A post-2000 entrepreneur from Zhejiang University secures tens of millions in financing led by GAO Bingqiang and BlueRun Ventures, entering the AI intelligent imaging field through long-distance observation | Exclusive report by Yingke

Author | Huang Nan

Editor | Yuan Silai

Yingke learned that StarSense (Ningbo) Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "StarSense Technology") has recently completed consecutive Angel + and Angel ++ rounds of financing, with a cumulative amount of tens of millions of yuan. The two rounds of financing were led by Gao Feng Patient Capital under the leadership of Professor Gao Bingqiang and BlueRun Ventures, respectively, with Songhe Capital participating in the follow - on investment. Existing shareholders, including Qingshuiwan Phase II Fund and Miracle Plus, continued to increase their investment. The funds from this round will be mainly used for the R & D of core intelligent imaging technologies, the creation of a new product matrix, the iterative optimization of product experience, as well as the construction of the production system and supply - chain capabilities. Previously, the company had received seed - round and angel - round investments from the Ningbo Institute of Intelligent Technology under the leadership of Professor Li Zexiang, Qingshuiwan Phase II Fund, and Miracle Plus.

StarSense Technology is an enterprise focusing on the R & D of intelligent imaging technologies and hardware manufacturing. Starting from the long - distance observation scenario, it has launched the Vizta intelligent telescope with AI functions, which has raised hundreds of thousands of yuan through crowdfunding on Kickstarter and Indiegogo.

The telescope market, long dominated by traditional optical giants, is being revitalized by new - generation entrepreneurs with consumer - grade intelligent products. StarSense Technology has ingeniously transformed mobile phones into intelligent telescopes through structural design and AI algorithm innovation. This not only achieves the integration of long - distance observation and shooting at low cost and high efficiency but also further lowers the operation threshold of the product and enriches its gameplay and fun through AI functions. This innovation of integrating software and hardware meets the needs of hundreds of millions of long - distance observation users worldwide.

According to the report "Birding in the United States: A Demographic and Economic Analysis" released by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in November 2024, in the United States alone, about 96 million people participate in bird - watching activities each year, and outdoor bird - watchers spend an average of 34 days bird - watching per year. As the wave of outdoor sports sweeps across the globe, the number of people with needs for long - distance observation and shooting, such as bird - watching and stargazing, is growing rapidly.

"Many of them are not professional industry users but ordinary consumers who are interested in long - distance observation and pursue the experience of 'seeing farther'. Besides astronomical observation and animal photography, they also use telescopes and long - focal - length imaging devices in scenarios such as outdoor sports, concert star - chasing, and landscape and portrait photography," said Xie Zhixin, the founder and CEO of StarSense Technology.

The first product launched by StarSense Technology, the Vizta intelligent telescope, is somewhat "unique" compared to most products on the market. Firstly, it simplifies the hardware form. It does not have a built - in screen, battery, or processor but is a pure, lightweight optical long - focal - length lens that can be used in conjunction with mobile phones and is compatible with most models available on the market.

It can be easily put into a pocket and carried around (Source: Company)

The product weighs only 290 grams, about the weight of half a bottle of mineral water, and can be easily put into a pocket and carried around. Users can easily shoot stylized and high - quality image content without learning complex parameters or post - processing, which solves the problems of high cost, bulkiness, and complexity of traditional "big - gun" equipment. Equipped with an AI assistant, it creates a new photography interaction experience, enabling ordinary mobile phones to output professional - level long - focal - length images.

Currently, the Vizta intelligent telescope has been sold to many countries and regions. Its target users are mainly consumer - grade imaging enthusiasts, covering diverse scenarios such as bird - watching, astronomical photography, outdoor sports recording, concert and landscape portrait photography, and it also extends to entry - level users such as students and parent - child families. Xie Zhixin revealed to Yingke that the product has a considerable profit margin and has achieved positive cash flow, which is rare among early - stage consumer hardware companies.

"We chose to first run a closed - loop with a small and beautiful single product. It can help us obtain real user feedback and generate cash flow. Self - financing is the top priority, and financing is for amplifying the verification," said Xie Zhixin.

Based on the large amount of user data accumulated from the first product and the verification of the long - distance imaging market, StarSense Technology is developing new independent imaging equipment products. It is shifting the focus from tools to AI experience and embedding the image production process into the user's creative ecosystem.

Vizta intelligent telescope (Source: Company)

On one hand, the growth of professional equipment has slowed down and it is difficult to break into the mainstream market. On the other hand, the demand of the general public is continuously expanding from "being able to shoot" to "shooting well" and then to "shooting meaningfully". "To meet this leap, the equipment needs to have the ability to understand the environment and space and actively provide suggestions," Xie Zhixin said. "It is not just a stack of technical indicators but a direct response to the real needs of users and the long - standing pain points of the industry."

Based on this judgment, StarSense Technology has chosen a differentiated and progressive path. Instead of rushing to develop a "large and comprehensive" all - in - one machine, it first runs a complete closed - loop from user insight, product definition, mass production and delivery to positive cash flow with a small and beautiful single product. In this process, it accumulates real user data and understanding of scenarios and then gradually iterates towards higher - level independent intelligent terminals.

Vizta intelligent telescope (Source: Company)

Currently, the long - focal - length observation track is undergoing a paradigm shift from professional tools to mass - consumer products. Traditional optical giants rely on brand and channel barriers to hold on to the high - end market, while emerging startups are approaching from different paths such as form, interaction, and AI capabilities, aiming to truly meet the core needs of entry - level users to "use it right away and have fun".

From simplifying the form and lowering the threshold to activating the creativity and exploration desire of ordinary users through AI interaction and professional imaging capabilities, the industry is moving away from the involution of piling up parameters and professional degrees and towards being "easy to carry, easy to use, and fun to play" for the general public. Behind this is the leap of users from "being able to shoot" to "shooting well" and then to "shooting meaningfully", which is also the opportunity that StarSense Technology hopes to seize in the next stage of intelligent imaging.