring several companies that specialize in this field. Notable transactions include the acquisition of Microsurgical Technology, an ophthalmic surgical products provider, for $57 million in 2012; Accutome, Inc., another key player in ophthalmic instruments, for $25 million in 2012; and Medicel AG, a manufacturer of optical devices, for £46.6 million in 2011. Additionally, Halma acquired Visiometrics, an objective refraction specialist, for up to £91.2 million in 2015. These acquisitions highlight Halma's strategic focus on enhancing its capabilities in ophthalmic technologies, positioning it as a significant investor in this industry.


9. Verve Ventures

  • Website: verve.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 2010
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 25
  • LinkedIn: investiere-venture-capital

Verve Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Zurich, Switzerland, founded in 2010. The firm specializes in deep tech investments across Europe, providing funding and strategic support to science and technology startups. Their focus spans various sectors, including climate tech, industrial technology, and health & bio. In 2024, Verve Ventures has been active with 25 investments, showcasing their commitment to fostering innovation. Notably, they participated in funding rounds for companies like ARTIRIA Medical, which focuses on neurovascular solutions, indicating their engagement in the health sector that could relate to ophthalmic instruments. Their investment in EarlySight, a startup that may have applications in vision-related technologies, further emphasizes their relevance in the ophthalmic context. Overall, Verve Ventures is positioned as a supportive investor for startups that could impact the ophthalmic instruments market.


10. Gilde Healthcare


Gilde Healthcare is a venture capital firm based in Utrecht, Netherlands, specializing in healthcare investments. Founded in 1982, the firm manages over €2.6 billion across two fund strategies: Venture&Growth and Private Equity. Gilde Healthcare invests in innovative healthtech and therapeutics companies, as well as profitable lower mid-market healthcare providers in Europe. Recently, Gilde has made significant acquisitions in the medical instruments space, including the acquisition of Koscher & Würtz, a manufacturer of surgical instruments, which enhances their portfolio in the healthcare sector. This aligns with their strategy to create a leading contract manufacturing group, indicating a commitment to expanding their influence in the medical instruments market. Other notable transactions include the acquisition of EUROPIN, a medtech contract manufacturer, which further demonstrates their focus on healthcare-related investments.


11. EQT Group

  • Website: eqtgroup.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Founded year: 1994
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 30
  • LinkedIn: eqt-partners

EQT Group is a prominent investment firm founded in 1994, specializing in private equity, infrastructure, real estate, growth equity, and venture capital. Based in Stockholm, Sweden, EQT serves institutional investors by providing expertise in managing diverse investment portfolios across multiple sectors and geographies. Notably, EQT has made significant investments in the ophthalmic instruments industry, including the acquisition of Carl Zeiss Vision in 2005, a key player in the optical sector. Additionally, EQT was involved in the acquisition of Sola International, an eyeglass lens manufacturer, in a deal valued at approximately $1.1 billion. These transactions highlight EQT's strategic focus on the ophthalmic instruments market, reinforcing their position as a relevant investor in this industry.


12. Parkwalk Advisors


Parkwalk Advisors is a London-based venture capital investment management firm founded in 2009. They specialize in venture capital investments in university spin-outs and innovative technologies, managing various EIS funds aimed at capital appreciation and tax reliefs for investors. Their investment strategy focuses on high-growth companies across sectors such as AI, life sciences, and cleantech. Notably, Parkwalk has made significant investments in the ophthalmic instruments space, including a seed funding round for Ikarovec, which is developing gene therapies for ophthalmic indications, and a Series A funding round for Echopoint Medical, which is advancing technologies for ophthalmic procedures. These transactions highlight Parkwalk's commitment to supporting innovative solutions in the ophthalmic field.



Ophthalmic Instruments Insights: Key Investors in Europe


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
European Innovation Council (EIC)Brussels, Brussels, Belgium201-500195857
Essilor GroupCharenton-Le-Pont, Île-De-France, France10001+19721
Bpifrance French Tech AccélérationParis, Île-De-France, France1-102015198
SBRI HealthcareTwickenham, England, United Kingdom (UK)11-5020093
Scottish EnterpriseGlasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)1001-5000199155
AgoranovParis, Île-De-France, France11-50200042
Novo HoldingsHellerup, Denmark51-200199945
Halma plcAmersham, England, United Kingdom (UK)5001-1000018945
Verve VenturesZurich, Zurich, Switzerland11-50201025
Gilde HealthcareUtrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands51-200198212
EQT GroupStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden1001-5000199430
Parkwalk AdvisorsLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)11-50200917


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