AllFocal Optics

AllFocal Optics is a Cambridge University deeptech spinout solving one of the biggest barriers to mass adoption of augmented and virtual reality: the physical discomfort caused by existing headsets. Founded in 2022 (originally as Lark Optics) by Dr. Pawan Shrestha, Professor Daping Chu, and Dr. Xin Chang, the company is built on over a decade of research in the Centre for Photonic Devices and Sensors at Cambridge's Department of Engineering. The core problem it addresses is the vergence-accommodation conflict — the mismatch between where the eye focuses and where virtual objects appear to be located — which causes nausea, dizziness, and headaches in most current XR devices.

AllFocal's ultra-thin nanophotonic lenses project digital images directly onto the user's retina, keeping them in constant focus regardless of how the eyes adjust to the surrounding environment. The technology is compatible with any display type — LCD, OLED, and others — and requires no mechanically adjustable lenses or fluid optics. This makes it suitable for integration into a wide range of hardware, from consumer XR headsets and smart glasses to automotive heads-up displays, aerospace helmets, and medical devices. The company is on track to be the first in the world to deliver commercially scalable adaptive lenses of this kind.

In November 2024, AllFocal raised $5.3 million in seed funding led by Speedinvest, with additional support from 7PC Ventures, Martlet, Another.VC, and Innovate UK grants. Tech veteran Dr. Ash Salusbury — former VP of Technology at Microsoft and leader of Meta's AR programme — joined as company Chair. Initial automotive trials with Jaguar Land Rover were announced for 2025, and the company is targeting a commercial product launch in AR glasses and VR headsets within two years.