Circle Optics, Inc.

Circle Optics, Inc. has cultivated a culture rooted in innovation, technical expertise, and collaboration, which drives the company forward in advancing its cutting-edge camera systems. With an impressive $9.4 million in Department of Defense (DoD) funding, the company is focused on accelerating mission readiness in critical areas like drone swarming and immersive learning technologies. These innovations are poised to enhance DoD operations by delivering unparalleled visual capabilities, making Circle Optics a key player in shaping the future of military technology. By leveraging its deep technical know-how and fostering a synergistic work environment, Circle Optics continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in high-performance optical systems. That is why we are so appreciative of Anna Vulaj Fitzsimmons Noel DeBruyn and Amber Stevens who coordinated the recent program:  Convergence: Forging an Agile Industrial Base—the 4th Annual Defense & Government Contracting Forum and Matchmaker in Rochester, NY. One of the many benefits of being part of the Monroe County Finger Lakes APEX Accelerator is the invaluable chance to engage more closely with key stakeholders and gain additional time with industry leaders. Founder and CEO Zak (Zakariya) Niazi comments, “It was a privilege to meet with key decision-makers from the Department of Defense who are dedicated to ensuring the department achieves its goals in fostering innovation and collaboration with small businesses.“ Read more: https://lnkd.in/eqMqJt9p #DoD #SBIR #Innovation #EmergingTechnology #CircleOptics

As a proud member of GENIUS NY’s fifth cohort, Circle Optics, Inc. has witnessed the transformative impact of Central New York’s commitment to innovation and economic growth. Since its inception in 2017, the GENIUS NY program has been a catalyst for high-potential startups, particularly in the Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) industry. From community-wide support to strategic partnerships, GENIUS NY has continuously set the stage for entrepreneurial success. Robert Simpson, President of CenterState CEO, emphasized the powerful role GENIUS NY plays in supporting business growth and sustainability across the region. “We are building a signal to our entrepreneurial community… We’re not just doing it through programs like Genius New York, but we’re putting steel in the ground and building a physical asset that actually looks like a center of innovation as opposed to a collapsed municipal parking garage.” This vision is not only about infrastructure but about creating an ecosystem where businesses can flourish and make a lasting impact. Kara Jones, GENIUS NY Director, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the accelerator’s substantial influence. “We have talented entrepreneurs and innovative companies in the UAS industry that have chosen Syracuse to grow their businesses… It’s a powerful reminder of how GENIUS New York helps launch companies toward major milestones.” Circle Optics COO Ian Gauger shared his enthusiasm for this year’s cohort and the program’s ever-growing reputation. “Every year, GENIUS raises the bar. They searched the world for this outstanding cohort of teams. I look forward to getting to know them and working with them during Phase II of the program.”  This year’s GENIUS NY finals showcased groundbreaking innovations in autonomous systems: Aviant (Oslo, Norway) took home the $1 million grand prize for its advanced drone technology, which enables autonomous last-mile delivery solutions, enhancing efficiency and accessibility for both urban and rural communities. Crover (Edinburgh, Scotland): Uncrewed vehicles designed to “swim” through grains and powders, offering a unique approach to bulk material management. Aerialoop (Miami, FL): Middle-mile delivery solutions that reduce time and costs for organizations, ultimately benefiting end consumers. Flyhound (New York, NY): Advanced drones and technology to locate individuals during natural disasters, a critical tool for emergency response teams. INVOLI (Lausanne, Switzerland): Cutting-edge drone tracking and monitoring solutions that address safety gaps in aviation, essential as drone usage expands. Wonderful seeing sayhii ✨Amy Gurske / André Ivanchuk Such Chaos / James Senall NextCorps / Olivia Goldstein Upstate Venture Connect / Bailey Burke Upstate Capital Association of New York - and so many other community builders. Read more https://lnkd.in/evCvqS7Y

GENIUS NY is the world’s largest business accelerator competition for uncrewed systems. Each year, we invest $3 million into five teams, and those teams have come from all over the world doing awesome, cool tech in drone technology. Here is an encore #360Pulse #Podcast withe #GENIUSNY Director Kara Jones "It's so exciting that we have the globe literally in Syracuse, New York. We’ve had 13 international teams out of the 31 teams so far, coming from places like Israel, the U.K., Australia, Italy, Netherlands, Germany, and even two teams from Poland. It’s really become a pretty good international brand now, and a lot of international teams want to get into the U.S. market through this program." Listen to how she builds and galvanizes community https://lnkd.in/g8ncRP68

Looking forward to seeing everyone to night. + 1 GENIUS NY Kara Jones Rebecca B. CenterState CEO

GENIUS NY judges announced: Pete Mathias Somak Chattopadhyay Jennifer Tegan Kevin May Charles Green Mariah Murray Circle Optics, Inc. COO Ian Gauger and Director of Marketing Jennifer Sertl [ GENIUS NY Cohort #5 ] are looking forward to see the incredible ecosystem. Don’t miss your chance to connect with industry leaders and see which startup takes home the big prize, Oct. 28. Register here: https://hubs.la/Q02VtMGr0 CenterState CEO

Encore: Circle Optics, Inc. recently welcomed Don Berchoff, CEO of TruWeather Solutions, as a guest on #360Pulse Podcast. With over 40 years of experience in the weather and aviation industries, Don brought a wealth of knowledge to the conversation. His impressive career includes 24 years in the U.S. Air Force, where he played a key role in refining weather operations, leveraging emerging technologies, and applying weather risk management principles to improve mission readiness and efficiency. In addition to his military service, Don directed science and technology projects at the National Weather Service, where he led multidisciplinary teams of scientists, data experts, and engineers. Now at TruWeather Solutions , he has pioneered the development of a cutting-edge Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform designed to enhance weather analytics for the growing drone and air taxi industries. Berchoff is also shaping new international aviation weather standards and advocates for a collaborative approach to solving micro-weather challenges. His leadership is defined by his commitment to integrity and his passion for turning strategic visions into actionable outcomes. Listen to our program here https://lnkd.in/euZyKYPe

The TechRochester‘s 2024 GREAT Awards ceremony showcased the talent and innovation driving Rochester’s tech community forward. With industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers gathered, it was a night to celebrate the incredible achievements that define the region’s commitment to progress. Susan Ippoliti Kavanagh TechRochester President shared some opening remarks, “On behalf of the TechRochester Board of Directors, it is my honor to welcome you to the 2024 GREAT Awards. These awards are a testament to the hard work, creativity, and collaboration that fuel our region and make Rochester a hub for technology and innovation. I am proud of the achievements we are recognizing and the people and organizations driving change across New York, the US, and around the globe.” Congressman Joe Morelle joined us for the keynote address to discuss the NY Smart I-Corridor Tech Hub and what it means for this region. “It’s a privilege to be here with so many innovators and creators who make this community extraordinary. Tonight, we’re not just celebrating technology—we’re honoring the spirit of innovation. That’s the spark that transforms an idea into something real and tangible, something that changes lives and moves the world forward. Rochester has a long history of this creative energy, from pioneers like George Eastman at Kodak to the emerging companies shaping the future today. Innovation has always been part of Rochester’s DNA, setting us apart from other cities. Whether in manufacturing or research at institutions like the University of Rochester and Rochester Institute of Technology this region continues to be a hub for ideas that make an impact. Congratulations to all the nominees and winners of the GREAT Awards. Your hard work and creativity are what keep this community and the world moving forward.” Jump-Starting America, co-authored by Simon Johnson and Jonathan Gruber, was published in April 2019. The book outlined a plan to revitalize the U.S. economy by significantly increasing public investment in scientific research and development across underutilized regions in the country. Their proposal emphasized the importance of fostering new technology hubs in cities outside the coastal areas, which have the potential to drive innovation and job growth, contributing to a more equitable economic future. Simon Johnson has just been awarded the 2024 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences. Rochester is indeed working towards thriving as a technology hub. Circle Optics, Inc. is thrilled to have been nominated in two categories and honored to be named 2024 Outstanding Technology Team. Read more https://lnkd.in/efCew9aN #TechRochester #GreaterROC #CircleOptics #Innovation #Synergy #Innovtion #CorporateCutlure #TechnologyHub #TECHub

Thank you TechRochester Susan Ippoliti Kavanagh Stephen DeVay and the entire #TechRochester board for selecting Circle Optics, Inc. for Outstanding Technology Team 2024. We had 11 of our 17 employees there to hear the wonderful remarks from Congressman Joe Morelle and celebrate technical innovation here in #GreaterROC.

🌍✨ Circle Optics at CEATEC Official 2024! ✨🌍 We’re thrilled to announce that Circle Optics, Inc. is making waves at CEATEC 2024, one of the world’s largest digital innovation events! 🎉 Our Chief Research Officer, Andrew Kurtz, is representing us live from Tokyo 🇯🇵 at the iconic Makuhari Messe Convention Center. Circle Optics is honored to be featured at the Global Startup Discovery booth, sponsored by JETRO - Japan External Trade Organization , in the prestigious Next Generation Park. 🚀🌐 Here’s what Andrew had to say: “We are incredibly grateful to JETRO for this sponsorship. This event opens the door for us to connect with top tech leaders in Japan and Asia, fostering exciting new partnerships and relationships with future customers.” 🔗🤝 Stay tuned for updates as we continue redefining panoramic imaging in real-time! #CEATEC2024 #CircleOptics #JETRO #PanoramicInnovation #TechInTokyo #FutureOfImaging #GlobalPartnerships #NextGenTech

We are going to release our press release tomorrow but are too excited to not share a sliver of a sliver: 📍 Circle Optics at CEATEC Official 2024 - Tokyo 🇯🇵 We are excited to have our Chief Research Officer, Andrew Kurtz, representing Circle Optics, Inc. at CEATEC 2024, unveiling our game-changing imaging solutions for immersive training, aerospace, and drone swarming! 🚀 Our parallax-free 360-degree camera systems deliver seamless, real-time panoramic views without the need for stitching. From aerospace to next-gen immersive training environments and cutting-edge drone swarm technology, our innovations are setting new standards for precision and efficiency. Catch us at Booth 5H340 to learn how Circle Optics is shaping the future of these industries! Many thanks to Misato Yanagita and the entire team at JETRO Startup! #CircleOptics #CEATEC2024 #AerospaceInnovation #ImmersiveTraining #DroneSwarming #TechTokyo #PanoramicImaging #FutureOfTech #TokyoTech