XPANCEO, a Dubai-based deep tech startup, is developing the world's first 'invisible' smart contact lens that integrates AI, augmented reality, and biosensing directly into the human eye, aiming to revolutionize human-technology interaction.

The company recently secured $250 million in a Series A funding round at a $1.35 billion valuation, marking the largest Series A in the UAE and MENA, and ranking among the top three global hardware funding rounds.

With 20 prototypes already developed, XPANCEO plans to complete pre-clinical trials for individual components within two years, followed by human trials for the full lens and limited B2B production.

The company is working to consolidate functionalities like biosensors, microbatteries, intraocular pressure monitoring, and AR display into a single lens, aiming to unify all components by the end of 2026.

XPANCEO intends to certify its lenses as medical devices, adhering to strict health data standards, and sees itself as creating a new interface category rather than competing directly with tech giants.

The company will showcase its prototypes and vision at GITEX GLOBAL 2025 in Dubai, emphasizing its role in pioneering the next frontier of personal technology.

Over the next decade, XPANCEO envisions these lenses evolving from prototypes into practical tools for sectors like healthcare, manufacturing, and mobility, providing real-time, hands-free information to enhance safety and efficiency.

Founder Roman Axelrod describes the smart lens as a revolutionary interface that seamlessly integrates into human senses, transforming interaction with digital information without replacing existing devices.

Given the technology's direct interaction with the body, XPANCEO is prioritizing privacy, security, and ethical considerations, including biosignal-based authentication and compliance with international medical standards.