Acep France

What Acep France does

Acep France (also operating as Acep Group / Acep Tech) is a Paris-headquartered, Euronext-listed (epa:MLACP) company that designs, manufactures and sells digital optical measurement and fitting solutions to opticians and eye care professionals (ECPs). The company's portfolio centers on three products: Smart Mirror AI, an AI-powered computer-vision application that performs facial and pupillary measurements to fit eyewear; e-Column, a digital measuring column for precision lens personalization; and Trylive POP, a virtual try-on solution that brings prospective customers into the in-store journey digitally before they arrive. Together these products aim to digitize the in-store optical customer journey, addressing the pain point that opticians operate in a hypercompetitive market and need digital differentiation to win and retain customers.

Acep monetizes through a hybrid hardware-plus-software-plus-services model. The company has cumulatively sold approximately 20,000 hardware solutions worldwide and 45,000 iPadOS app licenses to ECPs, supplemented by structured training offerings (synchronous distance learning, asynchronous distance learning, tutorial videos). Pricing is not publicly disclosed. Go-to-market is sales-led and direct, with close customer support throughout the in-store journey, and is reinforced by technology integrations with major lens manufacturers (Hoya, Seiko, Zeiss, Nikon-BBGR, Novacel) and channel partnerships with optical retail chains (Specsavers, Krys, Optic 2000, Alain Afflelou, Lissac, Atol, Magrabi, among others).

The company is founder-led (CEO Jean-Philippe Sayag) and operates with approximately 50 collaborators across wholly-owned subsidiaries in France (Paris European HQ and an Orléans R&D and back-office facility spanning 2,000m²), the United States (Miami regional HQ), Spain, Japan and India. The firm was founded around 1994-1995, giving it roughly 30 years of optics-domain experience. In 2025 the Smart Mirror AI won the SILMO d'Or innovation award in the optical/lunetterie category. Revenue is not publicly disclosed.

Name

Acep France

Legal name

Acep France

Website

http://www.smart-mirror.com/

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Acep France designs and sells AI-powered optical measurement (Smart Mirror AI, e-Column) and virtual try-on (Trylive POP) hardware and software to opticians and eye care professionals globally, with subsidiaries in five countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Optical Measurement Equipment

NAICS

Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing (339115), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)

SIC

Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827), Ophthalmic Goods (3851)

akta.pro primary industry

Optical Dispensing & Eyewear Devices (Frames, Lenses, Lens Edging/Finishing Equipment) (HLAHAJAD)

Keywords

• Optical measurement software
• Digital optician solutions
• Virtual eyewear fitting
• Computer vision optometry
• Eye care professional tools

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Hardware Solutions: Sale of hardware solutions including Smart Mirror AI, e-Column devices. The company has sold 20K hardware solutions worldwide.
2. Software Licenses: Sale of iPadOS applications to Eye Care Professionals (ECPs). The company has sold 45K iPadOS apps to ECPs.
3. Training Services: Training offerings including Synchronous Distance Learning, Asynchronous Distance Learning, and Tutorial Videos for opticians

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Acep France designs, manufactures and sells AI-powered optical measurement and digital fitting solutions for opticians and eye care professionals (ECPs). The core product portfolio consists of three integrated solutions: Smart Mirror AI (AI/computer-vision optical measurement software), e-Column (digital optical measuring column for precise eyewear personalization), and Trylive POP (virtual eyewear try-on that drives online browsers into store). These are complemented by iPadOS applications for ECPs and a training program (synchronous distance learning, asynchronous distance learning, and tutorial videos).

Product overview

Acep France offers a portfolio of three digital solutions for opticians: Smart Mirror AI (AI-powered optical measurement software using computer vision), e-Column (digital measuring column for precision measurements), and Trylive POP (virtual eyewear fitting solution). Together, these products digitize the in-store optical customer journey from virtual try-on to precise measurements, enabling a modern customer-centric approach for opticians.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Smart Mirror AI: AI-powered optical measurement software for delivering unique customer experience and increasing revenues for opticians.
• e-Column
• Trylive POP

Products and services

• Smart Mirror AI AI-powered optical measurement software that uses computer vision to perform precise facial/optical measurements (pupillary distance, fitting heights, frame measurements) via a smart mirror interface. Targets opticians and eye care professionals (ECPs) seeking to deliver a unique digital customer experience and increase revenues; awarded the SILMO d'Or 2025 for innovation.
• e-Column Digital optical measuring column that provides precision and personalization for eyewear fitting, enabling opticians to deliver cutting-edge technology and enhance their brand image. Targets optical retailers and ECPs requiring high-precision optical measurement hardware.
• Trylive POP Virtual eyewear try-on solution that brings patients into stores, turning online browsers into buyers before they even step into the shop. Targets opticians and ECPs that want to convert digital traffic into in-store sales of frames.
• Acep Training Program (Synchronous Distance Learning, Asynchronous Distance Learning, Tutorial Videos) Professional training offering for opticians and ECPs covering Synchronous Distance Learning, Asynchronous Distance Learning, and Tutorial Videos. Designed to enable opticians to fully deploy and use Smart Mirror AI, e-Column and Trylive POP in-store.

Quantifiable outcome

• 20,000 hardware solutions sold worldwide
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• HoyacoreTechnology or IntegrationHoya is a global optical technology company and partner of Acep, providing lens technology integration with Acep's measurement solutions.
• SeikocoreTechnology or IntegrationSeiko digital optical partner, integrating Seiko lens technology with Acep's digital measurement systems.
• NovacelcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner for virtual pupillometer technology (e-Pupi) integrated with Acep solutions.
• SpecsaverscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor optical retail chain using Acep technology for lens extras and treatments.
• ZeisscoreTechnology or IntegrationPremium optical lens manufacturer partner integrating with Acep measurement solutions.
• KryscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFrench optical retail chain partner.
• Optic 2000coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFrench optical retail group partner.
• Alain AffleloucoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational optical retail franchise partner.
• MagrabiminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational optical retail partner.
• Nikon-BBGRcoreTechnology or IntegrationOptical lens manufacturer partner.
• Windy Wave DistributionminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for optical products.
• CioneminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEyewear brand partner.
• LissacminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFrench optical retail chain partner.
• AtolminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFrench optical retail cooperative partner.
• ManeominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOptical retail partner.
• Eyewear WarehouseminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOptical products distribution partner.
• Collectif LunetiersminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCollective of opticians partner.
• Jai Kudo-MillmeadminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOptical brand partner.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Carl Zeiss Meditec: Division of Zeiss offering ophthalmic diagnostic and measurement devices (e.g., i.Terminal, Visufit) used by opticians. Comparable as a provider of digital centration and dispensing systems to the same Eye Care Professional customer base.
• EssilorLuxottica: Global lens and eyewear giant with proprietary digital measurement platforms (Visufit, Ava) deployed across its retail and partner networks. Comparable as a vertically integrated competitor bundling measurement with lens manufacturing and retail.
• Nidek: Japanese manufacturer of ophthalmic and optometric equipment, including lensmeters, refractors, and dispensing systems. Comparable as a supplier of precision optical measurement hardware to opticians and optical retailers.
• Topcon Healthcare: Manufacturer of ophthalmic diagnostic instruments, refraction, and dispensing equipment used in optical retail and clinical settings. Comparable as a broader incumbent in optical measurement and imaging.
• Shamir Optical Industry: Premium lens manufacturer offering Spark Mi and other digital dispensing tools. Comparable as a lens manufacturer that competes with Acep in the digital measurement and dispensing ecosystem for opticians.

Direct peers

• Hoya Vision Care: Lens manufacturer that has partnership with Acep but also develops its own digital measurement and dispensing technologies. Comparable as a direct competitor in optical measurement software/hardware sold to ECPs.
• Luneau Technology (Essilor): French optical equipment brand now part of EssilorLuxottica, producing lensmeters, digital measurement devices, and dispensing tools. Comparable as a direct competitor in Acep's home French market with a similar core product focus.

Emerging players

• EyeQue: Consumer-focused vision measurement company using smartphone-based refraction technology. Comparable as an emerging player in AI/computer vision-based optical measurement, though targeting end consumers rather than ECPs.
• Smart Vision Labs: Tele-optometry company using smartphone-based autorefraction. Comparable as an emerging player applying AI/computer vision to optical measurement, with overlap in the broader digitalization theme of optician workflows.

Others

• Optos (Nikon): Retinal imaging and ophthalmic diagnostic company (now part of Nikon). Comparable as an adjacent optical/ophthalmic technology provider serving optometry practices, though focused on diagnostic imaging rather than dispensing measurement.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@acepgroup?si=S_EtlTVD4vJGpxqE
• Facebookfacebook.com/acepfrance
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/acepgroup
• Instagraminstagram.com/acepfrance
• TikToktiktok.com/@wix

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries4 records

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 Acep France