Lenskart, the omnichannel eyewear retail giant, is gearing up for a significant financial move ahead of its anticipated initial public offering (IPO). According to reports, the company’s cofounder and CEO Peyush Bansal is in advanced discussions to buy back 1.5% to 2% stake in Lenskart from existing investors. The proposed transaction is reportedly valued at around $150 million (over INR 1,280 crore), pegging Lenskart’s valuation between $7 billion and $8 billion.
This strategic buyback could pave the way for Lenskart’s IPO filing with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), which is expected to follow within the next four to six weeks, as per the report.
Key Investors May Exit
The potential sellers in this secondary transaction include prominent investors such as TR Capital, SoftBank, Chiratae Ventures, and Kedaara Capital. These early-stage and growth investors are expected to partially or fully offload their holdings to enable Peyush Bansal to increase his stake ahead of the IPO.
The move reflects strong founder confidence in the company’s future and is often viewed positively in public market sentiment, especially when a CEO demonstrates long-term commitment by buying back shares at a high valuation.
A Step Closer to Lenskart’s IPO
Following this stake acquisition, Lenskart is likely to file its draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) with SEBI, signaling the beginning of its journey towards becoming a publicly listed company. The eyewear company has been a standout performer in India’s consumer tech space and a pioneer in combining online and offline retail experiences in the optical segment.
Industry watchers believe the IPO could be one of the most anticipated listings from India’s startup ecosystem, considering Lenskart’s growth, brand recall, and profitability metrics.
Lenskart’s Omnichannel Growth Story
Founded in 2010 by Peyush Bansal, Amit Chaudhury, and Sumeet Kapahi, Lenskart has revolutionized the eyewear industry in India through a seamless integration of digital and physical retail channels. The company serves over 2 crore customers and operates more than 2,500 stores across India, the UAE, Singapore, and Japan.
Lenskart offers an extensive product lineup including prescription glasses, sunglasses, contact lenses, and eye-testing services, supported by AI-powered virtual try-ons and a strong home service model. This omnichannel strategy has helped it dominate both urban and Tier 2–3 markets.
What This Means for Investors
For retail and institutional investors tracking the Indian IPO space, Lenskart’s upcoming offering could be a major event. The eyewear segment, previously fragmented and underserved, now presents a huge addressable market—particularly with rising digital penetration and healthcare awareness.
If the buyback and subsequent IPO go as planned, Lenskart could set a benchmark in the direct-to-consumer (D2C) space for other omnichannel and tech-enabled brands preparing for public markets.
Conclusion
As Peyush Bansal looks to consolidate his stake in Lenskart with a $150 million buyback, the company is inching closer to its much-awaited IPO. With strong fundamentals, international presence, and a visionary founder at the helm, Lenskart is poised to make a big splash in India’s capital markets.
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