Optelec Nederland B.V.

What Optelec Nederland B.V. does

Optelec Nederland B.V. is a Barendrecht, South Holland-based distributor and light-manufacturer of assistive technology products for visually impaired and blind individuals, operating exclusively in the Netherlands. Founded in 1974/1975 and employing 19 staff, the company is the Dutch subsidiary of Vispero Group, the global low-vision/blindness assistive technology holding company. Its 50+ year operating history under the Optelec brand establishes it as a recognized specialty channel in the Dutch ophthalmology, low-vision rehabilitation, and patient-advocacy ecosystem.

The product portfolio spans optical and electronic low-vision aids (desktop and portable video magnifiers), in-house manufactured Braille displays (Focus line assembled in Barendrecht), OCR-based text-to-speech devices (ClearReader series), Daisy audio book players, and adaptive software channeled from Vispero (JAWS, Fusion, ZoomText, Supernova). Optelec also resells third-party AI-enabled reading devices including OrCam MyEye, OrCam Read, Hark AI, and VoxiVision 2. Quality and regulatory credibility is anchored by ISO 9001 and ISO 13485 certifications, which are prerequisites for medical-device distribution and reimbursement eligibility in the Dutch market.

Commercially, Optelec runs a hybrid B2B/B2C model: hardware sales to individual consumers are reimbursed through Dutch health insurers, while additional revenue is generated from professional services including device training, workplace assessments, WCAG 2.2 digital accessibility consulting, and dedicated Work & Study offerings to employers and educational institutions. Go-to-market combines direct sales, partnerships with patient advocacy organizations (Low Vision Totaal, Worldwide Vision, Macula Vereniging), and field-based installation and training. The business is entirely Netherlands-scoped, with no disclosed international expansion outside its Vispero-parent channel relationship.

Name

Optelec Nederland B.V.

Legal name

Optelec Nederland B.V.

Website

https://optelec.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Optelec Nederland B.V. is the Barendrecht-based Dutch subsidiary of Vispero Group, distributing and manufacturing assistive technology (Braille displays, video magnifiers, OCR readers, adaptive software, and AI reading devices) for visually impaired individuals, healthcare professionals, employers, and educational institutions in the Netherlands.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Assistive Technology for Visual Impairment

NAICS

Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing (339115)

SIC

Ophthalmic Goods (3851)

akta.pro primary industry

Low Vision & Assistive Vision Devices (Magnifiers, Electronic Video Magnifiers, Wearable Vision Aids) (HLAHAJAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Assistive Vision & Screen Access (Screen Readers, Magnification, Braille Displays/Notetakers) (EDAFAKAD), Vision Assistive Technology (Screen Readers, Braille, Magnification) (EDAKAIAF), Computer Access & Alternative Input (Switch, Eye Gaze, Head/Mouse, Keyboards) (EDAKAIAD), Assistive & Accessibility Input Devices (Switches, Adaptive Controllers, Braille Keyboards) (HDACAFAL), Assistive Technology (AT) & Accessible Learning Tools (EDALAGAB)

Keywords

• Assistive technology devices
• Low vision magnifiers
• Braille display hardware
• Screen reading software
• Text-to-speech readers

Headquarters

HQ city

Barendrecht

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Assistive hardware device sales: Optelec sells a comprehensive range of assistive devices for the visually impaired and blind, including desktop video magnifiers, portable magnifiers, Braille displays, Daisy players, reading aloud devices, and adaptive software. Devices are sold to individuals, reimbursed by health insurers, or procured by institutions. Revenue is one-time per device, with some devices also provided under a loan (bruikleen) model through health insurance.
2. Training and professional services: Optelec provides certified training services for software products (JAWS, Fusion, ZoomText, Supernova) at the customer's home for personal use, and tailored workplace/study training for professional environments. Training is offered to both individual consumers and organizations.
3. Digital accessibility consulting: Optelec advises organizations on digital accessibility (WCAG 2.2 compliance), conducts accessibility checks on websites and apps, and tests digital platforms using sighted and visually impaired/blind specialists.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Optelec Nederland B.V. designs, distributes, supports and services a comprehensive portfolio of assistive devices for people with visual impairments and blindness, including desktop and portable video magnifiers, OCR text-to-speech readers (ClearReader+, OrCam devices), Braille displays manufactured in-house (Focus 5-14, 5-40, 5-80, 640), Daisy/audiobook players (Victor Reader line), adaptive screen-access software (JAWS, ZoomText, Fusion, Supernova) and accessories such as white canes and Daylight lamps. The company offers certified training on adaptive software, installation and configuration services across the Netherlands, and digital accessibility consulting under its Work & Study department for employers and educational institutions.

Product overview

Optelec Nederland B.V. is a provider of assistive technology for visually impaired and blind individuals, offering a comprehensive portfolio of hardware and software solutions. The product lineup includes desktop video magnifiers (ClearView C, ClearView+, ClearView GO, ClearView C Speech, ClearView C Flex, Onyx HD, Onyx OCR) for fixed-location reading, portable video magnifiers (Compact 10 HD, Compact 7 HD, Traveller HD, Ruby XL HD, Ruby 7 HD, Transformer HD) for on-the-go use, and optical magnifiers (PowerMag, PowerSlider, PowerDome). For text-to-speech needs, the company offers reading devices (ClearReader+, OrCam Read, OrCam MyEye 2, Hark AI, VoxiVision 2) that read text aloud using OCR technology. Audiobook and Daisy players (Victor Reader Stream, Stratus 4, Stratus 12M, Daisybox, Webbox 3) support access to spoken books from Passend Lezen service. Braille solutions include displays (Focus 5-14, Focus 5-40, Focus 5-80, Focus 640) and Braille printers (Index Everest D V5, Index Basic-D V5). Screen accessibility software includes JAWS, ZoomText, Fusion, and Supernova. Additional products include accessible phones (Blindshell Classic 2), GPS navigation (Victor Reader Trek), TV subtitling solutions (GO-box Plus), voice recorders (Milestone series), lighting products (Daylight lamps), and mobility aids (white canes).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Optelec ClearView C Desktop video magnifier with high-contrast display for fixed-location reading of newspapers, magazines and documents, with adjustable color and magnification modes; designed for low-vision individuals.
• Optelec ClearView+ Desktop video magnifier with an integrated reading table for comfortable reading of documents at a fixed location; intended for low-vision individuals.
• Optelec ClearView GO Portable video magnifier for reading newspapers and other flat texts, with a large screen and roller mechanism; aimed at low-vision readers needing mobility.
• Optelec ClearView C Speech Desktop video magnifier with OCR-based text-to-speech that reads newspapers, magazines and documents aloud, supporting low-vision users when self-reading becomes tiring.
• Optelec ClearView C Flex Flexible desktop video magnifier with reading table, designed for comfortable reading of documents at a fixed location.
• Optelec Compact 10 HD Portable HD mobile video magnifier with a large screen for reading on the go or at home; intended for low-vision individuals.
• Optelec Compact 10 HD Speech Portable HD mobile video magnifier with integrated OCR text-to-speech, enabling reading on the go.
• Optelec Compact 7 HD Compact mobile video magnifier with HD display for reading on the go; designed for portable low-vision reading.
• Optelec Traveller HD Portable HD video magnifier for reading newspapers and flat texts, featuring a large screen with roller/glide mechanism for ease of reading.
• Optelec Onyx HD Deskset Desktop video magnifier with an adjustable camera for hands-free reading, crafting and detailed activities; aimed at low-vision users.
• Onyx OCR with speech Desktop video magnifier with OCR text recognition and speech output that reads documents aloud; aimed at low-vision individuals.
• Ruby XL HD Portable electronic handheld magnifier with color mode and contrast settings for optimal reading comfort on the go.
• Ruby 7 HD Portable electronic handheld magnifier with HD display and color modes for reading on the go.
• Transformer HD Portable HD magnification device for reading and viewing on the go; positioned for school-age and active users.
• Transformer HD OCR Portable HD magnification device with OCR text recognition for reading text aloud; suited for workplace and on-the-go use.
• ClearReader+ OCR-based text-to-speech reading device that scans and reads letters, books and magazines aloud in natural-sounding computer voices; for low-vision and blind users.
• Victor Reader Stream 3 Portable audiobook and Daisy player designed to play accessible spoken content from the Passend Lezen service; for blind and visually impaired users.
• Victor Reader Stratus 4 Desktop tabletop audiobook and Daisy player for spoken books, designed for blind and visually impaired users in home settings.
• Victor Reader Stratus 12M Desktop tabletop audiobook and Daisy player with advanced navigation features; aimed at students and heavy users of accessible audiobooks.
• GO-box Plus Device that reads aloud and enlarges TV subtitles for visually impaired viewers, improving television accessibility; requires a separate digital receiver.
• Focus 5-14 Braille leesregel Portable refreshable Braille display with 14 cells, manufactured in-house by Optelec in Barendrecht; for blind users working with screen-reader software.
• Focus 5-40 Braille leesregel Refreshable Braille display with 40 cells, manufactured in-house by Optelec in Barendrecht; for blind users needing more readable Braille surface area.
• Focus 5-80 Braille leesregel Refreshable Braille display with 80 cells, manufactured and serviced in-house by Optelec in Barendrecht; positioned for high-volume Braille reading of computer content.
• JAWS Speech and Braille software Screen-reader software developed within the Vispero group and distributed in the Netherlands by Optelec, providing speech and Braille output for blind and visually impaired computer users.
• ZoomText Magnification and Speech software Screen magnification and speech software from the Vispero group, distributed in the Netherlands by Optelec; for visually impaired computer users.
• Fusion Speech, Magnification and Braille software Combined screen-reading, magnification and Braille software from the Vispero group, distributed by Optelec, providing full-feature computer accessibility for blind and visually impaired users.
• Certified adaptive software training services (JAWS, Fusion, ZoomText, Supernova) Certified training services from Optelec covering JAWS, Fusion, ZoomText and Supernova, delivered for individual home users and adapted for workplace and study environments; supplied to both consumers and organizations.
• Digital accessibility (WCAG 2.2) consulting and testing services Optelec Work & Study consulting service advising organizations on WCAG 2.2 compliance, conducting accessibility checks on websites and apps, and testing digital platforms using sighted and visually impaired/blind specialists.

Quantifiable outcome

• Focus Braille displays are manufactured, quality-tested, and repaired in-house at the Barendrecht facility
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Vispero GroupcoreOthersOptelec belongs to the Vispero Group, a global provider of assistive technology solutions for the visually impaired. Within the Vispero group, the Fusion, JAWS, and ZoomText software products are developed and marketed. Optelec leverages this affiliation for product development, technical support, and training materials.
• Passend Lezen (Aangepast Lezen)coreTechnology or IntegrationPassend Lezen provides audiobooks, newspapers, magazines, and radio plays in accessible formats. Optelec's Daisy players (Victor Reader Stratus, Victor Reader Stream, Webbox) are designed to play content from Passend Lezen. Customers with a reader number from their library can download content directly to their Optelec Daisy player.
• Low Vision TotaalminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLow Vision Totaal co-organizes customer days and exhibitions for people with visual impairments in the Netherlands alongside Optelec, Worldwide Vision, and the Macula Vereniging.
• Worldwide VisionminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWorldwide Vision co-organizes customer days and exhibitions for people with visual impairments in the Netherlands alongside Optelec, Low Vision Totaal, and the Macula Vereniging.
• Macula Vereniging (Macular Degeneration Association)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Macula Vereniging co-organizes customer days and exhibitions for people with visual impairments in the Netherlands alongside Optelec, Low Vision Totaal, and Worldwide Vision.
• Hercules Goalball TeamminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOptelec is a proud sponsor of the Goalball team of Hercules, an adaptive sport team for people with visual impairments. This sponsorship supports community engagement and brand visibility within the visually impaired community.
• Koninklijke VisiominorGTM or Marketing PartnerKoninklijke Visio is a Dutch rehabilitation organization for blind and visually impaired people that provides medical declarations used in Optelec's health insurer reimbursement applications. Koninklijke Visio also refers clients to Optelec for assistive devices.
• BartiméusminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBartiméus is a Dutch rehabilitation organization for blind and visually impaired people that provides medical declarations used in Optelec's health insurer reimbursement applications and refers clients to Optelec.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Market position

Strengths4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/optelec-nederland-b.v.

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Optelec Nederland B.V.