IRVINE, Calif.—SDC Technologies, a global leader in the development and manufacturing of high-performance specialty coatings, has announced a significant follow-on investment in flō Optics, a pioneer in digital lens coating and surface treatment technologies, as part of its recently completed SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity) financing round. As a lead strategic investor in the round, SDC Technologies, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsui Chemicals, Inc., said it has “significantly expanded its investment, reinforcing its commitment to flō Optics and its innovative digital coating platform,” and will appoint a representative to flō Optics’ board of directors, further strengthening the strategic collaboration between the two companies.
Building on the partnership established through flō Optics’ Series A financing in July 2025, this investment further aligns the long-term strategic interests of both companies and reflects SDC’s growing confidence in flō Optics’ technology, commercial progress and future growth potential, the companies advised.
“This investment is a strong vote of confidence in both our technology and our execution,” said Jonathan Jaglom, chief executive officer of flō Optics. “SDC has been an outstanding strategic partner, and their decision to significantly expand their investment and join our board reflects a shared belief in the scale of the opportunity ahead. As we transition from development into early commercialization, we look forward to deepening our collaboration and leveraging the extensive materials science expertise, industrial capabilities, and global reach of SDC and the broader Mitsui Chemicals Group.”
“We are excited to expand our partnership with flō Optics through this investment and board participation,” said Richard Chang, president and CEO of SDC Technologies. “The company has made impressive progress in advancing a transformative approach to ophthalmic lens coating. We believe flō Optics is well-positioned to drive meaningful innovation in the industry, and we look forward to supporting the team as they scale commercialization and accelerate market adoption.”
In addition to SDC’s participation, all eligible existing shareholders exercised their pro-rata participation rights in the financing round, the announcement stated, demonstrating continued support from both strategic and financial investors and “reinforcing broad confidence in flō Optics’ technology, execution, and commercial potential.”
Proceeds from the financing will support continued commercialization activities, expanded customer deployments, and ongoing development of flō Optics’ next-generation digital coating platforms, the announcement stated.
“With this latest investment, SDC has strengthened its position as a key strategic partner and investor in flō Optics, alongside other strategic stakeholders supporting the company’s continued growth and innovation,” the announcement noted. “Together, SDC Technologies and flō Optics are advancing the future of ophthalmic lens manufacturing through innovative coating technologies designed to improve precision, efficiency and sustainability.”
SDC Technologies was acquired by Mitsui Chemicals, Inc., in 2008 and is part of the Mitsui Chemicals Group.
