What Sierra-Olympic Technologies does

Sierra-Olympic Technologies is a privately held infrared camera core manufacturer headquartered at 603 Portway Ave., Suite 100, Hood River, Oregon. Founded in 1995 and operating for 25+ years under President Chris Johnston, the company designs and integrates ITAR-Free mid-wave (MWIR, 3-5μm), long-wave (LWIR, 8-14μm), and short-wave (SWIR, 0.9-1.7μm) infrared camera cores for original equipment manufacturers and system integrators. The portfolio spans the Viento (HD10, 10), Ventus (Micro 225, HD6-2.4, Compact mk2), Vinden (75T), EVIDIR, Widysens, and SenS (1280) product lines at resolutions from 640x480 to 1280x1024, with in-house mechanics and electronics engineering and optics selected for sensor compatibility. The firm holds a registered EVIDIR trademark, maintains an ISO 9001 quality certification, and operates as Sierra-Olympia Technologies, Inc., a privately held Oregon corporation with 11-50 employees.

The company's core technical differentiator is in-house design of camera-core mechanics and electronics, allowing customers to move between USB3, GigE, SDI, MIPI, CMOS, Camera Link, and HDMI interfaces without restarting integration. Sierra-Olympic sells directly to OEM and integrator customers through a quote-based, multi-year contract pricing model that varies by sensor type, resolution, interface, and integration complexity; pricing is not publicly disclosed. Marketing is conducted through the corporate website (sierraolympia.com), LinkedIn, and YouTube, supplemented by technical articles on NETD, MTF, IR spectral bands, and thermal-camera interfaces aimed at an engineering audience.

Solution categories target four use cases: Airborne Cameras (LWIR imaging integrated into airborne platforms for automated inspection and remote sensing, with claimed gas-leak detection from 1,000 ft AGL), Long Range Cameras (HD thermal surveillance for persistent area coverage), Optical Gas Imaging (thermal cameras configured for fugitive-emission detection), and System Integrations (services to embed Sierra-Olympic cores into customer platforms). Distribution is global through direct sales, enabled by the ITAR-Free product posture, which removes International Traffic in Arms Regulations as a procurement barrier for international customers.

Name

Sierra-Olympic Technologies

Legal name

Sierra-Olympia Technologies, Inc.

Website

https://sierraolympic.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Sierra-Olympic Technologies is a privately held Hood River, Oregon manufacturer of ITAR-Free LWIR, MWIR, and SWIR infrared camera cores, serving OEMs and system integrators in airborne inspection, long-range surveillance, optical gas imaging, and machine vision applications.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Infrared Imaging Systems

NAICS

Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing (33431), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)

SIC

Photographic Equipment & Supplies (3861), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)

akta.pro primary industry

Machine Vision & Optical Sensing (Cameras, 3D vision, LiDAR, illumination) (IMAGAFAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) Sensors & Targeting Systems (IMABAGAC)

Keywords

• Infrared camera cores
• Thermal imaging systems
• LWIR MWIR SWIR cameras
• OEM thermal imaging
• Optical gas imaging

Headquarters

HQ city

Hood River

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Infrared Camera Core Sales: Sierra-Olympia generates revenue through the design, manufacture, and sale of LWIR, MWIR, and SWIR infrared camera cores to OEMs and system integrators. The company sells finished camera cores with various interface options (USB3, GigE, SDI, MIPI) along with associated optics, targeting customers who integrate thermal imaging into their own products and platforms.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Sierra-Olympic Technologies designs, manufactures, and supplies ITAR-Free infrared camera cores spanning LWIR (8-14µm), MWIR (3-5µm), and SWIR (0.9-1.7µm) wavelengths for OEMs and system integrators. Each camera core is built with in-house designed mechanics and electronics, carefully selected optics, and support for multiple interface standards (USB3, GigE, SDI, MIPI, CMOS, Camera Link, HDMI). The company also provides integration services and tailored solutions for airborne imaging, long-range surveillance, and optical gas imaging applications.

Product overview

Sierra-Olympia Technologies designs and integrates ITAR-Free infrared camera cores for OEMs and integrators. The product portfolio includes three infrared technology categories: LWIR (Long-Wave, 8-14µm) cameras such as Viento HD10, Viento 10, Vinden 75T, EVIDIR, and SenS 1280; MWIR (Mid-Wave, 3-5µm) cameras including Ventus Micro 225, Ventus HD6-2.4, and Ventus Compact mk2; and SWIR (Short-Wave, 0.9-1.7µm) cameras such as Widysens. These camera cores feature in-house designed mechanics and electronics with interface options including USB3, GigE, SDI, MIPI, CMOS, CameraLink, and HDMI. The company also offers solution categories for Airborne Cameras, Long Range Cameras, Optical Gas Imaging, and System Integrations, enabling applications in security surveillance, gas leak detection, and remote sensing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• EVIDIR: 640 x 480 infrared camera product line

Products and services

• Viento HD10 Long-wave infrared (LWIR) camera core with 1280x1024 resolution and multi-interface support (USB3, GigE, SDI, MIPI) for OEM and integrator integration.
• Viento 10 Long-wave infrared (LWIR) camera core with USB3, GigE, SDI, and MIPI interface options for OEM and integrator integration.
• Ventus Micro 225 Mid-wave infrared (MWIR) camera with 640 x 512 resolution for long-range security, surveillance, and optical gas imaging applications.
• Ventus Compact mk2 Compact mid-wave infrared (MWIR) camera core designed for OEM system integrations.
• Ventus HD6-2.4 Cooled mid-wave infrared (MWIR) camera operating within 3µm to 5µm wavelengths, tailored for long-range security, surveillance, and precision optical gas imaging.
• Vinden 75T Long-wave infrared (LWIR) camera core for thermal imaging applications.
• EVIDIR 640 x 480 resolution long-wave infrared (LWIR) camera core branded product line (EVIDIR®) for OEM integration.
• Widysens Short-wave infrared (SWIR) camera operating within 0.9µm to 1.7µm wavelengths, used for medical imaging and machine vision applications.
• SenS 1280 High-resolution 1280 x 1024 infrared camera core for industrial and security applications.
• Airborne Cameras Solutions Long-wave infrared (LWIR) imaging solutions integrated into airborne platforms for automated inspection and remote sensing, capable of detecting gas leaks from 1,000 ft above ground level (AGL).
• Long Range Cameras Solutions HD thermal surveillance systems delivering persistent surveillance across expansive areas with long-range detection capabilities.
• Optical Gas Imaging Solutions Thermal cameras configured for optical gas imaging (OGI) to detect and visualize fugitive emissions.
• System Integrations Solutions Integration services for incorporating Sierra-Olympic camera cores into customer platforms and systems.

Quantifiable outcome

• Detected gas leaks from 1,000 ft AGL (Above Ground Level)

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• L3Harris Technologies: Large defense and aerospace incumbent with significant EO/IR sensor and thermal imaging system offerings. Comparable to Sierra-Olympia in thermal imaging technology but focused primarily on defense/security end markets.
• Teledyne FLIR: The dominant global thermal imaging and infrared camera company, offering a full range of LWIR/MWIR cores, handhelds, and OEM modules. Directly comparable to Sierra-Olympia across nearly every product category but at vastly larger scale and with vertically integrated sensor manufacturing.
• Leonardo DRS: U.S. defense contractor with a substantial EO/IR sensor and thermal imaging portfolio serving military and security customers. Comparable in infrared imaging technology to Sierra-Olympia but oriented toward defense end markets.
• BAE Systems: Global defense prime with EO/IR sensor and thermal imaging system capabilities across airborne, naval, and ground platforms. Comparable to Sierra-Olympia in core infrared sensor/camera technology, though operating at vastly larger scale in defense markets.

Emerging players

• Axis Communications: Network video and surveillance camera leader that has expanded into thermal imaging cameras for perimeter security. Comparable to Sierra-Olympia at the intersection of security/surveillance thermal imaging and OEM-style integration into broader systems.
• Hikvision: Major Chinese security and surveillance equipment manufacturer offering thermal imaging cameras at aggressive price points. Comparable to Sierra-Olympia as a competing supplier of LWIR cameras for security and perimeter surveillance applications, particularly relevant to the competitive threat narrative.

Direct peers

• Lynred: A leading European manufacturer of infrared detectors and a growing supplier of integrated camera modules (including ATTO and ATOM product lines). Comparable to Sierra-Olympia as a supplier of infrared imaging solutions to OEM and integrator customers.
• Opgal Optronic Industries: Israel-based manufacturer of thermal imaging cameras and modules for security, industrial, and OEM applications. Directly comparable to Sierra-Olympia in offering LWIR and MWIR camera cores to system integrators across similar end markets.
• Seek Thermal: Designs and sells compact thermal imaging cameras and OEM cores for commercial, industrial, and consumer applications. Closely comparable to Sierra-Olympia as a smaller, specialized infrared camera company targeting OEM and integrator channels.
• Xenics (now part of Exosens): European specialist in SWIR and LWIR cameras and detectors for machine vision, security, and scientific applications. Comparable to Sierra-Olympia in offering SWIR and infrared imaging modules to OEM integrators.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC5uXGuTmXZjC6YGx6k-7JKg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sierraolympiatechnologiesinc
• Xx.com/sierraolympic
• Facebookfacebook.com/sierraolympictechnologies

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Sierra-Olympic Technologies