Luminate NY Winner Oculi Moves Headquarters to Rochester, Boosts Local Jobs
“Oculi has solidified its presence in Rochester's bustling tech hub and has created roots, new jobs, and a new headquarters within the Sibley Square building”

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Rochester, NY - July 15, 2024

Oculi, a deep-tech, fabless semiconductor company that produces intelligent sensors for AI products, has moved its headquarters from Baltimore, MD to Rochester, NY, helping to drive economic growth in the Finger Lakes region through expanded operations and increased job opportunities. In 2023, Oculi was the $1M winner of Luminate NY, the world’s largest accelerator for companies working on technologies enabled by optics, photonics, and imaging (OPI). By setting up operations at Sibley Square in downtown Rochester, Oculi joins the more than 170 tech companies that are located within the city center, contributing to the local workforce and the region’s designation as a NY SMART I-Corridor Tech Hub.

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“Rochester is a city ripe with incredible talent and resources to help us speed the commercialization of our Oculi SPU technology and advance our business,” said Dr. Charbel Rizk, founder, CEO, and CTO of Oculi.

"The collaborative environment and robust innovation ecosystem here provide us with unique opportunities to grow our company and contribute to the flourishing tech landscape in this region. By leveraging Rochester's strengths, we will continue to scale our business and make a meaningful impact in this community."

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Oculi Is Putting the Eye in AI, Innovating from Rochester's Tech Hub

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Oculi is hard at work creating products that are transforming computer/machine vision for edge applications, such as smart and interactive devices at home, the office, and in vehicles, including those used in gaming and the Augmented Reality (AR)/Virtual Reality (VR) market. Its OCULI SPU™ (Sensor and Processing Unit), the world’s first Software-Defined Vision Sensor™, represents a groundbreaking advancement in optical sensor technology, meticulously designed for AI-driven applications. Unlike traditional image sensors that cater to human image interpretation, the OCULI SPU is specifically optimized for vision-based Machine Learning (ML) and engineered to serve the computational demands of ML algorithms. This shift in design philosophy enables more efficient, faster, and intelligent processing capabilities that are essential for contemporary AI products.

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The innovation is the product of more than 18 years of R&D at Johns Hopkins University, led by Dr. Rizk. Inspired by the efficiency of biology, particularly human vision, and the rapid processing capabilities of machines, the OCULI SPU enhances computer vision by accelerating speed and efficiency. There are many applications for this technology. Oculi’s initial focus is enabling places and devices to understand their environment and make smart and quick decisions or act interactively and naturally with users.

 

For example:

• Smart building and appliance management to reduce energy waste and support green initiatives

• In-cabin monitoring for safer driving

• Real-time eye and gesture tracking for better AR/VR experiences

• Improved image/video quality

 

Oculi hopes to secure additional funding and partnerships to scale operations for mass production, expand sales, and develop advanced versions of its SPU products. With a $1 million investment pledged by New York State through the Finger Lakes Forward Upstate Revitalization Initiative, Oculi is primed to leave its mark on Rochester's dynamic tech landscape. Already, Oculi has executed a partnership agreement with GlobalFoundries. Additionally, the company stands to gain up to $600,000 through the performance-based Excelsior Jobs Tax-Credit program, driving the creation of new employment opportunities. Presently, Oculi boasts a growing workforce, with plans for further expansion on the horizon. The company was also recently named as one of the Top 100 Startups to Watch in 2024 by EE Times. 

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“Oculi's commitment to revolutionizing artificial vision, coupled with their focus on quality and efficiency, speaks volumes about their dedication to driving innovation in a region notorious for technology enabled by OPI. As they expand their operations and create jobs in Rochester, they are not just building products—they are building a future where technology enhances lives and reshapes industries. Rochester's thriving innovation ecosystem provides a fertile ground for Oculi and similar startups, fostering collaboration and propelling them towards groundbreaking advancements," said Dr. Sujatha Ramanujan, Managing Director of Luminate.

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​Oculi was honored with the prestigious "Company of the Year" Award at Luminate Finals 2023, a milestone celebrated at Innovation Square in Rochester, NY. As part of the award's requirements, all competition winners commit to establishing some aspect of their operations in the region for a minimum of 18 months.

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Luminate NY, administered by NextCorps, continues to serve as the premier business accelerator for emerging companies harnessing OPI technologies. The culmination of the sixth year of this cohort-based program marks a significant milestone, with over 60 companies now flourishing within its portfolio.

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​For more information,visit www.oculi.ai. To get updates on Luminate and the emerging technologies being developed in Rochester, go to www.luminate.org.

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