Tag: Lenskart Investments

  • Lenskart Startup Story: How It’s Making Eyewear Accessible and Empowering India with Clear Vision

    In contemporary India, approximately one-third of the population requires spectacles due to diagnosed vision issues, though only a quarter of them wear them. Beyond practical necessity, a large percentage of people choose to wear eyeglasses as a fashion statement, which creates a sizable market for a variety of eyewear options to go with different outfits.

    This shift in consumer behavior gained momentum with the inception of Lenskart in 2010, a pioneering optical prescription eyewear retail chain functioning as an eCommerce marketplace for prescription power glasses, BLU glasses, frames, and goggles.

    In this article, let’s learn more about Lenskart company, its founders, startup story, history, business model, revenue, funding, shareholding, IPO, competitors, growth, and more.

    Lenskart Company Information

    Company Name Lenskart
    Headquarters Gurugram, Haryana, India
    Sector Prescription Eyewear, E-commerce
    Founders Peyush Bansal, Sumeet Kapahi, Amit Chaudhary
    Founded 2010
    Valuation $5.6 billion (January 2025)
    Parent Company Valyoo Technologies
    Website lenskart.com

    About Lenskart
    Lenskart – How it Works?
    Lenskart – Industry
    Lenskart – Founders and Team
    Lenskart – Startup Story
    Lenskart – Mission and Vision
    Lenskart – Name and Logo
    Lenskart – Product and Services
    Lenskart – Business Model
    Lenskart – Revenue Model
    Lenskart – Subsidiaries
    Lenskart – Challenges Faced
    Lenskart – Funding and Investors
    Lenskart – Shareholding
    Lenskart – IPO
    Lenskart – Investments
    Lenskart – Acquisitions
    Lenskart – Growth
    Lenskart – Products and Features Launch
    Lenskart – Marketing Strategy
    Lenskart – Advertisements and Social Media Campaigns
    Lenskart – Competitors
    Lenskart – Future Plans

    About Lenskart

    As one of the most rapidly expanding players in the eyewear industry, Lenskart has positioned itself as a leading eCommerce company. Offering an extensive online optical store, Lenskart curates a diverse collection of both classic and trendy eyeglasses, lenses, and more, all available at affordable prices.

    Customers can conveniently order these eyewear products online and enjoy additional discounts that are frequently offered. Notably, Lenskart also emphasizes a presence in brick-and-mortar stores, ensuring a seamless blend of online and offline retail experiences for its customers.

    Lenskart – How it Works?

    One of the major companies in the eyeglasses market, Lenskart, offers a smooth online and offline purchasing experience. Easy ordering, frequent discounts, and home delivery services are enjoyed by customers. In addition to its web platform, the company distinguishes itself with its distinctive physical storefronts.

    Lenskart’s innovative ‘Home eye checkup’ service, utilizing specialized robots, ensures precise eyeglasses with accuracy up to three decimal places. Lenskart manufactures a wide range of eyewear, including contact lenses, reading glasses, and sunglasses, with a portfolio that includes over 5000 models.

    Prioritizing customer satisfaction, Lenskart offers free home delivery and a 14-day replacement guarantee. The company’s success is ascribed to elements such as a wide range of products, high quality, a varied portfolio, effective delivery, and robust after-sales service.

    Their value approach places a strong emphasis on providing premium eyeglasses at affordable costs. With its innovative designs, extensive product selection, and customer-focused business methods, Lenskart is always reinventing the spectacle shopping experience.

    Lenskart – Industry

    The eyewear industry in India continues to show strong growth. In 2025, the revenue generated in the Indian eyewear market is estimated to reach $6.24 billion. The market is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.26% from 2025 to 2029. Among the various segments, Spectacle Lenses remains the largest, with an expected market volume of $2.85 billion in 2025.


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    Lenskart – Founders and Team

    Peyush Bansal (Co-Founder and CEO), Sumeet Kapahi, and Amit Chaudhary are the Co-Founders of Lenskart.

    Amit Chaudhary, Peyush Bansal (Co-Founder and CEO), and Sumeet Kapahi are the Co-Founders of Lenskart (From left to right) | Lenskart Founders
    Amit Chaudhary, Peyush Bansal (Co-Founder and CEO), and Sumeet Kapahi are the Co-Founders of Lenskart (From left to right)

    Peyush Bansal

    Peyush Bansal is the CEO and Co-Founder of Lenskart. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering — IT, Control, and Automation from McGill University. After a brief stint as a Program Manager at Microsoft, Bansal realized his desire to make a significant impact and returned to India to address the problem of vision correction.

    During his time at IIM, Bansal founded SearchMyCampus, a successful student classifieds platform. Inspired by its success, he ventured into the eyewear market and created Flyrr, a dedicated website for the American eyewear industry. Recognizing the untapped potential in India, Bansal launched Lenskart in November 2010, initially focusing on contact lenses and later expanding into eyeglasses and sunglasses.

    Under Bansal’s leadership, Lenskart has become a prominent player in the eyewear industry. Additionally, he has gained recognition as one of the judges, often referred to as the “kindest shark,” on the popular business reality show Shark Tank India. Bansal’s cooperative attitude, belief in brands, and encouragement of aspiring entrepreneurs have made him a respected figure in the business community.

    Peyush Bansal also serves as the co-founder of companies like Aqualens, John Jacobs, Lenskart Foundation, and Neso Brands.


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    Neha Bansal

    Neha Bansal, Co-Founder of Lenskart, is an accomplished professional with a background in finance and accounting. She completed her B.Com (Hons) from Delhi University and obtained her Chartered Accountant qualification from The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. Prior to her involvement with Lenskart, she founded and served as the Director of DNS Advisors.

    Sumeet Kapahi

    Sumeet Kapahi, an alumnus of the University of Delhi, is recognized as a co-founder of Lenskart and holds the position of VP of Supply at Valyoo Technologies Pvt. Ltd the parent company of Lenskart.

    Amit Chaudhary

    Amit Chaudhary, an alumnus of the Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, is another esteemed Co-Founder of Lenskart. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology from the institute.

    The company has about 10,000+ employees.

    Lenskart – Startup Story

    Peyush Bansal, the brilliant founder of Lenskart, started his business after working as a program manager for Microsoft in the US for 11 months, where he gained useful knowledge. In November 2007, Peyush returned to India because he wanted to be his own boss, even though he was tempted by the prospect of a secure position and a high salary.

    Peyush, who graduated from McGill University in Canada with a degree in engineering, came back without a firm business strategy but with a big idea to go into e-commerce.

    Peyush interacted with Delhi University students and saw the unfulfilled demands of this group. This realization served as the impetus for the establishment of searchmycampus.com, a website that catered to the unique needs of college students by using classified ads, in January 2008. Peyush made smart use of the first money of Rs 25 lakh to engage content managers and a website developer, among other crucial individuals.

    The office was put up in the basement of Peyush’s parents’ Greater Kailash, Delhi, home in order to save expenses. With the team expanding, Lenskart’s journey began when Valyoo Technologies was formally registered. Businesses advertise on Lenskart’s platform as part of their evolving income strategy, whereby Lenskart takes a commission on deals that are successfully mediated between companies and institutions.

    This innovative approach enabled the startup to break even showcasing Peyush Bansal’s strategic vision and adaptability in steering Lenskart through its formative years in the dynamic e-commerce landscape.

    Lenskart – Mission and Vision

    The company’s mission is to “provide every Indian access to high-quality designer glasses without shelling out their pocket.”

    The company vision on the website states, “A world where eyewear helps you. Do More, Be More.

    Lenskart Logo
    Lenskart Logo

    Lenskart parent company is VALYOO Technologies.

    Lenskart – Product and Services

    Lenskart has over 5,000 frames and glasses to choose from, as well as over 45 different types of high-quality lenses. Its product offerings range from:

    • Eyeglasses
    • Premium Eyeglasses
    • Sunglasses
    • Shape options: Wayfarer, Oval, Rounders, Cat Eye
    • Size options: Small, Medium, and Large
    • Brands: Bausch and Lomb, Johnson & Johnson, Alcon
    • Color Contact Lenses, and more

    Lenskart – Business Model

    Lenskart operates on an inventory-driven business model with a B2C concept. Its in-house stylists and designers keep up with the latest eyewear trends. The manufacturers are then given these designs. By controlling the entire supply chain, the company can keep costs down.

    The company primarily serves customers through its online platform, offering a wide range of eyewear products. Additionally, Lenskart has strategically expanded into offline retail through franchise stores, catering to a broader audience across metro and non-metro areas.

    To support its operations and fuel growth, Lenskart has a dedicated team across multiple verticals including manufacturing, eye technicians, customer care, technology, and logistics. The collective expertise and dedication of these professionals contribute to the seamless functioning of Lenskart’s business model and enhance the overall customer experience.

    Lenskart is committed to enhancing customer experience by introducing innovative features and technologies. This includes a virtual try-on tool that allows customers to virtually try different frames using augmented reality. The company also offers the convenience of booking a home eye check-up for customers, making vision testing easily accessible.


    Lenskart Business Model | How Does Lenskart Make Money
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    Lenskart – Revenue Model

    Lenskart makes money from different resources:

    • Sales of Eyewear: Lenskart’s primary source of income is from the sale of a broad selection of eyewear items, which include frames, lenses, sunglasses, and contact lenses, in order to accommodate a variety of consumer preferences.
    • Subscription-Lenskart Gold: By providing special advantages like free eye exams, house visits, and discounts, Lenskart cultivates client loyalty and guarantees recurrent revenue.
    • Advertising Revenue: Lenskart employs campaigns and advertising in a calculated manner to bring in more money. Partnerships, unique promotions, and creative marketing help build brand awareness and draw in new clients. Sponsored content and partnerships bring in money.

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    Lenskart – Subsidiaries

    Neso Brands, a subsidiary of Lenskart, is a Singapore-based global eyewear brand founded in 2022 to empower DTC brands and help them turn into brands of the future. Lenskart’s D2C venture was registered as Neso Brands which was waiting for some funds.

    Neso Brands raised $100 million in funding in one of the largest seed rounds raised by any startup, on May 16, 2022. With huge investors like Alpha Wave, Temasek, Softbank, and more, Neso Brands aims to partner and invest in consumer eyewear brands and help them grow by leveraging synergies across the Lenskart Group.

    Lenskart – Challenges Faced

    In its early stages, Lenskart company faced challenges in the eyewear industry, grappling with limited accessibility, low awareness about eye tests, and affordability concerns. A major obstacle was persuading clients to accept the online store as a competitive substitute for traditional shopping.

    In order to tackle these problems and alter people’s opinions about eyewear, Lenskart deliberately concentrated on offering high-quality items at prices lower than those of its physical competitors. The desktop and mobile apps, offline storefronts, and desktop platforms all did well despite the mobile website’s lower conversion rates. By urging people to download their mobile apps, Lenskart set the stage for a thorough redesign of their website.

    First addressing three main challenges: making sure that prescriptions are accurate, locating glasses that fit properly, and helping customers envision how the glasses will look. Lenskart was able to navigate and overcome these obstacles because of its dedication to ongoing innovation. Through perseverance and hard work, Lenskart was able to establish itself as a significant participant in the constantly changing eyewear market, completing a remarkable journey from humble beginnings to industry leadership.

    Lenskart – Funding and Investors

    Lenskart has raised a total of $1.8 billion in over 18 rounds of funding. Their latest funding was raised on June 3, 2024, in a Secondary Market round by Temasek Holdings.

    In 2019, Lenskart achieved unicorn status by raising a funding round led by SoftBank, the Japanese financial conglomerate.

    Lenskart’s funding history and investor details are as follows:

    Date Round Amount Lead Investors
    June 03, 2024 Secondary Market $200 million Temasek Holdings
    June 15, 2023 Series I $100 million Chrys Capital
    March 16, 2023 Series I $500 million Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA)
    November 18, 2022 Series I $40 million DSP Mutual Fund
    August 8, 2022 Series I $12.5 million Ravi Modi Family Trust
    June 9, 2022 Series I $28.2 million Avendus Future Leaders Fund II
    April 27, 2022 Series I $25 million Epiq Capital
    April 11, 2022 Series I $100 million Alpha Wave Incubation (Previously Falcon Edge)
    July 19, 2021 Series H $220 million Alpha Wave Global and Temasek Holdings
    May 16, 2021 Secondary Market $95 million Kohlberg Kravis Roberts
    December 20, 2019 Series G $275 million SoftBank Vision Fund
    September 16, 2019 Series F $55 million Kedaara Capital

    Lenskart – Shareholding

    Lenskart Shareholding Pattern (as of December 2024) | Peyush Bansal Shareholding in Lenskart
    Lenskart Shareholding Pattern (as of December 2024)

    Lenskart’s shareholding pattern as of December 2024, sourced from Tracxn:

    Lenskart Shareholders Percentage
    Neha Bansal 3.9%
    Peyush Bansal 3.9%
    Amit Chaudhary 0.5%
    Sumeet Kapahi 0.5%
    SoftBank Vision Fund 13.7%
    ADIA 11.3%
    Premji Invest 4.7%
    Temasek 6.4%
    Unilazer Ventures 3.6%
    Alpha Wave Global 7.0%
    Steadview 3.5%
    Kedaara 5.9%
    Birdseye View 2.0%
    TR Capital 2.0%
    Schroders Capital 1.0%
    Bay Capital Holdings 0.9%
    Epiq Capital Advisors 1.3%
    Fidelity Investments 1.7%
    ABG Capital 0.6%
    Avendus 0.6%
    Madison India Capital 0.5%
    Chiratae Ventures 1.2%
    Kariba Holdings 0.4%
    DSP Mutual Fund 0.3%
    Ravi Modi Family Trust 0.3%
    Axis Mutual Fund 0.2%
    Central Park Group 0.1%
    Technology Venture Partners < 0.1%
    Dove Investments 1.9%
    SBI 0.2%
    Defati Investments Holding 0.2%
    Tri Fund Holding < 0.1%
    Eclk Innovations < 0.1%
    Infinity Partners < 0.1%
    Angel 0.2%
    ESOP Pool 19.1%
    Other Investors 0.2%
    Total 100.0%

    Lenskart – IPO

    Lenskart is planning to launch a $1 billion IPO, targeting a valuation of about $10 billion. The company has appointed Kotak Mahindra Bank and Morgan Stanley as lead arrangers in January 2025, with additional banks expected to join. Lenskart aims to file its draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) by May 2025, with the IPO expected to take place within the same calendar year. While the exact timeline and final details are still being finalised and may change.

    This move comes as India’s stock market experiences a surge in startup listings, with over 25 companies planning IPOs in 2025.

    Lenskart – Investments

    Lenskart has made 7 investments to date. Here are the details of the Lenskart investment rounds:

    Date Organization Name Round Amount
    May 19, 2022 GeoIQ.io Seed Round $2.3 million
    Dec 30, 2021 Tango Eye Seed Round Rs 5 crore
    Dec 20, 2021 Metadome.ai Series A $4 million
    Oct 13, 2020 Tango Eye Seed Round $500K
    May 7, 2018 ThinOptics Venture Round $500K
    Nov 11, 2017 6over6 Series A $11 million
    Sep 23, 2017 Ditto Venture Round $1 million

    Exit

    Lenskart has exited from two companies: Tango Eye and 6over6.

    Lenskart – Acquisitions

    Lenskart has acquired three companies to date.

    Here are the details of Lenskart’s acquisitions:

    Company Acquired Date Amount
    Tango Eye Oct 30, 2023
    Owndays Jun 30, 2022 $400 million
    DailyJoy Apr 27, 2021

    Lenskart – Growth

    Some important growth highlights of Lenskart can be summed up as:

    • It has 1 million+ customers as of January 2024.
    • Lenskart is spread across 313 cities in India as of January 2025.
    • The company has 1300+ stores and a Home try-on Service as of January 2025.
    • Lenskart boasts of having over 5000 styles of eyewear, which is 5X more than that of any retailer in India as of January 2025.
    • The valuation of Lenskart is $5.6 billion as of November 2024.
    • Lenskart is recognized as one of the top optical businesses in India.

    Lenskart – Financials

    Here is a detailed breakdown of Lenskart’s finacials:

    Lenskart Financials FY23 FY24
    Operating Revenue INR 3788 crore INR 5428 crore
    Total Expenses INR 4025 crore INR 5550 crore
    Profit/Loss INR -63 crore INR -10 crore
    About Lenskart Company Financials
    Lenskart Financials FY24

    Lenskart’s financials show significant improvement from FY23 to FY24. The company’s operating revenue grew by 43%, increasing from INR 3,788 crore to INR 5,428 crore. Total expenses also rose by 38%, from INR 4,025 crore IN FY23 to INR 5,549.5 crore in FY24. Although Lenskart still recorded a loss, the loss amount was reduced by 84%, from INR 63 crore in FY23 to INR 10 crore in FY24.

    Due to cost-effective management, Lenskart reduced its losses by 84%. Its Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) was 2.28%, and its EBITDA margin was 15.25%. For each rupee of revenue, Lenskart spent INR 1.02 in FY24.

    Lenskart Expense Breakdown

    Expense Type FY24 FY23
    Operational Costs INR 1,482.9 crore INR 1,132.8 crore
    Marketing INR 1,891.7 crore INR 1,438.6 crore
    Administrative Costs INR 1,086.5 crore INR 717.6 crore
    Other Expenses INR 1,089.2 crore INR 736.1 crore
    Total Expense INR 5,549.6 crore INR 4,025.1 crore

    Lenskart total expenses rose from INR 4,025.1 crore in FY23 to INR 5,549.5 crore in FY24.


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    Lenskart – Products and Features Launch

    Here are some of the products launched by Lenskart:

    WhatsApp chat

    A COVID Relief Helpline was launched by the Lenskart Foundation in June 2021. The solely WhatsApp-based helpline, which aims to provide a helping hand to those in need, allows anyone to message the number with their request for assistance.

    Lenskart Vision Fund

    The eyewear business Lenskart established the “Lenskart Vision Fund” in June 2021, through which it seeks to invest in companies that are beneficial to the omnichannel retail, eyewear, and eye-care industries.

    Collaboration with Ace Designer JJ Valaya

    Lenskart has a partnership with Ace Designer JJ Valaya in June 2022, and with this partnership, JJ Valaya’s campaign for his brand-new bridge to luxury has taken a big leap into the fashion landscape.

    Eyewear App in Singapore and the Middle East

    In June 2021, Lenskart, a prominent omnichannel eyewear retailer in India, launched its exclusive eyewear app in Singapore and the Middle East.

    Lenskart Studio

    Lenskart entered into a new line of products by the name of hip-hoprt Studio” in May 2023 and has been introduced by Lenskart. Beginning with hip hop, the new private label line will provide collections that are influenced by diverse subcultures.

    K-Pop Realm

    Lenskart has entered the K-pop realm with the launch of an AI-driven collection and campaign in August 2023. Luxurious acetate eyeglasses with color-blocked rims and sunglasses in eye-catching hues are featured in Lenskart Studio’s K-Pop Collection.

    Lenskart Membership

    If you are interested in learning about Lenskart membership, then the company currently has a Gold Membership that the users can avail of at Rs 600 annually, with which they would just have to buy 1 product to get another one free.

    Lenskart – Marketing Strategy

    Lenskart employs a diverse marketing strategy some of which are listed below:

    Celebrity Endorsements for Brand Appeal:

    To increase brand visibility and appeal, Lenskart carefully combines celebrity endorsements, working with well-known personalities like as Karan Johar. This strategy successfully appeals to a wide spectrum of viewers while projecting an elegant and aspirational image of Lenskart’s eyewear selection.

    Multi-Media Promotion:

    In order to reach a wide range of consumers, Lenskart has a thorough multi-channel marketing approach that makes use of both traditional and digital media.
    To provide optimum brand presence across a variety of media, channels include print, television, outdoor media, and online commercials.

    Engaging in Active Social Media:

    Through vibrant social media platforms, the brand actively interacts with consumers, building a strong online community.
    Influencer partnerships, interactive elements like online try-ons and in-home trials, and other social media campaigns offer tailored experiences that streamline the process of purchasing eyeglasses.

    Tailored Customer Experiences:

    Virtual try-ons and home trials are just two examples of how Lenskart prioritizes individualized experiences for its customers.
    These features improve the entire purchasing experience by enabling customers to meaningfully engage with the brand and make well-informed decisions about eyewear.


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    Lenskart – Advertisements and Social Media Campaigns

    Lenskart Marketing Campaign With Karan Johar and Kiara Advani

    Lenskart’s ad campaign, featuring Karan Johar and Kiara Advani, takes a witty approach, infusing humor into the exploration of its diverse eyewear offerings. The tagline ‘Glasses badlo, Vibe badlo’ encapsulates the idea that changing glasses is a transformative experience for one’s overall style, not just a visual upgrade. The TVC presents Lenskart as a chic and adaptable option for eyewear by highlighting the company’s support of people to assemble a collection appropriate for various situations and emotions.

    Lenskart – Competitors

    Lenskart is up against both offline and online competitors including:

    • Coolwinks
    • GKB Opticals
    • Specsmakers
    • Deals4Opticals
    • LensBazaar
    • Vision Express
    • Titan EyePlus

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    Lenskart – Future Plans

    Lenskart is preparing for an IPO, aiming to raise $1 billion, with a targeted valuation of about $10 billion.

    In addition to the IPO, Lenskart is expanding into Southeast Asia, having opened its first store in Bangkok, Thailand, in October 2024. The company plans to open 300–400 stores across the SEA region over the next two years, focusing initially on Thailand and then the Philippines.

    Lenskart also plans to establish its largest eyewear manufacturing facility in Telangana with an investment of about INR 1,500 crore. This new facility will produce eyewear, lenses, and accessories for both domestic and international markets, while also creating about 2,100 jobs.

    FAQs

    What is Lenskart?

    Lenskart is a leading e-commerce company that creates an online optical store that sells a variety of eyewear. Customers will get the new eyewear collections with free home delivery through the company’s marketplace, which offers prescription eyewear, branded contact lenses, sunglasses, and accessories.

    Who is the founder of Lenskart company?

    Peyush Bansal, Amit Chaudhary, and Sumeet Kapahi are the founders of Lenskart.

    Who is the Lenskart CEO?

    Peyush Bansal is the CEO of Lenskart.

    When was Lenskart founded?

    Lenskart started in the year 2010.

    What is Lenskart valuation?

    Lenskart valuation as of November 2024 is $5.6 billion.

    What is Lenskart gold membership?

    Lenskart membership is a Gold Membership program that allows you to get a free pair of glasses every time you buy a pair of Eyeglasses, including Lenskart power glasses, Lenskart spectacles, or Sunglasses at Lenskart until your gold membership is still valid.

    Who is the Lenskart delivery partner?

    Lenskart delivery partners are among the most reputed courier services in India including BlueDart, FedEx, DTDC, and more.

    Which is Lenskart parent company?

    Lenskart parent company is VALYOO Technologies.