What Vaonis does

Vaonis is a French privately held company founded in 2016 by Cyril Dupuy that designs, manufactures in France, and sells globally a portfolio of smart telescopes integrating optics, digital imaging sensors, and smartphone app control. Its current lineup spans the entry-level Hestia smartphone-based telescope (from $189), the mid-range Vespera II ($1,590), the premium Vespera 3 ($2,490), the high-end Vespera Pro 2 ($2,990), and the forthcoming professional Hyperia observatory (from $99,000, developed in partnership with Canon). Core technology combines Sony CMOS sensors with proprietary ENS (Embedded New Solutions) technologies — CovalENS for live panorama/mosaic capture, PerseverENS for multi-night stacking, AcutENS for autofocus at 18µm precision, ResiliENS for autonomous defogging, and BalENS for image enhancement — orchestrated through the Singularity and Gravity mobile applications and the LumENS AI astronomy companion. Two granted patents cover CovalENS and the Hestia six-lens optical design.

The company operates a direct-to-consumer go-to-market via vaonis.com with warehouses in France (international) and California (US), interest-free installment payments, a 30-day trial, and a 5-year warranty. Distribution is supplemented by select global retailers and limited-edition drops (Vespera Passengers, 222 units sold in under 10 days). Revenue is generated almost entirely through one-time hardware sales plus accessories (filters, tripods, backpacks, sensors priced $19-$807). Customer segments target astronomy enthusiasts, beginners, photographers/content creators, families and educators, tech-savvy users, and — via Hyperia — professional observatories, museums, and science centers. Vaonis holds no disclosed institutional funding and is founder-led, with Technical Director Gilles Krebs and team member Stéphanie Simpraseuth as key early contributors alongside Dupuy.

Name

Vaonis

Legal name

Vaonis

Website

https://vaonis.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Vaonis is a French privately held company that designs and manufactures smart telescopes combining optics, digital sensors, and smartphone app control, selling direct-to-consumer worldwide across consumer ($189 entry-level to $2,990 prosumer) and professional ($99,000+ institutional observatory) tiers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Smart Telescopes

NAICS

Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)

SIC

Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827), Photographic Equipment & Supplies (3861)

akta.pro primary industry

Binoculars, Scopes & Sport Optics Retail (CRACAHAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wildlife Viewing & Optics (Binoculars, Spotting Scopes) Retail (CRAMAAAK), Lenses & Optical Accessories (Lenses, Filters, Adapters, Teleconverters) (CRACAPAF), Action Cameras & Adventure Imaging Retail (CRACAHAD)

Keywords

• Smart telescopes
• Automated astrophotography
• Telescope camera systems
• Stargazing equipment
• App-controlled telescopes

Headquarters

HQ city

Clapiers

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Smart Telescope Hardware Sales: Vaonis generates revenue primarily through one-time hardware sales of their smart telescope products. Products include Vespera 3, Vespera II, Vespera Pro 2, Hestia, and Hyperia. Each telescope is a complete all-in-one device combining optics, sensor, processing, and app connectivity. Accessories and filters are sold separately.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Vaonis designs, manufactures, and sells smart telescopes that integrate telescope optics, digital camera sensors, and smartphone app control into a single all-in-one device for automated astrophotography. The lineup spans entry-level models (Hestia starting at $189), mid-range through premium consumer units (Vespera II, Vespera 3, Vespera Pro 2 from $1,590 to $2,990), and the professional-grade Hyperia observatory starting at $99,000. Products are differentiated by proprietary ENS embedded technologies, AI-powered guidance, and companion mobile apps.

Product overview

Vaonis is a French company specializing in smart telescopes that combine optical instruments with digital imaging and smartphone control. The product portfolio centers on smart telescopes across multiple tiers: Hestia (entry-level smartphone-based telescope, $189), Vespera II (mid-range all-in-one smart telescope, $1,590), Vespera 3 (affordable premium smart telescope, $2,490), Vespera Pro 2 (high-end astrophotography telescope, $2,990), and Hyperia (professional observatory-grade instrument, $99,000+). Legacy products include Stellina (first smart telescope ever made, discontinued) and Vespera Passengers (limited edition, sold out). The ecosystem includes Singularity and Gravity mobile apps for telescope control, LumENS AI companion for educational astronomy assistance, and proprietary ENS (Embedded New Solutions) technologies including CovalENS (panorama mode), PerseverENS (multi-night stacking), AcutENS (autofocus), ResiliENS (defogging), and BalENS (image enhancement). Accessories include solar filters, light pollution filters, dual band filters, tripods, carrying cases, and sensor modules. Vaonis products are designed and manufactured in France with a focus on accessibility, automation, and astrophotography capability.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Stellina: First smart telescope ever made, combining telescope and camera with automated observation and app control. Launched 2017, now discontinued but supported.
• Vespera
• Vespera Pro
• Hestia
• Hyperia
• Singularity
• Gravity
• LumENS

Products and services

• Vespera 3 An all-in-one smart telescope featuring a new-generation optical design with apochromatic quadruplet, Sony IMX 585 sensor (8.3MP native, 24MP mosaic), 50mm aperture, 245mm focal length, F/4.9, optical baffles for stray-light suppression, 11-hour battery life, 115GB storage, and anti-fog system. Targets beginners and enthusiasts seeking quality astrophotography with one-touch simplicity. Priced at $2,490.
• Vespera Pro 2 The highest-definition smart telescope in the Vaonis portfolio with Sony IMX 676 sensor (12.5MP on 1:1 square format), 50mm aperture, 245mm focal length, F/4.9, finest detail resolution (1.6 arcsec/pixel), 50MP mosaic field of view, full manual exposure/gain control, 225GB storage, carbon fiber tripod, protective fly case, and BalENS imaging technology. Designed for serious astrophotographers. Priced at $2,990.
• Vespera II An all-in-one smart telescope bridging entry-level and professional use, featuring Sony IMX 585 sensor (8.3MP), 50mm aperture, 250mm focal length, F/5, CovalENS panorama mode (up to 24MP), live stacking, automatic initialization, pointing and tracking, AcutENS autofocus, waterproof, impact and UV resistant construction (5kg). The first Vespera designed for both beginners and seasoned enthusiasts. Priced at $1,590.
• Hestia A smartphone-based telescope that transforms a phone into an observation station without complex setup. Features a patented six-lens optical design with 30mm objective and prisms that focus light directly into the smartphone camera, offering 25x magnification, 1.8° field of view, and X5 sharper images than phone alone. Operates without internal electronics or battery, controlled via the Gravity app with Day, Night, Scenery, and deep sky modes. Award-winning design. Priced at $189-$299.
• Hyperia A professional-grade all-in-one smart observatory developed in collaboration with Canon, initially conceived for the Palais de la Découverte in Paris. Features 150mm aperture, f/4 focal ratio, 17 Canon precision-engineered lenses with Air Sphere Coating, 45MP full-frame back-illuminated sensor, field derotator, filter drawer, direct-drive tracking system (60°/s), aluminum weather-resistant body, and integrated app control. Designed for museums, science centers, observatories, and professional outreach. Starting at $99,000.
• Vespera Passengers Limited Edition A limited edition of 222 unique Vespera smart telescopes with exclusive individually numbered front shell (letter P followed by unit number), Gitzo carbon fiber tripod, 50mm aperture, 200mm focal length, F/4, Sony IMX585 sensor (6.2MP native, 24MP mosaic), 25GB storage, and Singularity app with CovalENS panorama mode. Sold out in less than 10 days upon launch.
• Singularity App Mobile application for controlling Vespera and Stellina smart telescopes. Features Space Center (instrument management), object catalog (4,000+ targets), live observation with real-time stacking, expert mode for manual camera settings, Plan My Night scheduling, CovalENS mosaic framing, and LumENS AI companion. Available on iOS and Android.
• Gravity App Mobile application for controlling the Hestia smartphone telescope. Features include Day mode (solar observation with solar filter), Night mode (Moon observation), alignment assistance for targeting, Scenery mode for close-up photography, and a deep sky object catalog. Available on iOS and Android.
• LumENS AI Astronomy Companion AI-powered astronomy companion embedded in the Singularity app that provides real-time contextual explanations of celestial objects being observed via voice or text interaction. Supports English and French, session-based with no data persistence for privacy. Compatible with Stellina, Vespera, Vespera II, Vespera Passengers, and Vespera Pro. Currently iOS only with Android in development.
• Vespera Solar Filter Glass solar filter for safe solar observation with Vespera telescopes, reducing light intensity to allow safe viewing of sunspots and solar activity. Required for observing the Sun. Priced at $149-$179.
• Vespera Light Pollution Filter (CLS) City Light Suppression filter for urban and suburban observation that attenuates artificial light to increase contrast between celestial objects and background sky. Priced at $229.
• Vespera Dual Band Filter Narrowband interference filter that isolates Hydrogen Alpha (H-alpha) and Oxygen III (O-III) wavelengths commonly found in nebulae, enhancing visibility of specific celestial phenomena for both urban and natural environments. Priced at $399.
• Vespera Carbon Tripod High-end carbon fiber tripod included with Vespera Pro 2, providing maximum stability for astrophotography sessions. Priced at $249.
• Hestia Premium Tripod Premium tripod designed specifically for Hestia smartphone telescope, compatible with pan and tilt fluid heads and 3/8" thread mounts. Priced at $99.
• All-Sky Filters Bundle Bundle including Dual Band Filter, City Light Suppression Filter, and Solar Filter for comprehensive observation across all sky conditions. Priced at $699-$807.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4300+ celestial objects available in catalog for automated observation
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

AI capability12 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• CanoncoreTechnology or IntegrationHyperia integrates optical technologies derived from decades of Canon expertise. Canon developed the 17-lens optical system and Air Sphere Coating anti-reflective technology used in Hyperia. Combined with Vaonis' advanced imaging and observatory-grade engineering, this creates a new standard for digital astronomical instruments.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Unistellar: Unistellar is the closest direct competitor to Vaonis, offering smart telescopes (eVscope, Odyssey, Odyssey Pro) with similar app-controlled automated astrophotography. Both companies pioneered the smart telescope category and target the same beginner-to-enthusiast customer base with comparable all-in-one form factors.
• ZWO (Seestar): ZWO's Seestar series (S30, S50, S70) directly competes with Vaonis's Vespera line in the smart telescope category. ZWO brings incumbency from traditional astronomy cameras/ASIAIR, strong community following, and aggressive pricing—making it a formidable direct competitor in automated astrophotography.

Emerging players

• Dwarf Labs: Dwarf Labs produces the Dwarf II, a compact smart telescope with dual cameras (wide-field and telephoto) targeting similar beginner-to-enthusiast astrophotographers. They compete on portability and price, particularly against Vaonis's Hestia entry-level product.
• Player One Astronomy: Player One is a newer entrant offering smart-cooled astronomy cameras and emerging smart telescope solutions targeting astrophotography enthusiasts. They represent the broadening competitive field that Vaonis must contend with as smart imaging becomes commoditized.

Broad incumbents

• Celestron: Celestron is the dominant incumbent in consumer telescopes with deep retail distribution, brand recognition, and a broad product portfolio from beginner to advanced. They are increasingly entering smart/automated telescope territory (NexStar evolution, StarSense), posing both a competitive and channel threat to Vaonis.
• Sky-Watcher: Sky-Watcher is a major traditional telescope manufacturer with global distribution and a reputation for value-oriented astronomical equipment. Their expanding smart-tracking and GoTo telescope lines place them as a broad incumbent competing for the same hobbyist market Vaonis addresses.
• Meade Instruments: Meade is a legacy telescope brand known for LX-series computerized GoTo telescopes and premium optics. They serve overlapping hobbyist customers with traditional automated telescopes and represent an established incumbent option for buyers considering smart telescope alternatives.
• Explore Scientific: Explore Scientific manufactures telescopes, eyepieces, and astronomical accessories, including computerized and smart-ready mounts. They overlap with Vaonis on the enthusiast astrophotography market and share similar channels into specialty astronomy retail.

Others

• iOptron: iOptron specializes in computerized telescope mounts and tracking systems that enable automated astrophotography. While not a direct smart telescope competitor, iOptron's CEM and CEM40 mounts serve the same astrophotographer target customer and represent adjacent technology in the automated stargazing ecosystem.

Regional players

• Evostar (Bresser): Bresser, a German optics manufacturer, offers traditional and computerized telescopes with strong European distribution that overlaps with Vaonis's French headquarters market. Their expanding line of automated scopes and Stellina-like offerings makes them a relevant regional incumbent competitor in European astronomy retail.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@vaonisdotcom
• Facebookfacebook.com/vaonis
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vaonis
• Instagraminstagram.com/vaonis/?hl=fr
• Xx.com/vaonis_fr

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Vaonis