Optis World
Optis World is a French virtual prototyping and optical simulation company (founded 1989, La Farlède) whose technology is now part of the Ansys Optics portfolio under Synopsys, providing end-to-end multiphysics optical and photonic simulation software to engineers in automotive, aerospace, defense, healthcare, and high-tech industries.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1970
- HeadquartersLa Farlède, France
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Optis World does
Optis World is a French virtual prototyping company founded in 1989, headquartered in La Farlède, France, with 101-250 employees. Its core capability — bringing "life and emotion" to industrial projects through optical and light simulation — is now part of the broader Ansys Optics portfolio, which provides an end-to-end multiphysics and multiscale simulation platform spanning nano to macro scale. The product suite includes Ansys Speos (optical simulation with Human Vision modeling and GPU acceleration), Ansys Zemax OpticStudio (optical design, optimization, and tolerance analysis), the Ansys Lumerical family (FDTD, MODE, Multiphysics, INTERCONNECT, CML Compiler for nanophotonic and PIC design), and post-Synopsys-acquisition additions Synopsys OptoCompiler and OptSim for electronic-photonic co-design and optical communication system simulation.
The platform serves engineers and product teams across automotive (lighting, lidar/radar/camera, autonomous driving), aerospace, defense, healthcare (cardiovascular medical devices), high tech/semiconductors (photonic integrated circuits), energy, industrial equipment, and space industries. Customers include Nordson TEST & INSPECTION, Hewlett Packard Labs, University of Arizona, and Blue Sky Solar Racing, with a free student program seeding the long-term funnel. The company makes money primarily through enterprise subscription software licensing of its simulation products, supplemented by professional services (consulting, training via the Ansys Learning Hub and Training Center, and reliability engineering services). Distribution combines enterprise field sales, self-serve free trials, a global channel partner ecosystem, and academic partnerships, with quote-based annual pricing and no public list price.
Optis World / Ansys Optics is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Synopsys, Inc. following Synopsys's approximately $35 billion acquisition of Ansys completed in January 2025. The combined entity is positioned to bridge electronic design automation with multiphysics simulation, with the 2026 R1 release (January 2026) extending cross-tool collaboration between Synopsys OptoCompiler and Lumerical and adding streamlined Stray Light Analysis, NEST tolerancing, and Optical Design Exchange between OpticStudio and Speos for NX. Innovation leadership is currently represented by Nicolas Dalmasso as Innovation Director, and the company maintains a global regional presence through direct sales and material measurement partners in EMEA, Japan, China, and Korea.
Optis World firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Optis World
- Legal name
- ANSYS, Inc.
- Website
- https://optis-world.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1970
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Optis World is a French virtual prototyping and optical simulation company (founded 1989, La Farlède) whose technology is now part of the Ansys Optics portfolio under Synopsys, providing end-to-end multiphysics optical and photonic simulation software to engineers in automotive, aerospace, defense, healthcare, and high-tech industries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Optis World industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Optical Simulation Software
- NAICS
- Software Publishers (51321), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)
- SIC
- Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Optoelectronic Components (LEDs, photodiodes, optocouplers, optical sensors) (IMAGAJAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Custom & Application-Specific ASIC Design Services (HDAHABAJ), Compute & Acceleration ICs (CPU/GPU/AI/FPGA/ASIC) (HDAHABAC)
Keywords
Where Optis World is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- La Farlède
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Markets served
Optis World business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Operations
Revenue model
- Software Licensing: Ansys Optics products are offered through software licensing, likely with subscription (annual) and perpetual license options based on enterprise software industry norms. Products include Ansys Speos, Zemax OpticStudio, Lumerical suite, and Synopsys photonic tools.
- Professional Services: Consulting services, training (Ansys Learning Hub, Training Center), and reliability engineering services offered alongside software products.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Enterprise licensing - Quote-based pricing |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels9 records
Optis World product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Optis World develops and supplies physics-based optical simulation and virtual prototyping software for industrial product design, originally through the SPEOS platform, now part of the Ansys Optics portfolio. The software simulates lighting systems, optical sensors, human vision perception, nanophotonic devices, and photonic integrated circuits for industries including automotive, aerospace, defense, healthcare, and high tech. Distribution is enterprise software licensing with free-trial evaluation, supported by global direct sales, partner ecosystem, and academic programs.
Product overview
Ansys Optics is a comprehensive end-to-end multiphysics and multiscale simulation platform offering a suite of optical and photonic design tools. The portfolio includes Ansys Speos for macro-scale optical system simulation with human vision modeling, Ansys Zemax OpticStudio for complex optical design and tolerancing, and the Ansys Lumerical product family (FDTD, MODE, Multiphysics, INTERCONNECT, CML Compiler) for nano-scale photonic device and circuit simulation. Additionally, Synopsys OptoCompiler provides unified electronic-photonic co-design, while Synopsys OptSim enables optical communication system simulation. These products provide streamlined, automated multisolver workflows for multiscale optical system design from nano to macro scale, with open ecosystem and Python-based automation capabilities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Ansys Speos: Optical simulation software enabling fast, accurate simulation with Human Vision, 3D environments, GPU acceleration, and multiphysics integration for lighting systems design and validation.
- Ansys Zemax OpticStudio
- Ansys Lumerical FDTD
- Ansys Lumerical MODE
- Ansys Lumerical Multiphysics
- Ansys Lumerical INTERCONNECT
- Ansys Lumerical CML Compiler
Products and services
- Ansys Speos Optical simulation software enabling fast, accurate simulation with Human Vision modeling, 3D environments, GPU acceleration, and multiphysics integration for design and validation of lighting systems. Targeted at industrial product design teams needing virtual prototyping of optical systems.
- Ansys Zemax OpticStudio Optical design software that provides simulation, optimization, and tolerance tools including STAR-enabled STOP analysis, robust ray tracing, and advanced optimization algorithms for complex optical system design. Used by optical engineers designing cameras, projectors, HUDs, and other imaging systems.
- Ansys Lumerical FDTD Industry gold-standard 3D electromagnetic solver for modeling nanophotonic devices, processes, and materials using FDTD-3D Electromagnetic Solver, RCWA for periodic structures, and STACK for thin film multilayer analysis. Used by photonic and semiconductor R&D engineers.
- Ansys Lumerical MODE Comprehensive design environment for optically guided structures including waveguides, fibers, and couplers using FDE, varFDTD, and EME solvers. Targeted at photonic integrated circuit and waveguide designers.
- Ansys Lumerical Multiphysics Leverages interoperable solvers (CHARGE, HEAT, FEEM, MQW, DGTD) for multiphysics design of image sensors, mLEDs, photodetectors, modulators, and plasmonics. Used by advanced semiconductor and sensor R&D teams.
- Ansys Lumerical INTERCONNECT Dedicated photonic integrated circuit simulator supporting classical and quantum PIC simulation, advanced laser design including TWLM, EPDA (Electronic-Photonic Design Automation), and foundry-compatible customized photonic design. Targeted at photonic IC design teams.
- Ansys Lumerical CML Compiler Automates generation, maintenance, and distribution of photonic compact model libraries with IP protection, multi-EPDA platform support, and statistically enabled compact models. Targeted at photonic IC foundries and design kit developers.
- Synopsys OptoCompiler Industry's first unified electronic and photonic design platform for fast, accurate, and flexible PIC development with schematic-driven layout, hierarchical design, and integrated native photonic simulators. Targeted at photonic IC design teams.
- Synopsys OptSim Industry-leading solution for designing and simulating next-generation optical communication systems at signal propagation level with virtual prototyping, rich model library, and mixed-domain co-simulation. Targeted at optical communication system engineers.
Quantifiable outcome
- Nordson TEST & INSPECTION saved a week of simulation time and will save another week for each new sensor
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Optis World
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments9 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Optis World technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
AI capability1 record
Feature9 records
Optis World partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- opsira gmbhminorEMEA region preferred contact for optical material measurements and characterization services supporting Ansys material database expansion.
- Sakura Innovation Co., Ltd.minorJapan-based partner for optical measurements and material characterization services supporting Ansys Optics material catalog in APAC region.
- Cybernet SystemsminorChina-based partner for optical material measurements and characterization services supporting Ansys material database expansion in China.
- Radiant SolutionsminorKorea-based partner for optical measurements and characterization services supporting Ansys Optics material catalog in Korea.
- SynopsyscoreAnsys acquired by Synopsys (January 2025) for approximately $35 billion, creating unified platform connecting silicon to systems. Ansys Optics now part of Synopsys portfolio with combined photonic and electronic design capabilities including OptoCompiler and OptSim products.
- Ansys Partner EcosystemcoreGlobal partner ecosystem including Technology Partners, Channel Partners, Services Partners, Strategic Partners, and Academic Partners providing reselling, implementation, and co-development services.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Optis World competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Dassault Systèmes:
- Synopsys: Parent company and EDA leader whose OptoCompiler and OptSim products directly overlap with Ansys Optics' photonic IC and optical-communication simulation tools. Relevant as both parent and direct competitive overlap in photonic design.
- Siemens EDA (Mentor Graphics): EDA incumbent with growing simulation and multiphysics capabilities tied into Siemens' Xcelerator portfolio. Competes for the same enterprise electronic-system-design dollar as Ansys Optics.
- Cadence Design Systems: Major EDA vendor whose Virtuoso and Spectre platforms are extending into photonic and electro-optical co-simulation. A direct competitive threat to Ansys Optics' photonic IC and electronic-photonic co-design workflows.
Direct peers
- MathWorks: MATLAB and Simulink are widely used for optical system design, lens modeling, and algorithm development. Direct peer for engineering computing and simulation in optics and photonics.
- COMSOL: Multiphysics simulation platform widely used for optical, electromagnetic, and thermal modeling. Competes head-on with Ansys Optics in academic and industrial multiphysics workflows.
- Lambda Research (TracePro): Developer of TracePro, a non-sequential optical and illumination simulation tool used for stray-light analysis, imaging systems, and lighting design. Closest direct competitor to Ansys Speos in macro-scale optical simulation.
Peers
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Optis World social profiles
Digital presenceOptis World financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Optis World leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Optis World subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries7 records
Optis World funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Optis World 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 Optis World
What does Optis World do?
Optis World develops and supplies physics-based optical simulation and virtual prototyping software for industrial product design, originally through the SPEOS platform, now part of the Ansys Optics portfolio. The software simulates lighting systems, optical sensors, human vision perception, nanophotonic devices, and photonic integrated circuits for industries including automotive, aerospace, defense, healthcare, and high tech. Distribution is enterprise software licensing with free-trial evaluation, supported by global direct sales, partner ecosystem, and academic programs.
Is Optis World a public or private company?
Optis World is a public company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Optis World founded?
Optis World was founded in 1970. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Optis World based?
Optis World is headquartered in La Farlède, France, in the Europe region.
How does Optis World make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Software Licensing is the primary driver. The others are professional Services.
Who are Optis World's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Dassault Systèmes, Synopsys, Siemens EDA (Mentor Graphics) and Cadence Design Systems. Direct peers are MathWorks, COMSOL and Lambda Research (TracePro). Optiwave Systems is listed as a peer.
Does Optis World have an API?
No public API is recorded for Optis World.
What industry is Optis World in?
Optis World's product category is Optical Simulation Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAGAJAF, Optoelectronic Components (LEDs, photodiodes, optocouplers, optical sensors), with a secondary code of HDAHABAJ, Custom & Application-Specific ASIC Design Services. Its NAICS code is 51321 and its SIC code is 7372.