This blog post dives into the remarkable achievement of LirOptic, a University College Dublin (UCD) spin-out, at the 2025 Luminate NY Accelerator final in New York.
As the only Irish participant among ten global start-ups, LirOptic showed off their optical innovations and grabbed the Audience Choice Award and a $10,000 (€8.6k) prize.
Their breakthrough lens technology could reshape the future of imaging—from smartphones to space exploration. It’s a big moment for Ireland’s optics and photonics research scene.
LirOptic’s Victory on the Global Stage
Getting selected for the Luminate NY Accelerator programme isn’t easy. This accelerator, the world’s biggest for optics, photonics, and imaging tech, draws top innovators from everywhere.
Each company, including LirOptic, got an initial $100,000 investment to help develop and scale up their technology. The programme ended with a high-pressure final showcase where industry leaders, investors, and technologists judged innovations for market impact and scalability.
LirOptic’s Audience Choice Award recognized their research and their knack for connecting with stakeholders. It’s a big credibility boost for them as a disruptive force in optical imaging.
From UCD Research Lab to New York Innovation Hub
LirOptic’s story didn’t start in a boardroom—it began in the UCD School of Physics. The company’s core technology grew out of the research of Professor Dominic Zerulla and his team, who laid the groundwork for a new era in optical lens engineering.
Co-founded by Zerulla, CEO Simon Forsyth, and optical entrepreneur Joe O’Keeffe, LirOptic is a great example of what happens when academia and entrepreneurship collide.
Luminate NY gave LirOptic more than just money. They gained global connections, access to experienced mentors, and direct exposure to investors.
Forsyth said the programme helped them refine their growth strategy and expand their commercial outlook. That kind of support can really make a difference.
A Lens Technology That Could Change Everything
LirOptic’s main innovation is its mechanics-free optical lens system. This design skips the usual moving parts in compact camera modules (CCMs), which are everywhere in smartphones and other imaging devices.
The benefits are pretty compelling:
- Higher-quality imaging thanks to advanced light refraction.
- Better zoom without the hassles of mechanical lenses.
- Improved low-light performance, so images look sharper in dim settings.
- Smaller CCMs, which means slimmer, more efficient devices.
Applications Across Multiple Industries
Smartphone imaging is the obvious place to start, but LirOptic’s tech could go way further. In augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) devices, smaller, smarter lenses can create immersive visuals without the bulk of old-school cameras.
In MedTech, miniaturised high-quality lenses might transform diagnostic tools and surgical imaging. And in space technology, robust, compact optical systems could handle extreme conditions while still delivering top-notch imaging.
That kind of flexibility makes LirOptic an exciting player not just in consumer tech, but also in scientific and industrial fields where precision optics matter a lot.
Global Recognition and Industry Impact
Dr. Sujatha Ramanujan, Managing Director of Luminate NY, praised the 2025 cohort for their innovations. She pointed out that these technologies—from healthcare to semiconductors—could transform entire industries.
She also highlighted New York’s growing status as a hub for scaling research-driven technologies. LirOptic’s win isn’t just about an award; it hints at a shift in how we might build optical hardware in the near future.
As imaging needs keep growing in areas like telecommunications, biomedical research, defence, and entertainment, technologies like LirOptic’s non-mechanical lenses could well become the new standard.
Final Thoughts: Ireland’s Place in Optics Innovation
LirOptic, an Irish spin-out, really captures the essence of research-driven entrepreneurship. Competing globally isn’t easy, but they seem to thrive on it.
The company builds on UCD’s academic foundation and the founders’ vision. Getting validation from a well-known accelerator hasn’t hurt either.
For the wider scientific community, LirOptic’s journey highlights how academic breakthroughs can actually lead to real-world impact. Sometimes, it’s wild to think that optical research can end up shaping things we use every day, from your phone’s camera to telescopes peering at deep space.
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Here is the source article for this story: UCD spin-out LirOptic comes top for audience choice at Luminate NY Accelerator