Laclare: Revolutionizing Presbyopia Care with €3.5 Million Seed Investment

Deal News | Jan 29, 2025 | High-Tech Gruenderfonds Manage

Laclare: Revolutionizing Presbyopia Care with €3.5 Million Seed Investment

In a significant development in the vision care sector, Laclare, a startup specializing in adaptive eyeglasses for presbyopia correction, has successfully raised €3.5 million in a seed funding round. The investment was led by Rimonci, a venture fund focused on vision care, alongside UI-Investissement and High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF). This round complements a €2.5 million grant from the EIC accelerator. Laclare's innovative product aims to revolutionize presbyopia correction by using autofocusing technology that mimics the eye’s natural focus ability. The capital influx will propel the company toward the development of its first commercial product by mid-2026. With eyeglasses that offer real-time distance adaptation and address common vision issues such as hyperopia and myopia, Laclare is poised to set new standards in eyewear solutions. The startup's eyeglasses have already demonstrated preference among users due to their advanced technology and seamless user experience. Laclare's CEO, Bruno Berge, emphasizes the company's commitment to meeting the needs of individuals affected by presbyopia, a condition that impacts 2 billion people worldwide. The investment aligns with the mission of Rimonci to support transformative technologies in vision care. With backing from prominent investors and support from European innovation frameworks, Laclare is positioned as a frontrunner in the development of cutting-edge vision solutions.

Sectors

  • Vision Care
  • Venture Capital
  • Healthcare Technology

Geography

  • France – Laclare is headquartered in Villeurbanne, France, and has partnerships with regional institutions like INL and support from French entities such as Bpifrance.
  • Germany – High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), a major investor in Laclare, is based in Germany and actively supports European tech ventures.
  • Europe – The involvement of the EIC accelerator indicates EU-level support for Laclare, underlining a broader European investment in innovative technologies.

Industry

  • Vision Care – Laclare operates in the Vision Care sector, developing innovative solutions for presbyopia correction, a prevalent condition affecting eyesight.
  • Venture Capital – The article involves multiple venture capital firms, including Rimonci, UI-Investissement, and HTGF, highlighting active investment in cutting-edge eyewear technology.
  • Healthcare Technology – Laclare's use of advanced autofocusing technology in its eyewear products places it within the Healthcare Technology sector, addressing significant medical needs.

Financials

  • €3.5 million – The total seed funding amount raised by Laclare from multiple investors.
  • €2.5 million – Additional financing provided by the EIC accelerator to support Laclare's development efforts.

Participants

NameRoleTypeDescription
LaclareTarget CompanyCompanyLaclare is a French company developing autofocusing eyeglasses to correct presbyopia, using patented opto-fluidic technology.
RimonciInvestorCompanyA venture capital firm focusing on vision care, participating in Laclare's seed funding round to support innovative eyewear solutions.
UI-InvestissementInvestorCompanyAn independent investment management company that supports Laclare's innovative tech-driven mission in vision care.
High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF)InvestorCompanyA leading German early-stage investment fund, finance start-ups in Europe, and has participated in Laclare's seed round.
EIC AcceleratorFunding BodyGovernmentA European Union program supporting Laclare with a €2.5 million grant to foster innovation in vision technology.
Bruno BergeCEO & Founder of LaclarePersonThe physicist and entrepreneur leading Laclare in developing innovative solutions for presbyopia.
Richel LiuFounder & Manager of Rimonci CapitalPersonLeads Rimonci Capital, steering the firm's investments towards transformative vision care technologies.