Horizons Optical
Horizons Optical is a Barcelona-based B2B optical technology company that licenses proprietary freeform lens designs, personalized coating formulas, and AI-powered retail tools to ophthalmic laboratories and optical retailers worldwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersBarcelona, Spain
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
Horizons Optical firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Horizons Optical
- Legal name
- HORIZONS OPTICAL S.L.U.
- Website
- https://horizonsoptical.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Horizons Optical is a Barcelona-based B2B optical technology company that licenses proprietary freeform lens designs, personalized coating formulas, and AI-powered retail tools to ophthalmic laboratories and optical retailers worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Horizons Optical industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Ophthalmic Lens Technology
- NAICS
- Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing (339115), Ophthalmic Goods Merchant Wholesalers (423460)
- SIC
- Ophthalmic Goods (3851), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Optical Dispensing & Eyewear Devices (Frames, Lenses, Lens Edging/Finishing Equipment) (HLAHAJAD)
Keywords
Where Horizons Optical is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Barcelona
- HQ country
- Spain
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Horizons Optical business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others
Revenue model
- Custom Lens Design Licensing: Licensing of proprietary freeform lens designs to ophthalmic laboratories. Labs receive access to specialized progressive, single vision, and use-specific lens designs tailored to their production capabilities.
- Personalized Coating Formulas: Custom anti-reflective and protective coating formulations developed for specific laboratory needs, including eyecare coatings (Nature IR, Emerald IR, Digital IR, Digital), clear coatings (Nature, Contrast, Achromatic), and sun coatings (Sun IR, Mirrors).
- Software Tools and Platforms: AI-powered lens centering (INVISION® Fit AI), 3D thickness simulation (360 Depict), VR lens simulation (mimesys® Coach), and CAIRO coating control software provided as technology solutions to labs and retailers.
- Consultancy Services: Technical and business consultancy for lens design implementation, coating optimization, and marketing support, including process consulting at all levels, training, and ongoing optimization.
- VR Solutions and Hardware: VR-based solutions including mimesys® Progressive with VR, mimesys® Office with VR, mimesys® SV with VR, and mimesys® RELAX with VR for capturing gaze dynamics data and customer demonstration.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom Lens Designs - Tailored pricing based on laboratory requirements |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Horizons Optical product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Horizons Optical develops and licenses proprietary freeform ophthalmic lens designs, personalized coating formulas, and AI/VR-based optical technology tools (lens centering, 3D thickness simulation, VR lens simulation, coating control software) to ophthalmic laboratories and optical retailers globally. The company monetizes primarily through licensing its patented lens designs and technology platforms rather than manufacturing physical products.
Product overview
Horizons Optical is a platform-plus-modules architecture offering advanced optical technology solutions for freeform laboratories and optical retailers. The core portfolio consists of three main product categories: (1) Lens Designs including progressive lenses (mimesys® Progressive with VR, mimesys® Essence, Orion, MaxView, Aqua, Liquid, Easy), use-specific lenses (mimesys® Office with VR, Kare, OFFICE screens, DriveGT, Millennials, Bifocal FF, High Prescriptions, Extreme Prescriptions, Curved Style), and single vision lenses (mimesys® SV with VR, mimesys® SV ESSENCE, Vanguard Single, mimesys® RELAX with VR); (2) Personalized Coating Formulas including eyecare coatings (Nature IR, Emerald IR, Digital IR, Digital), clear coatings (Nature, Contrast, Achromatic), and sun coatings (Sun IR, Mirrors); and (3) Retail Solutions including INVISION® Fit AI for AI-powered lens centering, Invision 360 Depict for 3D thickness simulation, mimesys® Coach for VR-based virtual lens simulation, and dispensing tools. The mimesys® Universe serves as the overarching technology ecosystem unifying VR experiences, gaze dynamics data, and AI personalization across the product portfolio.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- mimesys: VR-integrated lens technology ecosystem including progressive lenses, single vision lenses, and office lenses customized based on gaze dynamics
- INVISION
- 360 Depict
- mimesys Coach
- CAIRO
- INVISION Made4U
Products and services
- mimesys® Progressive with VR Advanced progressive lens design optimized using virtual reality technology that captures individual gaze dynamics and allows users to experience and adapt to their lenses before purchase through immersive simulation.
- mimesys® Essence (Progressive) Data-driven progressive lens design that distills insights from thousands of gaze dynamics into personalized lens optimization, making advanced customization accessible to all users.
- Orion Progressive lens design representing a new philosophy of progressive vision with unparalleled precision and aesthetics; first design to consider astigmatism gradient.
- MaxView Progressive lens design delivering maximum performance in every look with crystal-clear vision throughout the lens.
- Aqua Progressive lens design providing lifetime of crystal-clear vision with advanced optical performance.
- Liquid Progressive lens design empowering the user's view of the world with seamless visual transitions.
- Easy Progressive lens design focused on ease of adaptation and comfortable vision across all distances.
- mimesys® Office with VR Use-specific lens design for workspace environments developed with VR technology, providing comfort and performance for office and screen work.
- Kare Disruptive lens design specifically developed for myopia control and management.
- OFFICE screens Use-specific lens design optimized for digital screen viewing and office work environments.
- DriveGT Use-specific lens design engineered for driving with enhanced visual performance and safety.
- Millennials Use-specific lens design tailored for the millennial generation's unique visual needs and lifestyle.
- Bifocal FF Freeform bifocal lens design offering alternatives to progressive lenses with segmented vision correction.
- High Prescriptions Use-specific lens design optimized for patients with high prescription requirements.
- Extreme Prescriptions Use-specific lens design for extreme myopia providing visual solutions for the most challenging prescriptions.
- Curved Style Use-specific lens design for curved and wraparound frames, solving prescription challenges for sports and fashion frames.
- mimesys® RELAX with VR Anti-fatigue single vision lens with VR technology for young users and pre-presbyopes, designed to reduce digital eye strain.
- mimesys® SV with VR Single vision lens optimized using VR technology for precision, comfort, and clarity at every distance.
- mimesys® SV ESSENCE The only single vision lens designed according to gaze dynamics trends, offering personalized solutions for each age group based on data-driven insights.
- Vanguard Single Single vision lens design delivering sharp vision for every distance and daily activity.
- Nature IR (Eyecare Coating) Eyecare coating combining aesthetics and infrared protection in a single filter for enhanced visual comfort and eye protection.
- Emerald IR Eyecare coating with advanced infrared blocking technology for superior eye protection and visual clarity.
- Digital IR Eyecare coating designed for digital device users, providing protection against infrared and digital eye strain.
- Digital (Eyecare Coating) Eyecare coating optimized for digital screen viewing with enhanced blue light filtration properties.
- Nature (Clear Coating) Super anti-reflective invisible clear coating delivering crystal-clear optics with superior transparency.
- Contrast Clear coating with enhanced contrast properties for improved visual perception and clarity.
- Achromatic Clear coating designed to eliminate chromatic aberration for pristine visual quality.
- Sun IR Sun coating with infrared protection for outdoor use, reducing glare and protecting eyes from harmful radiation.
- Mirrors Reflective sun coating available in mirror finishes for style and additional glare reduction.
- INVISION® Fit AI AI-powered advanced lens centering platform combining 3D technology with artificial intelligence for nanometric precision alignment, controlling over 100,000 measurement points for perfect lens-to-vision alignment.
- Invision 360 Depict 3D thickness simulator enabling precise visualization of lens thickness, recommending appropriate lens materials based on prescription, frame type, and aesthetic preferences.
- mimesys® Coach Virtual lens simulator using VR technology that allows consumers to experience the effects of various lenses as if actually wearing them, enabling confident lens recommendations.
- Dispensing Tools Cabinet tools and point-of-sale materials that help optical professionals demonstrate lens benefits and characteristics, making the intangible visible to customers.
- Cairo (CAIRO Software) Unique web-based software enabling laboratories to control multilayer coating recipes in real-time, providing diagnostics and automatic corrections for consistent high-quality results.
- Consultancy Services Process consulting services at all levels including lens design implementation, coating formula customization, marketing strategy, and technical support for optical laboratories and retailers.
Companies that use Horizons Optical
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Horizons Optical technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability8 records
Feature10 records
Horizons Optical partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Mercadao dos OculoscoreStrategic partnership announced in January 2026 to transform the customer experience within optical stores. The collaboration enables Mercadao dos Oculos to leverage Horizons Optical's retail solutions and technologies to differentiate their optical retail experience, implementing advanced lens visualization, centering, and simulation tools.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Horizons Optical competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Indizen Optical Technologies (IOT): Spanish freeform lens design company licensing proprietary progressive and occupational lens designs plus coatings to ophthalmic labs. Closest peer to Horizons' core lens design licensing business and shares the Spain HQ origin.
- Shamir Optical Industry: Israeli freeform progressive and occupational lens designer serving labs and ECPs globally. Directly comparable technology platform covering lens designs, coatings, and now digital measurement/AI tools across B2B and retail channels.
Broad incumbents
- HOYA Corporation: Global ophthalmic lens manufacturer with proprietary freeform designs, photochromic and AR coatings, and dispenser tools. Comparable across Horizons' lens design and coating businesses but with significantly broader scope including lens manufacturing.
- EssilorLuxottica: World's largest ophthalmic lens and eyewear group operating Varilux progressive, Transitions, and Stellest myopia control brands. Comparable across lens design, coating, retail experience, and myopia control, and sets the competitive baseline Horizons must outperform technologically.
- Carl Zeiss Meditec / Zeiss Vision: Premium ophthalmic lens and optics brand offering freeform progressive lens designs, coatings, and dispensing instruments. Overlaps with Horizons' premium lens design positioning and retail measurement tools.
- Rodenstock: German ophthalmic lens manufacturer offering freeform progressive lenses (e.g., Progressive Identity) and biometric lens design. Direct overlap with Horizons' freeform design licensing and emerging biometric/gaze-driven personalization themes.
- Seiko Optical Products: Japanese lens manufacturer with a broad portfolio of freeform progressive and single vision lens designs supplied to independent labs. Comparable technology stack in freeform design licensing to ophthalmic labs.
Emerging players
- Younger Optics: Independent lens manufacturer focused on photochromic, polarized, and specialty lens designs. Comparable as a mid-sized lens design specialist targeting labs and ECPs, though with less focus on freeform progressive design than Horizons.
Others
- Transitions Optical (EssilorLuxottica): Category leader in photochromic and protective lens coatings, directly comparable to Horizons' Nature IR, Sun IR, and Emerald IR coating portfolio. Serves as the dominant competitive reference for Horizons' coating licensing business.
- Topcon Healthcare: Provider of optical measurement and dispensing instruments used in optical retail. Comparable to Horizons' INVISION Fit AI and mimesys Coach retail tool category, illustrating how equipment incumbents may compete in the AI lens centering space.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Horizons Optical social profiles
Digital presenceHorizons Optical financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Horizons Optical leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Horizons Optical subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Horizons Optical funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Horizons Optical M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Horizons Optical
What does Horizons Optical do?
Horizons Optical develops and licenses proprietary freeform ophthalmic lens designs, personalized coating formulas, and AI/VR-based optical technology tools (lens centering, 3D thickness simulation, VR lens simulation, coating control software) to ophthalmic laboratories and optical retailers globally. The company monetizes primarily through licensing its patented lens designs and technology platforms rather than manufacturing physical products.
Is Horizons Optical a public or private company?
Horizons Optical is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Horizons Optical founded?
Horizons Optical was founded in 2002. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Horizons Optical based?
Horizons Optical is headquartered in Barcelona, Spain, in the Europe region.
How does Horizons Optical make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Custom Lens Design Licensing is the primary driver. The others are personalized Coating Formulas, software Tools and Platforms, consultancy Services and VR Solutions and Hardware.
Who are Horizons Optical's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Indizen Optical Technologies (IOT) and Shamir Optical Industry. Broad incumbents are HOYA Corporation, EssilorLuxottica, Carl Zeiss Meditec / Zeiss Vision, Rodenstock and Seiko Optical Products. Younger Optics is listed as an emerging player. Others are Transitions Optical (EssilorLuxottica) and Topcon Healthcare.
Does Horizons Optical have an API?
No public API is recorded for Horizons Optical.
What industry is Horizons Optical in?
Horizons Optical's product category is Ophthalmic Lens Technology. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAHAJAD, Optical Dispensing & Eyewear Devices (Frames, Lenses, Lens Edging/Finishing Equipment). Its NAICS code is 339115 and its SIC code is 3851.