1stQ
1stQ is a German manufacturer of intraocular lenses (Liberty², AddOn®, Basis) and single-use ophthalmic surgical instruments, selling directly to eye clinics and ophthalmologists across EMEA and Asia-Pacific, with supporting IOL calculators and the RALV pre-operative visualization workflow.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1998
- HeadquartersMannheim, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What 1stQ does
1stQ Deutschland GmbH (commonly '1stQ') is a Mannheim, Germany-based medical device manufacturer founded in 1998 by Rüdiger Dworschak, specializing in intraocular lenses (IOLs), single-use ophthalmic surgical instruments, and surgical accessories for cataract surgery, refractive lens exchange, and presbyopia correction. The company's IOL portfolio spans the Liberty² dual-lens system (a monofocal capsular bag IOL combined with a multifocal sulcus AddOn), the AddOn® supplementary sulcus IOL for pseudophakic eyes, and the Basis capsular bag lens family, each available in trifocal, EDOF, Mono+, toric, and monofocal optical configurations. Manufacturing is ISO 13485-certified and conducted in Mannheim, with a 1,200-module, ~420 kWp photovoltaic installation commissioned in 2025 to support energy self-sufficient production of single-use precision instruments.
The company sells through direct B2B channels to ophthalmologists, eye clinics, hospitals, and ambulatory surgery centers across EMEA and Asia-Pacific, using quote-based enterprise pricing for IOLs, OP-Sets, injectors, and surgical liquids. Supporting services include the IOL Experience with RALV pre-operative simulation (integrated from partner DEZIMAL GmbH), IOL calculators for power determination, the 1stQ Academy e-learning portal, and field presence at major ophthalmology congresses (DGII, AAD, DOC, ESCRS, DOG) plus regional demonstration events in German cities. 1stQ operates through two legal entities (1stQ Deutschland GmbH and 1stQ GmbH) under founder-managing-director leadership, is privately held with no disclosed institutional investment, and is recognized for sustainability leadership via the DOG Pura Award 2022, the CO2-Neutralitätssiegel from Swiss Climate (2020), and Fraunhofer IBP/Medacta-validated lifecycle studies.
1stQ firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- 1stQ
- Legal name
- 1stQ Deutschland GmbH
- Website
- https://1stq.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1998
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- 1stQ is a German manufacturer of intraocular lenses (Liberty², AddOn®, Basis) and single-use ophthalmic surgical instruments, selling directly to eye clinics and ophthalmologists across EMEA and Asia-Pacific, with supporting IOL calculators and the RALV pre-operative visualization workflow.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
1stQ industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Ophthalmic Medical Devices
- NAICS
- Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing (339115), Surgical and Medical Instrument Manufacturing (339112)
- SIC
- Ophthalmic Goods (3851), Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Cataract Surgery Systems & IOLs (Phaco Systems, IOLs, Intraoperative Aberrometry, Viscoelastics) (HLAHAJAH)
Keywords
Where 1stQ is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Mannheim
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
1stQ business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Intraocular Lens Sales: Sale of proprietary IOL products including AddOn sulcus lenses, Liberty² dual-lens systems, Basis capsular bag lenses, and various optical types (trifocal, EDOF, monofocal, toric).
- Single-Use Instrument Sales: Sale of precision single-use ophthalmic surgical instruments, OP-Sets, injectors, and liquids for lens surgery.
- IOL Calculators and Services: Expert portal offering IOL calculators for precise lens calculation, service and handling support, and the 1stQ Academy e-learning platform.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Custom enterprise pricing for ophthalmology clinics and hospitals |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels7 records
1stQ product offering
Product offeringCore offering
1stQ develops and manufactures intraocular lenses (IOLs) — including the Liberty² dual-lens system, AddOn® sulcus supplementary lenses, and Basis capsular bag lenses — along with single-use ophthalmic surgical instruments, OP-Sets, injectors, and surgical liquids. The company also provides the IOL Experience with RALV preoperative visualization workflow, IOL calculators, and the 1stQ Academy e-learning platform for ophthalmologists.
Product overview
1stQ is a specialist in intraocular lenses (IOL) and innovative solutions for lens surgery. The product portfolio centers on IOL products including the IOL Navigator (selection tool), AddOn IOL (sulcus supplementary lens for pseudophakic eyes), Basis IOL (capsular bag lenses), and Liberty² (dual-lens system for presbyopia correction). These are available in multiple optical configurations: Trifocal, EDOF, Mono⁺, Toric, and Monofocal. Non-IOL offerings include single-use ophthalmic instruments, OP-Sets, injectors, and surgical liquids. Supporting services encompass IOL calculators (AddOn Calculator, CylinderCalculator, Axis Repositioning Tool, IOL Calculator), the 1stQ Academy e-learning platform, Service & Handling support, and the IOL Experience mit RALV workflow that enables preoperative visualization of postoperative vision using RALV technology from DEZIMAL GmbH.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Liberty²: Dual lens solution for flexible presbyopia correction combining a trifocal AddOn and monofocal capsular bag IOL
- AddOn® IOL
- Basis IOL
- RALV
- 1stQ Academy
- Single-Use Instruments (SUI)
Products and services
- Liberty² Dual-Lens System A unique dual-lens solution for flexible presbyopia correction combining a monofocal capsular bag IOL with a multifocal sulcus AddOn IOL, enabling enhanced spectacle independence for ophthalmologists performing cataract and refractive lens surgery.
- AddOn® IOL
Quantifiable outcome
- 89% of eyes had residual refractive astigmatism ≤0.50 D after AddOn toric IOL implantation
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use 1stQ
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
1stQ technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
1stQ partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- DEZIMAL GmbHcorePartnership for RALV (Real Artificial Lens Vision) technology - a simulation device allowing patients to experience visual outcomes with different IOL types before surgery. RALV is described as a product of DEZIMAL GmbH, with 1stQ integrating it into their IOL Experience workflow and practice tools.
- PLANT-MY-TREE®minorSustainability partnership for the imPLANT-A-TREE initiative where partners become tree godparents to support reforestation in Germany and CO2 emissions offset through tree planting.
- Fraunhofer Institut für Bauphysik IBPcoreCommissioned screening study (ISO 14044) to assess sustainability of single-use products, validating CO2 footprint of 1stQ instruments versus traditional alternatives.
- Der Grüne Punkt - Duales System Deutschland GmbHminorPackaging recycling partnership. Company registered with Stiftung Zentrale Stelle Verpackungsregister (DE3739691146838). Der Grüne Punkt handles disposal of licensed packaging.
- MedactaminorCommissioned ISO 14044 carbon footprint analysis comparing 1stQ single-use instruments to re-sterilizable metal instruments, validating CO2 neutrality and water savings.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
1stQ competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Carl Zeiss Meditec: Diversified ophthalmic medical technology company offering IOLs (CT LUCIA, AT LARA, AT TORBI) alongside surgical microscopes, diagnostics, and laser systems. Competes in IOLs as part of a much broader surgical workflow portfolio.
- Santen Pharmaceutical: Japanese ophthalmology specialist with a growing IOL and surgical device portfolio acquired through its 2023 purchase of Lensar. Competes in premium IOLs while also operating broadly in glaucoma, dry eye, and retinal therapeutics.
Regional players
- HumanOptics: German-headquartered IOL manufacturer specializing in premium and specialty intraocular lenses. A direct European competitor of comparable size with similar focus on niche indications and German engineering heritage.
Direct peers
- Alcon: Global leader in ophthalmic medical devices including the PanOptix trifocal IOL and AcrySof single-piece IOLs. Directly competes with 1stQ across monofocal, toric, and premium multifocal/EDOF IOL categories, though at vastly larger scale.
- PhysIOL: Belgian IOL manufacturer now part of BVI Medical, specializing in finevision trifocal and EDOF IOLs. Highly comparable specialty IOL player with similar premium-niche positioning in Europe.
- HOYA Surgical Optics: Manufactures preloaded IOLs (iSert, Vivinex) with strong positions in the Japanese and European markets. Direct competitor in monofocal and toric IOL categories and increasingly active in premium optics.
- Johnson & Johnson Vision: Manufacturer of TECNIS monofocal, multifocal, EDOF (Symfony), and toric IOLs. Overlaps directly with 1stQ's premium IOL portfolio and competes for the same ophthalmic surgeon customers globally.
- Rayner: UK-based specialist IOL manufacturer with a comparable niche focus, offering monofocal, toric, multifocal, and EDOF IOLs (e.g., RayOne, Sulcoflex). Closely comparable in scale and specialization to 1stQ and a direct competitor in European markets.
- Bausch + Lomb: Produces enVista and LuxSmart IOLs plus a broad ophthalmic surgical portfolio. Direct competitor in standard and premium IOL categories serving the same ophthalmology clinic and hospital channels.
Emerging players
- VSY Biotechnology: Turkish ophthalmology company producing trifocal (Triva), EDOF, and toric IOLs. Comparable specialty IOL portfolio targeting international markets with a growing European commercial footprint.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
1stQ social profiles
Digital presence1stQ compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
1stQ financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
1stQ leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
1stQ funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
1stQ 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 1stQ
What does 1stQ do?
1stQ develops and manufactures intraocular lenses (IOLs) — including the Liberty² dual-lens system, AddOn® sulcus supplementary lenses, and Basis capsular bag lenses — along with single-use ophthalmic surgical instruments, OP-Sets, injectors, and surgical liquids. The company also provides the IOL Experience with RALV preoperative visualization workflow, IOL calculators, and the 1stQ Academy e-learning platform for ophthalmologists.
Is 1stQ a public or private company?
1stQ is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was 1stQ founded?
1stQ was founded in 1998. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is 1stQ based?
1stQ is headquartered in Mannheim, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does 1stQ make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Intraocular Lens Sales are the primary driver. The others are single-Use Instrument Sales and IOL Calculators and Services.
Who are 1stQ's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Carl Zeiss Meditec and Santen Pharmaceutical. HumanOptics is listed as a regional player. Direct peers are Alcon, PhysIOL, HOYA Surgical Optics, Johnson & Johnson Vision, Rayner and Bausch + Lomb. VSY Biotechnology is listed as an emerging player.
Does 1stQ have an API?
No public API is recorded for 1stQ.
What industry is 1stQ in?
1stQ's product category is Ophthalmic Medical Devices. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAHAJAH, Cataract Surgery Systems & IOLs (Phaco Systems, IOLs, Intraoperative Aberrometry, Viscoelastics). Its NAICS code is 339115 and its SIC code is 3851.