The ophthalmic instruments industry in Benelux focuses on developing advanced tools for eye examinations, surgeries, and treatments. This sector hosts a mix of multinational corporations and innovative startups providing products ranging from diagnostic devices to surgical instruments. Current trends emphasize the growth of robotic-assisted surgery and teleophthalmology, driven by increasing remote healthcare demands. The region’s investments in research and development show promise for breakthroughs in treatments for conditions like cataracts and glaucoma, enhancing patient outcomes. As technology evolves, this industry is likely to see significant collaboration with tech companies, fostering faster and more effective healthcare solutions in the future.


The investors featured in this list represent a blend of venture capital firms, private equity groups, and corporate bodies headquartered in Belgium and the Netherlands. Active since the early 80s to more recent entries, these investors vary in size, from small funds to major firms managing billions. In 2024, they engaged in numerous funding rounds, highlighting the burgeoning opportunity within the ophthalmic instruments sector. The collective experience and focus on healthcare innovation position them as vital players in driving advancements for eye care technology in the region.


Top 16 Ophthalmic Instruments Investors in Benelux


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 field, 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 broader commitment to advancing innovative technologies, including those in the ophthalmic sector.


2. 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 sector, including a majority stake in Chr. Diener and the acquisition of Koscher & Würtz, a company that develops and manufactures surgical instruments. These transactions reflect Gilde's strategy to enhance its portfolio in the healthcare space, potentially including ophthalmic instruments as part of its broader investment focus. Other notable acquisitions include EUROPIN, a medtech contract manufacturer, which further demonstrates Gilde's commitment to expanding its influence in the healthcare industry.


3. Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij (BOM)


The Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij (BOM) is a venture capital development agency based in Tilburg, North Brabant, Netherlands, founded in 1983. BOM supports startups and scale-ups in the Brabant region by providing funding, expertise, and networking opportunities to enhance business growth. They have been involved in several significant transactions in the ophthalmic instruments context, including investments in Preceyes, a company focused on developing innovative surgical solutions for eye surgery, and Hemics, which has raised multiple rounds of funding for its ophthalmic technologies. Additionally, BOM participated in the Series B2 funding round for Microsure, a company specializing in robot-assisted microsurgery, which may have applications in ophthalmic procedures. These investments highlight BOM's commitment to advancing technologies that can impact the ophthalmic instruments industry.


4. Cvc

  • Website: cvc.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Luxembourg
  • Founded year: 2005
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 16
  • LinkedIn: cvc-capital-partners

CVC Capital Partners is a prominent investment firm founded in 2005, specializing in private equity, credit, secondaries, and infrastructure. With approximately €193 billion in assets under management for over 1000 clients, including pension funds and institutional investors, CVC focuses on delivering sustainable value and growth through strategic investments. Notably, CVC has made significant strides in the healthcare sector, including the acquisition of Rayner Surgical Group, which is a key player in the ophthalmic instruments market, marking a strategic move towards global expansion in this field. Additionally, their investment in Spectrum Medical, a medical device company, showcases their commitment to the healthcare industry. These transactions highlight CVC's active role in sectors that intersect with ophthalmic instruments, reinforcing their relevance as an investor in this area.


5. Innovation Industries


Innovation Industries is a venture capital firm based in Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands, founded in 2017. The firm specializes in deep tech investments, focusing on sectors such as industrial tech, med tech, and food & agri tech. Their mission is to catalyze growth in technology companies that can transform industries, addressing the funding challenges faced by these businesses. Notably, Innovation Industries has been involved in several relevant transactions in the ophthalmic instruments space. They participated in a Series A financing round for Cassini Technologies, which is developing a diagnostic platform for premium refractive cataract surgery procedures. Additionally, they have made multiple investments in Microsure, a company that is pioneering robot-assisted microsurgery, including a €38M Series B2 funding round aimed at advancing their microsurgical robot MUSA-3 for clinical studies. These investments highlight their commitment to supporting innovation in the ophthalmic instruments sector.


6. Gimv

  • Website: gimv.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium
  • Founded year: 1980
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 8
  • LinkedIn: gimv

Gimv is a venture capital investment firm based in Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium, founded in 1980. The firm partners with innovative companies across various sectors, including Consumer, Healthcare, Life Sciences, Smart Industries, and Sustainable Cities. Gimv provides investment management and strategic support to help businesses grow sustainably. Their clientele primarily consists of entrepreneurial companies seeking capital and expertise to navigate market challenges. Notable transactions include a majority investment in Oldelft Ultrasound, a medical diagnostic company, and participation in funding rounds for Onera Health, which focuses on healthcare technology. These investments highlight Gimv's active role in the healthcare sector, which may include opportunities related to ophthalmic instruments.


7. Noshaq

  • Website: noshaq.be
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Belgium
  • Founded year: 1985
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 11
  • LinkedIn: noshaq-be

Noshaq is a venture capital investment fund founded in 1985, based in Belgium, specifically in the province of Liege. The firm focuses on providing financial solutions and strategic support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly in sectors such as biotech and sustainable development. Noshaq aims to foster growth and innovation by actively engaging with its clients and offering tailored financial assistance. Notably, Noshaq has participated in significant transactions related to the ophthalmic sector, including a funding round for EyeD Pharma, which raised €45M to develop ophthalmic products and obtain clinical data for human trials. This involvement highlights Noshaq's commitment to supporting advancements in ophthalmic instruments and related technologies. Additionally, they have engaged in various other investments, such as in SamanTree Medical, which raised $14 million in Series B funding, further showcasing their active role in the healthcare and medical technology sectors.


8. NLC - The European Healthtech Venture Builder

  • Website: nlc.health
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2014
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 6
  • LinkedIn: nlc-next-level-challenge

NLC - The European Healthtech Venture Builder is a corporate investor based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 2014. They focus on developing innovative medical technology solutions, particularly in the healthcare sector. NLC has been actively investing in startups that enhance healthcare delivery, including those in the ophthalmic instruments space. Notably, they participated in funding MindAffect, a startup that is creating a combined hearing and vision test for children and a glaucoma monitoring test for the elderly, showcasing their commitment to advancing technologies that address vision-related health issues. Additionally, their investment in Scinvivo, which is enhancing a catheter and OCT system, further emphasizes their engagement in the ophthalmic instruments industry. Their collaborative approach with healthcare providers and investors aims to drive innovation across various medical technology fields.


9. Exor N.V.

  • Website: exor.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2009
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 26
  • LinkedIn: exor_2

Exor N.V. is a holding company based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 2009. It operates across various sectors, including automotive, healthcare, and media, and manages a diverse portfolio of companies such as Ferrari, Stellantis, and Philips. Exor focuses on enhancing value through strategic investments and operational support. Notably, Exor has been involved in significant transactions within the healthcare sector, including a recent investment in Allotex, which secured $30 million in Series B financing for its technology aimed at treating refractive errors. This investment highlights Exor's commitment to advancing healthcare solutions, particularly in the ophthalmic instruments space. Additionally, Exor's acquisition of a stake in Lifenet Healthcare further emphasizes its strategic focus on healthcare investments.


10. imec.xpand

  • Website: imecxpand.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Leuven, Flanders, Belgium
  • Founded year: 2017
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 5
  • LinkedIn: imec.xpand

imec.xpand is a venture capital fund based in Leuven, Flanders, Belgium, founded in 2017. The fund specializes in providing investment and operational support to early-stage deep tech companies, particularly in the semiconductor and nanotechnology sectors. imec.xpand aims to foster innovation by leveraging imec's expertise and infrastructure to help startups navigate their development and market challenges. Notably, imec.xpand has invested in Azalea Vision, which is developing a smart contact lens for light sensitivity and ocular disorders, highlighting their engagement in the ophthalmic instruments sector. Additionally, they have participated in funding rounds for companies like Onera Health, which, while primarily focused on sleep health technology, indicates a broader interest in health-related innovations. Their diverse investment portfolio suggests a willingness to explore various sectors, including ophthalmic instruments.


11. Pmv

  • Website: pmv.eu
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
  • Founded year: 2001
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 11
  • LinkedIn: pmv-eu

Participatiemaatschappij Vlaanderen (PMV) is a public entity based in Brussels, Belgium, that acts as an investment company for the Flemish government. Founded in 2001, PMV provides a range of financing solutions, including loans and co-financing, to startups, scale-ups, and established businesses across various sectors such as real estate, clean tech, and life sciences. PMV also offers consulting services to help businesses navigate investment challenges and achieve sustainable growth. Notably, PMV has been involved in several transactions relevant to the ophthalmic instruments sector, including multiple funding rounds for Morrow Optics, which raised significant amounts in Series A funding in 2018 and 2020, as well as an undisclosed amount in 2022. This involvement highlights PMV's engagement in the ophthalmic instruments industry, making it a relevant investor in this field.


12. Invest-NL

  • Website: invest-nl.nl
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2020
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 17
  • LinkedIn: invest-nl

Invest-NL is an impact investment firm based in Amsterdam, founded in 2020, that focuses on financing sustainable and innovative projects in the Netherlands. They support entrepreneurs with promising plans for societal transitions, particularly in energy and technology sectors. Notably, Invest-NL has been involved in several transactions relevant to the ophthalmic instruments industry. For instance, they participated in a €38M Series B2 funding round for Microsure, a company specializing in robot-assisted microsurgery, which is directly applicable to ophthalmic procedures. Additionally, they led a $3.25M extension of Microsure's Series B funding, further supporting the development of their micro-surgical robot, MUSA. Invest-NL also participated in funding rounds for other medical technology companies, such as Onera Health, which focuses on polysomnography systems, indicating their broader interest in healthcare innovations. Through these investments, Invest-NL aims to mobilize capital for impactful projects that contribute to a more sustainable economy, including advancements in medical technology.


13. Qbic Fund | Venture Capital

  • Website: qbic.be
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Ghent, Flanders, Belgium
  • Founded year: 2012
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 5
  • LinkedIn: qbic

Qbic Fund | Venture Capital is a venture capital fund based in Ghent, Flanders, Belgium, founded in 2012. The fund specializes in seed and early-stage investments in innovative companies across various sectors, with a strong emphasis on creating impact through technological breakthroughs. Qbic supports its portfolio companies throughout their growth, focusing on sectors such as biotechnology and technology. Notably, Qbic has been involved in significant transactions within the ophthalmic instruments context, including investments in EyeD Pharma, which is dedicated to developing ophthalmic products and has raised substantial funding to advance its clinical research. Additionally, Qbic has invested in Morrow Optics, a company that is likely engaged in optical technologies, further highlighting its interest in the ophthalmic field. These transactions demonstrate Qbic's active role in supporting innovation in the ophthalmic instruments industry.


14. Holland Capital

  • Website: hollandcapital.nl
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 1981
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: holland-venture

Holland Capital is a venture capital and private equity investment firm based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 1981. The firm specializes in providing growth financing and buy-out capital to small and medium-sized enterprises across various sectors, including technology, healthcare, and agrifood. With over 40 years of experience, Holland Capital actively supports its portfolio companies to achieve optimal growth. Notably, they have been involved in several transactions within the healthcare sector, such as their investments in Sirius Medical, which focuses on surgical tumor location software, and U-Needle, which is scaling up production for its medical device. These transactions highlight Holland Capital's commitment to advancing healthcare technologies, positioning them as a potential investor in the ophthalmic instruments industry.


15. Forbion

  • Website: forbion.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Naarden, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2006
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 23
  • LinkedIn: forbion-capital-partners

Forbion is a venture capital firm based in Naarden, North Holland, Netherlands, specializing in the life sciences and bioeconomy sectors. Founded in 2006, Forbion provides investment management and support to biotech companies, helping them develop innovative therapies and technologies. The firm collaborates with entrepreneurs and academic institutions to address unmet medical needs and improve patient outcomes. Notably, Forbion led a $37 million financing round for Oxular, which is focused on developing treatments for diabetic macular edema, a significant ophthalmic condition. This investment highlights Forbion's commitment to advancing ophthalmic therapies. Additionally, they have been involved in various other transactions in the life sciences sector, indicating a robust portfolio and expertise in supporting innovative medical technologies.


16. Zeeuws InvesteringsFonds BV


Zeeuws InvesteringsFonds BV is a venture capital investment fund based in Roosendaal, North Brabant, Netherlands, founded in 2012. The fund specializes in providing capital and support to young technology companies across various sectors in the Netherlands, investing between €400,000 and €1,000,000 in startups that have developed innovative products or services. Notably, Zeeuws InvesteringsFonds has participated in funding rounds for companies such as Eaglet Eye and DOVIDEQ medical, both of which are involved in the medical technology space, including ophthalmic instruments. Additionally, they invested in Soteria Medical and Mimetas, the latter focusing on organ-on-a-chip technology, which, while not directly ophthalmic, indicates a broader interest in medical innovations. The fund also offers expertise and networking opportunities to enhance the growth potential of its portfolio companies, which may benefit those in the ophthalmic sector.



Ophthalmic Instruments Insights: Key Investors in Benelux


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
European Innovation Council (EIC)Brussels, Brussels, Belgium201-500195857
Gilde HealthcareUtrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands51-200198212
Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij (BOM)Tilburg, North Brabant, Netherlands51-200198310
CvcLuxembourg1001-5000200516
Innovation IndustriesAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands11-50201710
GimvAntwerp, Flanders, Belgium51-20019808
NoshaqBelgium11-50198511
NLC - The European Healthtech Venture BuilderAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands51-20020146
Exor N.V.Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands11-50200926
imec.xpandLeuven, Flanders, Belgium1-1020175
PmvBrussels, Brussels, Belgium51-200200111
Invest-NLAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands51-200202017
Qbic Fund | Venture CapitalGhent, Flanders, Belgium1-1020125
Holland CapitalAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands11-5019813
ForbionNaarden, North Holland, Netherlands11-50200623
Zeeuws InvesteringsFonds BVRoosendaal, North Brabant, Netherlands1-1020120


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