June 12, 2025 – Rochester, NY | Circle Optics, Inc. is proud to announce its acceptance into the 2025 MassChallenge Air Force Labs Accelerator, a program delivered in partnership with Hanscom Air Force Base to support dual-use ventures developing mission-critical technologies for the U.S. Air Force.
Circle Optics is one of only 12 startups selected for the 6th cohort of Air Force Labs. Participants gain access to an unparalleled global network of partners, mentors, and experts committed to accelerating the transition of breakthrough technologies into defense applications.
“We are thrilled to include a high-potential startup like Circle Optics, Inc. in our 6th cohort,” said Will Magruder, Vice President of Partnerships at MassChallenge. “We’re excited to help them build relationships at Hanscom Air Force Base and support their pursuit of a Direct to Phase II SBIR.”
Circle Optics has pioneered the world’s first stitch-free 360° camera system, enabling seamless panoramic imaging without distortion or post-processing. This game-changing technology has broad applications in surveillance, autonomous systems, aerospace, and virtual reality. With a team holding over 200 collective patents and experience from industry leaders including IMAX, Kodak, L3Harris, and Navitar, Circle Optics is poised to deliver transformative imaging solutions to defense and commercial markets alike.
As part of the program, Circle Optics will focus on securing a Direct to Phase II SBIR (D2P2) and strengthening relationships within the Air Force innovation ecosystem. The company looks forward to working closely with the Hanscom acquisition community and other key stakeholders to advance capabilities that enhance national security. Founder & CEO Zak Niazi says, “We’re thrilled to join this program—it not only opens doors at Hanscom AFB but also builds strategic partnerships with key defense primes. Our technology has reached a pivotal level of maturity, making it ready for rapid transition into warfighters’ hands, and this initiative couldn’t have come at a better time.”
Circle Optics remains committed to its mission of delivering 360° imaging technologies that revolutionize how we view, analyze, and interact with the world.
About Circle Optics
Circle Optics is advancing the frontier of real-time panoramic imaging with a proprietary stitch-free architecture that eliminates parallax, distortion, and the need for post-processing. Our patented polygonal lens technology delivers seamless 360° capture—enabling faster, more accurate insights for mission-critical applications in defense, aerospace, and immersive training.
What sets Circle Optics apart is not only our breakthrough technology but also the engineering heritage behind it: our team includes inventors with over 200 combined patents from legacy imaging leaders such as Kodak, Carestream, IMAX, and Navitar. Backed by a growing portfolio of 21 issued and pending patents, Circle Optics is strategically positioned to scale through deep-tech differentiation, sustained R&D investment, and strong industry partnerships—bringing technically advanced, market-ready solutions to high-performance environments.
About MassChallenge
MassChallenge is a global network for innovators. Headquartered in the U.S., with eight locations worldwide, MassChallenge is a nonprofit committed to helping bold entrepreneurs disrupt the status quo. Since 2009, MassChallenge has supported more than 4,400 startups across 24 countries and awarded over $19 million in equity-free cash and prizes. Learn more at masschallenge.org
Media Contact
Jennifer Sertl
Vice President, Marketing & Business Development
Circle Optics
📞 +1 585.704.5202
✉️ jennifer@circleoptics.com
🌐 www.circleoptics.com
