Business Startup

Lenskart Gears Up for $1 Billion IPO—Here’s Everything You Need to Know

  • January 10, 2025
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Lenskart Preps for IPO: What Does This Mean for the Eyewear Giant? Lenskart, the Indian eyewear leader founded by Peyush Bansal in 2010, is making big moves to

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Lenskart Gears Up for $1 Billion IPO—Here’s Everything You Need to Know

Lenskart Preps for IPO: What Does This Mean for the Eyewear Giant?

Lenskart, the Indian eyewear leader founded by Peyush Bansal in 2010, is making big moves to go public with plans to raise between $750 million and $1 billion through an Initial Public Offering (IPO). This marks an exciting new chapter for the company, and if successful, could make it one of the largest listings in India’s booming startup ecosystem.

Lenskart has become a household name in India, revolutionizing the eyewear market with its affordable and stylish options. Now, with the IPO on the horizon, all eyes are on this rapidly growing company to see if it can meet the high expectations set by investors and industry insiders. Let’s dive deeper into Lenskart’s ambitious plans and what it means for the company and its investors.


How Big Is Lenskart’s IPO Going to Be?

Lenskart’s IPO is set to be a massive event in the Indian stock market. The company is eyeing a valuation between $7 billion and $8 billion, making it one of the largest IPOs in India’s startup scene. For context, that would place Lenskart in the same league as some of the country’s biggest tech players, and possibly even among the top IPOs in recent years.

But why is Lenskart going public now? The company has seen rapid growth over the past few years, attracting significant investments and expanding its footprint globally. By going public, Lenskart hopes to raise funds that will not only fuel its expansion but also help it capture a larger share of the global eyewear market.


When Will Lenskart Go Public? Targeting FY26

Lenskart is targeting an IPO by the end of FY26, meaning it hopes to launch its public offering within the next couple of years. If market conditions remain favorable, this could be the beginning of a new era for the company, allowing it to further scale its operations and solidify its position as a market leader.

However, like any business aiming for an IPO, Lenskart must navigate the challenges of the stock market. This includes adjusting to market conditions, handling investor expectations, and ensuring that its financials are in top shape before going public.


The Billion-Dollar Growth Journey

Lenskart’s success is no accident. The company has raised nearly $1 billion in funding over the past 18 months, and it shows. A major boost came in June 2024, when Fidelity Management & Research and Temasek made a $200 million secondary investment, which helped push the company’s valuation to $5 billion.

The investment has played a critical role in supporting Lenskart’s continued growth. The company has used this influx of capital to expand its operations, open new stores, and enhance its technology stack.


What Could Happen Next?

A secondary share sale worth $200-300 million could be on the cards. This sale would likely increase Lenskart’s valuation by 20%, setting the stage for a much larger IPO. If this happens, the company’s valuation could easily top $8 billion, giving it the leverage it needs to compete with global eyewear brands.

Lenskart has also attracted attention from global investors, including major players like KKR, the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, and Kedaara Capital. This institutional backing speaks volumes about the trust these investors place in Lenskart’s business model and growth prospects.


The Numbers Behind Lenskart’s Success

Despite some challenges, Lenskart’s financial performance remains strong, especially considering the tough economic environment. Here are some key numbers from its recent performance:

  • Revenue Growth: Lenskart’s revenue from operations shot up by 43% year-on-year, reaching Rs 5,427 crore for FY24. This growth is largely attributed to the expanding customer base and increased retail presence.
  • Losses Narrowing: While Lenskart did post a loss of Rs 10 crore in FY24, this is a significant improvement compared to the Rs 60 crore loss in FY23. The company is still in expansion mode, focusing on increasing market share rather than profitability in the short term.

The narrowing of losses, combined with strong revenue growth, makes Lenskart an attractive option for investors looking for companies with solid growth potential.


A Global Footprint: Lenskart’s Expansion Beyond India

While Lenskart started as a domestic eyewear brand, it has quickly become a global player. The company now operates more than 2,500 stores worldwide, with about 2,000 stores in India alone. It has also expanded into other Asian markets and made key acquisitions, such as Tango Eye, an AI-based computer vision startup, and a stake in Le Petit Lunetier, a Paris-based eyewear brand.

These acquisitions and strategic moves are helping Lenskart solidify its presence globally and enhance its technological capabilities. As it prepares for its IPO, Lenskart is positioning itself as a global competitor in the eyewear space, not just a national brand.


What Does This Mean for Investors?

For potential investors, Lenskart’s IPO presents an exciting opportunity to be part of a high-growth company in one of India’s most promising sectors—e-commerce and retail. While the company is not yet profitable, its strong revenue growth, solid institutional backing, and global expansion make it a compelling investment choice for those looking to tap into the rapidly growing eyewear market.

Here are a few things investors should keep in mind:

  • Strong Growth Potential: Lenskart’s revenue growth shows that it has a solid market presence and is successfully scaling.
  • Profitability Challenges: Although Lenskart has narrowed its losses, it is still focusing on expanding its customer base, which means profitability may take time.
  • Global Expansion: With its growing footprint in Asia and acquisitions in Europe, Lenskart is setting itself up as a global eyewear giant.

If the IPO goes as planned, Lenskart could be one of the most exciting public offerings in India in the coming years.


Why This IPO Matters for India’s Startup Ecosystem

Lenskart’s IPO is more than just a milestone for the company—it could serve as a game-changer for India’s startup ecosystem. With more and more Indian startups eyeing the stock market, Lenskart’s success could pave the way for others to follow suit, particularly in the e-commerce and tech-driven sectors.

An IPO of this scale would bring increased attention to India’s high-potential startups, opening doors for other companies to raise funds and grow rapidly. Lenskart’s public listing could also inspire greater investor confidence in India’s emerging digital economy.


The Final Takeaway: Lenskart’s IPO Could Change the Game

Lenskart’s journey to going public is one filled with impressive growth, strategic investments, and a bold vision for the future. If the IPO goes ahead as planned, it could be one of the largest public offerings in India’s history, placing the company among the country’s biggest and most successful startups.

For Peyush Bansal, the visionary behind Lenskart, this is just the beginning. The IPO is a major step toward solidifying Lenskart’s position as a global leader in the eyewear market. With strong backing from investors and a solid business model, Lenskart is well on its way to changing the way the world sees eyewear—and the way investors view India’s startup ecosystem.


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