Romanian Startup .lumen Secures Record €1 Million in One Day on SeedBlink
.lumen, a pioneering Romanian startup, has achieved a remarkable fundraising milestone by raising €1 million in a single day on the SeedBlink platform. The startup, founded by Cornel Amariei, has developed innovative glasses designed to enhance mobility for the blind and visually impaired. These .lumen Glasses utilize PAD AI technology to mimic the functionalities of a guide dog, offering users unprecedented levels of independence and safety.
.lumen's flagship product, the .lumen Glasses, incorporates advanced autonomous driving technology to assist visually impaired pedestrians. The glasses aim to provide a safer and more independent walking experience by replicating the main features of a guide dog.
.lumen's strategic plan includes launching a limited series of the glasses in the fourth quarter of 2024, with an entry into the US market scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2025. The company aims to sell 10,000 units by the end of 2026, targeting both the European and US markets.
The €1 million raised on SeedBlink is part of a larger €5 million funding round. The European Innovation Council and Venture to Future Fund are co-investors, contributing a combined €4 million. Notably, this marks one of the few investments by Venture to Future Fund outside Slovakia.
On the SeedBlink platform, private investors were able to participate in the funding round with a minimum investment of €2,500.
“This record round on SeedBlink is a testament to the potential for innovation in Romania. Despite being ranked as the least innovative country in the EU, we believe Romania can deliver life-changing innovations to the world," said Cornel Amariei in a press release.
.lumen's rapid success in raising €1 million on SeedBlink underscores the startup's potential to make a significant impact on the lives of visually impaired individuals. With strong backing from notable investors and a strategic roadmap for market entry, .lumen is poised to lead the way in assistive technology for the visually impaired, showcasing Romania's capability to produce world-changing innovations.