Belgian Inventor Creates Unique, Crowdfunded Glasses
Oostendenaar Mario Major successfully raised €50,000 through crowdfunding for his custom-designed eyewear line, according to a statement released by the campaign platform. The initiative, launched on November 15, exceeded its initial goal of €30,000 within 10 days, with 1,200 backers contributing to the project. Major, a 34-year-old industrial designer based in Oostende, described the campaign as a “testament to local innovation” in an interview with made-in.be.
The glasses, named “Lumina,” feature a patented lens coating that adjusts to ambient light conditions, a technology developed in collaboration with a Belgian materials science lab. According to a technical overview provided by Major’s team, the lenses use a photochromic polymer that darkens in sunlight and clears indoors, reducing eye strain. A prototype was showcased at a regional tech fair in Antwerp in October, where it received attention from several investors.
The crowdfunding campaign, hosted on the Dutch platform “Startups.nl,” allowed backers to pre-order the glasses at a discounted rate. Contributors who pledged €100 or more received a pair of sample frames, while higher-tier donors gained access to custom design consultations. A spokesperson for Startups.nl confirmed the campaign’s success, noting it ranked among the top 10 most-funded projects in the platform’s history for 2023.
Major, who previously worked on sustainable packaging solutions, said the eyewear project emerged from his personal need for “light-adaptive glasses” during his travels. “I noticed how traditional sunglasses limited my vision in low-light environments,” he stated. “This product aims to solve that gap.” His team has not yet disclosed production timelines but indicated that manufacturing could begin by mid-2024, pending final regulatory approvals.
The initiative has drawn comparisons to similar crowdfunding successes in Europe, such as the Dutch smart-glasses startup “OptiVision,” which raised €1.2 million in 2022. However, Major’s team emphasized that Lumina’s focus on affordability—priced at €199 per pair—sets it apart from high-end competitors. A market analysis cited in the campaign materials noted that 68% of Belgian consumers express interest in adaptive eyewear, though adoption rates remain low due to cost barriers.
Local business leaders in Oostende have praised the project as an example of regional entrepreneurship. “Mario’s work demonstrates how small-scale innovation can scale effectively,” said Liesbeth Van der Meer, director of the Oostende Innovation Hub. “This could inspire more startups to leverage crowdfunding as a viable funding model.” No official response has been released from major eyewear manufacturers regarding the product’s potential market impact.
Major’s team has scheduled a press event for December 5 to unveil the final design and discuss distribution plans. The campaign’s success has also prompted discussions about potential partnerships with opticians in Flanders, though no agreements have been finalized. As of December 1, the project remains active, with 45 days remaining to secure additional funding for international shipping options.