OPTI Kinetics
OPTI Kinetics is a UK-based designer and manufacturer of LED projection lighting systems and proprietary effect wheels, founded in 1970 and serving healthcare/sensory, entertainment, and consumer markets globally with a 50+ year product heritage.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1970
- HeadquartersLuton, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What OPTI Kinetics does
OPTI Kinetics (legal entity Optikinetics Limited) is a UK-based designer and manufacturer of specialist LED lighting projection effects systems, founded on 27 November 1970 in London by five creative lighting engineers — Neil Rice, Keith Canadine, Phil Bunker, John Harding, and Nick Turnbull — and now headquartered at 38 Cromwell Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The company designs, develops, and manufactures its entire product range in the UK with no imported parts, operating from a former hat factory in Luton that has housed the business since late 1972. Its core technology pairs LED light engines with proprietary accessories — interchangeable 6-inch and 9-inch liquid 'lava type' wheels, 50mm cassettes, magnetic gobo holders, and full precision glass lens systems — to generate dynamic visual projections. Iconic products include the Solar 250 projector (launched 1973, over 70,000 units produced), the GoboPro range with DMX512/RDM professional control, the VAT-exempt Aura sensory projector, and the consumer-targeted Kino projector.
The product portfolio is organized across four lines serving distinct verticals: Kino (consumer home entertainment, launched via Indiegogo), Aura (healthcare/sensory, VAT-exempt, for autism, dementia, and anxiety care), Gobo (professional static and rotating gobo projection for events, retail, museums, and architectural feature projection), and Solar (versatile effects projection across entertainment and sensory markets). Complementing projectors is an accessory ecosystem of 200+ effect wheels, 50mm cassettes, and mounting/optical accessories (£38.50–£58.00 per wheel), which functions as a recurring consumables revenue stream attached to the installed base.
OPTI Kinetics operates a hybrid go-to-market combining direct e-commerce sales through optikinetics.co.uk with a long-established network of channel partners — Rompa, Flaghouse, The Glow Company, Middlesex Sound & Lighting (25+ years), Total Sensory, Eneso (Spain), LTT Poland (since 2007), and Amajo (Norway) — plus a dedicated North American sales office in Ashland, Virginia with Canadian support. Revenue is generated primarily through one-time hardware sales at modest price points (Aura £159.99, GoboPro 200W £1,350 RRP) supplemented by accessory/consumable purchases and custom gobo manufacturing services. Customer segments are led by Healthcare & Sensory (therapy providers, special-needs education, care homes) and Entertainment & Events (corporate events, theaters, venues, bars), with a growing Consumer/Personal Use segment addressed via crowdfunding.
OPTI Kinetics firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- OPTI Kinetics
- Legal name
- Optikinetics Limited
- Website
- https://optikinetics.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1970
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- OPTI Kinetics is a UK-based designer and manufacturer of LED projection lighting systems and proprietary effect wheels, founded in 1970 and serving healthcare/sensory, entertainment, and consumer markets globally with a 50+ year product heritage.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
OPTI Kinetics industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Specialist Lighting Projection Equipment
- NAICS
- Electric Lighting Equipment Manufacturing (3351)
- SIC
- Electric Lighting & Wiring Equipment (3640)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Specialty & Task/Workstation Lighting (Inspection/task lights, cleanroom/food-grade, portable work lights) (IMAGAIAK)
Keywords
Where OPTI Kinetics is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Luton
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
OPTI Kinetics business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Hardware Product Sales: Direct sales of lighting projectors (Kino, Aura, GoboPro, Solar series) and accessories through e-commerce website and distribution partners. Products include one-time purchases with optional accessories and effect wheels.
- Effect Wheels and Consumables: Sales of interchangeable effect wheels, cassettes, and accessories. Customers purchase additional effect wheels (£38.50-£58.00 for wheels) to expand their projector capabilities. Over 200 different wheel effects available.
- Custom Gobo Manufacturing: Custom gobo and effect creation services for events, sponsors, bands, or special events. Allows personalization of projections for specific applications.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Aura Sensory Light Projector - £159.99 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | GoboPro 200W LED - £1,350 RRP |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | 9-inch Max Effects Wheels - £58.00 each |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | 6-inch Liquid Wheels - £55.50 each |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | 50mm Cassettes - £45.00 each |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | 6-inch Picture Wheels - £38.50 each |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
OPTI Kinetics product offering
Product offeringCore offering
OPTI Kinetics designs, manufactures, and sells specialist LED lighting projection effects, including the Solar, Gobo, Aura, and Kino projector ranges, supported by a library of 200+ interchangeable effect wheels, cassettes, and mounting/optical accessories. Products are designed and manufactured in the UK at the Luton facility and sold to corporate, healthcare/sensory, and personal entertainment markets worldwide through direct e-commerce and a network of distributors.
Product overview
OPTI Kinetics is a specialist lighting projection effects company offering a portfolio of LED projectors and effects accessories. The core product lines include: (1) Kino - a retro-style consumer projector for home entertainment featuring psychedelic liquid effects; (2) Aura - a sensory light projector for healthcare/relaxation applications with wifi app control and VAT exemption; (3) Gobo projectors (GoboPro 200W, GoboPro 200W Indoor, GoboPro+ LED, Gobo40) - professional-grade projectors for static/rotating gobo projection with DMX control, used in retail, events, architecture, and healthcare signage; (4) Solar projectors (Solar 80, Solar 100 LED, Solar Sensory LED, Solar 250 LED, Solar FX LED) - versatile effects projectors compatible with wheels, cassettes, and gobos for entertainment, therapy, and sensory applications. Supporting the projector range are effect wheels (6-inch and 9-inch liquid, picture, and artist designs), cassettes, and mounting/optical accessories (brackets, lenses, rotators, power supplies). Products are designed and manufactured in the UK (Luton headquarters) with a North American sales office in Virginia. The company was founded in 1970 and pioneered liquid 'lava type' wheel effects in the 1970s-80s psychedelic era.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Kino Projector Limited-edition retro-modern psychedelic light projector for home entertainment, featuring a 10W LED producing 600 lumens with an 85mm lens, compatibility with 6-inch OptiKinetics effect wheels, and wifi-enabled smartphone app control (iOS & Android). Targeted at individual consumers and content creators.
- Aura Projector Multi-effects sensory light projector designed for individuals with sensory processing differences, autism, anxiety, and sleep difficulties, featuring a 6W LED producing 600 lumens, 85mm glass lens, wifi/timer/dimmer control, and Tuya-based smartphone app. VAT exempt and includes 1 free effect wheel, external power supply, table stand, and 3-year warranty (extendable to 3 years free on registration). Priced at £159.99.
- GoboPro 200W (Outdoor) Professional IP65 outdoor gobo projector with a 200W LED engine producing 4,500 lumens at 7500K, fluid cooling, on-board DMX512/RDM control, magnetic gobo holder, and dual gobo wheel (static and rotating). Supports 45/60/85/120mm lens options. Designed for architectural landmarks, immersive environments, and dynamic branding for events. RRP £1,350.
- GoboPro 200W Indoor Indoor version of the GoboPro 200W combining a 200W LED light engine (4,500 lumens, 7500K) with flexible lens options (45-150mm and zoom), fluid cooling, on-board DMX control, IP65 rating, magnetic gobo holder, and dual gobo wheel with rotation. Designed for events, retail, museums, attractions, and architectural feature projection.
- GoboPro+ LED Professional 120W LED gobo projector producing 8,000 lumens and 3,800 lux illuminance at 1m, IP65 rated for indoor/outdoor use. Features the unique 50mm cassette design for static and rotating gobo projection, DMX control, 52.5mm lenses, and low power consumption. 3-year warranty.
- Gobo40 Compact, fully sealed gobo projector designed for healthcare environments (hospitals and care homes) where infection prevention is critical. Sealed construction minimizes contamination risk and can be combined with a PIR proximity sensor for dynamic signage. Simple operation with no complicated controls.
- Solar FX LED Versatile 120W LED effects projector producing 8,000 lumens and 3,800 lux, IP65 rated for indoor/outdoor use. Compatible with all OptiKinetics effects (wheels, cassettes, gobos). Features 50mm cassette design for static and rotating projection, DMX control, and 52.5mm lens options. Weight 8kg.
- Solar 80 Compact FX projector, the company's smallest yet effective model. Features built-in motor and wireless control for simplified installation and operation, a unique lens system that delivers sharp, crisp projections, and compatibility with a kaleidoscope lens and magnetic wheel rotator adaptor.
- Solar 100 LED Compact, lightweight effects projector with a 20W LED producing 1,400 lumens, designed for small rooms. Low voltage, cool, and virtually silent operation. Compatible with all effects (wheels, cassettes, gobos). External mains adaptor enables safe use in hydrotherapy environments. Available with 60mm or 85mm lens.
- Solar Sensory LED Effects projector specifically designed for the sensory market (VAT exempt product). Features unique plug-in sockets that encourage interactivity, allowing users to switch effects ON/OFF and START/STOP the effects wheel. Used for relaxation, storytelling, reminiscence therapy, and lighting therapy. Compatible with all effects including wheels, cassettes, and gobos.
- Solar 250 LED Quiet, cool-running, low-energy effects projector with brighter and whiter LED light output than the original halogen model. Iconic product from 1973, with over 70,000 units produced. Used predominantly in entertainment facilities. Compatible with all effects including wheels, cassettes, and gobos. Easy setup with no prior experience required.
- Effect Wheels Rotating effect wheels compatible with OptiKinetics projectors, available in multiple sizes: 6-inch (liquid, picture, artist design, priced £38.50-£55.50 each) and 9-inch Max Effects (priced £58.00 each). Options include psychedelic liquid wheels (e.g., Tutti Frutti, Jungle Jive, Pink Lady, Rainbow Dream, Blue Moon), thematic picture wheels (Animals, At the Farm, At the Zoo, 2D Shapes, ABC, Film themes), and artist-designed effect wheels (African Safari, Aquarium, Coral Reef, Forest, Planets, Woodland). Over 200 different wheel effects available.
- Cassettes 50mm cassette effects compatible with OptiKinetics projectors, available in various designs including liquid effects, stars, and numbered patterns. Used for creating projected patterns and effects. Priced at £45.00 each.
- Mounting & Optical Accessories Range of mounting brackets, table stands, pole mounting adapters, and power supplies for OptiKinetics projectors. Includes circular base table stand, right-angled mounting bracket, IP65 PSU for Gobo Pro+, and various lens options (45mm to 150mm metal lenses for gobo projectors, 60mm/85mm/100mm plastic lenses for Solar projectors).
- Custom Gobo & Effect Manufacturing Custom gobo and effect creation services for events, sponsors, bands, and special events, allowing personalization of projections for specific applications.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 70,000 Solar 250 projectors produced since 1973
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use OPTI Kinetics
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
OPTI Kinetics technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
Feature7 records
OPTI Kinetics partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, regional and strategic.
- RompacoreLong-standing distribution partnership. Rompa distributes OPTI Kinetics products for healthcare and special needs markets. Owner George Carmel states '[Opti] Kinetics always delivers safe, reliable, top-quality products.'
- FlaghousecoreHealthcare equipment distributor carrying OPTI Kinetics products for special needs and sensory applications.
- The Glow CompanycoreUK retailer of lighting products. Buyer Jenny Cameron notes OPTI Kinetics provides 'technical information in a non patronising way' and resolves problems efficiently.
- Middlesex Sound & LightingcoreProfessional audio-visual equipment distributor with 25+ year relationship with OPTI Kinetics. Owner Mike Olivier notes products 'really stood the test of time.'
- Total SensorycoreUK sensory equipment supplier. Director Vanessa Ford reports 'the team have always been helpful and prompt' for customer service.
- Eneso Tecnología de Adaptación (Spain)regionalSpanish assistive technology company. CTO Salvador Sancha uses OPTI Kinetics projectors for interactive sensory stimulation environments.
- LTT PolandregionalPolish healthcare equipment distributor. Partnership since 2007. Wioletta Całczyńska notes OPTI Kinetics 'is a company that cares about its clients' and provides reliable support when issues arise.
- Amajo as (Norway)strategicNorwegian company working with occupational therapist Turid Hovland to provide multisensory environment solutions. Long-standing partnership for developing flexible solutions for sensory stimulation.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
OPTI Kinetics competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Chauvet Lighting: One of the largest entertainment and architectural lighting manufacturers globally, offering gobo projectors, LED effects, and DMX-controlled fixtures that overlap with OPTI Kinetics' GoboPro/Solar range for events and venues. Comparable on technology and customer base (event producers, installers), but far broader and more general-purpose.
- Martin Professional (Harman): Major professional lighting brand owned by Harman, producing architectural and event projection/lighting fixtures including gobo and effect projectors that compete with OPTI Kinetics' GoboPro line in commercial and entertainment installations. Much larger and broader portfolio.
- Robe Lighting: Czech-based manufacturer of professional moving-head and effect lighting widely used in entertainment venues. Overlaps with OPTI Kinetics in the events and effects projector category but serves a far broader and higher-volume market.
- ADJ Products (Elation Professional): US entertainment lighting manufacturer offering LED effect projectors, gobo fixtures, and DMX-controlled lighting sold into the same event/DJ/venue channels as OPTI Kinetics' GoboPro and Solar ranges. Broader catalog but comparable end-customers.
Direct peers
- Experia USA/UK: Specialist manufacturer of multi-sensory environment equipment including bubble tubes, fiber optics, and sensory lighting used in Snoezelen rooms, schools, and therapy centers. Directly competes with OPTI Kinetics' Aura and Solar Sensory projectors in the same sensory/healthcare channel.
- BeamZ Lighting / Tronios: European effects and DJ lighting brand offering gobo projectors, LED effects, and moonflower/laser fixtures that directly compete with OPTI Kinetics' lower-priced effect projector line for parties, DJs, and home entertainment.
- Eurolite (Steinigke Showtechnic): German manufacturer of event and effect lighting including LED gobo projectors, mirror balls, and DJ effects that overlap directly with OPTI Kinetics' effects projector product family in the European entertainment market.
Emerging players
- GoboSource / CustomGobos.com: US custom gobo manufacturer producing metal and glass gobos plus projectors for events, weddings, and corporate branding. Adjacent rather than directly competing with OPTI Kinetics' proprietary projectors but serves the same gobo-projection use cases.
- Lumeo / Litepanels (Vitec Group): LED panel and soft lighting producer for film/broadcast and content creators. Adjacent LED lighting technology overlap and partial overlap in creator/event markets that OPTI Kinetics serves through Kino and GoboPro products.
Others
- Snoezelen Multi-Sensory International: Trade body and standards organization for multi-sensory environments. Not a direct competitor but shapes the regulatory and purchasing environment in which OPTI Kinetics' sensory projectors (Aura, Solar Sensory) are specified for healthcare and education.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
OPTI Kinetics social profiles
Digital presenceOPTI Kinetics financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
OPTI Kinetics leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
OPTI Kinetics funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
OPTI Kinetics 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 OPTI Kinetics
What does OPTI Kinetics do?
OPTI Kinetics designs, manufactures, and sells specialist LED lighting projection effects, including the Solar, Gobo, Aura, and Kino projector ranges, supported by a library of 200+ interchangeable effect wheels, cassettes, and mounting/optical accessories. Products are designed and manufactured in the UK at the Luton facility and sold to corporate, healthcare/sensory, and personal entertainment markets worldwide through direct e-commerce and a network of distributors.
Is OPTI Kinetics a public or private company?
OPTI Kinetics is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was OPTI Kinetics founded?
OPTI Kinetics was founded in 1970. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is OPTI Kinetics based?
OPTI Kinetics is headquartered in Luton, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does OPTI Kinetics make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Hardware Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are effect Wheels and Consumables and custom Gobo Manufacturing.
Who are OPTI Kinetics's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Chauvet Lighting, Martin Professional (Harman), Robe Lighting and ADJ Products (Elation Professional). Direct peers are Experia USA/UK, BeamZ Lighting / Tronios and Eurolite (Steinigke Showtechnic). Emerging players are GoboSource / CustomGobos.com and Lumeo / Litepanels (Vitec Group). Snoezelen Multi-Sensory International is listed as an others.
Does OPTI Kinetics have an API?
No public API is recorded for OPTI Kinetics.
What industry is OPTI Kinetics in?
OPTI Kinetics's product category is Specialist Lighting Projection Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAGAIAK, Specialty & Task/Workstation Lighting (Inspection/task lights, cleanroom/food-grade, portable work lights). Its NAICS code is 3351 and its SIC code is 3640.