Lenskart’s Leap to the Public Markets: IPO Plans Signal New Era for Indian Eyewear Giant
With a ₹8,600 crore IPO on the horizon, Lenskart’s transformation into a public limited company marks a pivotal step in its ambition to redefine India’s consumer tech landscape.
Introduction
Lenskart, India’s leading eyewear retailer, has officially become a public limited company—a crucial move as it prepares for a landmark IPO expected to raise around ₹8,600 crore (approximately $1 billion) at a possible $10 billion valuation. This transition not only showcases Lenskart’s growth story but also signals renewed investor confidence in India’s consumer tech sector as more startups eye public listings in 2025.
Lenskart’s Corporate Transformation: Setting the Stage for an IPO
Lenskart’s journey from a startup founded in 2008 to a dominant omnichannel eyewear brand has reached a new milestone. On May 30, 2025, the company’s board and shareholders approved a special resolution to change its name from Lenskart Solutions Private Limited to Lenskart Solutions Limited, officially making it a public limited company. This legal restructuring is a mandatory prerequisite for any company planning to list on Indian stock exchanges.
The move is more than just a formality; it signals Lenskart’s readiness to access public capital and meet the transparency and governance standards required of listed entities. The company is reportedly in advanced discussions with leading investment banks—including Kotak Mahindra Capital, Axis Capital, Citi, Morgan Stanley, and Avendus Capital—to steer its IPO process.
IPO Details: Size, Valuation, and Market Timing
While Lenskart has not yet filed its draft red herring prospectus (DRHP), sources indicate the company is targeting a public issue of over $1 billion (₹8,600 crore), potentially at a $10 billion valuation—double its last funding round. This would make Lenskart’s IPO one of the largest in India’s new-age consumer tech sector this year.
In its most recent significant capital raise in June 2024, the company attracted $200 million from prominent investors Temasek and Fidelity, valuing the firm at $5 billion.Since then, Lenskart’s founders have also injected fresh capital, underscoring their confidence in the business’s prospects.
Market observers expect the IPO to be closely watched, both as a litmus test for investor appetite in consumer tech brands and as a bellwether for other Indian startups contemplating public listings after a prolonged lull in IPO activity.
Financial Performance: Growth and Operational Efficiency
Lenskart’s financials reflect a company on the upswing. In FY2024, operating revenue surged 43% to ₹5,428 cr, with EBITDA more than doubling to ₹856 cr. The company significantly reduced its net loss to ₹10 cr, a notable improvement from the ₹64 crore loss in FY2023, driven by technology-enhanced operational efficiencies.
The company’s annual revenue run rate now stands at $1 billion (₹8,400 crore), and it produces 25 million frames and 30–40 million lenses each year. Lenskart’s physical footprint has expanded to over 2,500 stores across India and Southeast Asia, complemented by a robust online presence. This omnichannel approach has been instrumental in driving both scale and profitability.
Strategic Investments and Expansion
Lenskart’s expansion journey is highlighted by strategic investments and growth plans. In December 2024, Lenskart signed an agreement with the Telangana government to build a new manufacturing plant in Fab City, with an investment of ₹1,500 crore. The project is expected to create around 2,100 employment opportunities and substantially increase the company’s manufacturing capacity.
The company’s ability to attract global investors—including SoftBank, Temasek, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Alpha Wave Global, KKR, Kedaara Capital, and TPG—underscores its strong market positioning and growth potential.
Lenskart and the New IPO Wave
Lenskart’s public listing is part of a broader trend, as several Indian startups—such as PhysicsWallah, Infra.Market, Shiprocket, Zetwerk, Bluestone, and Boat—prepare to tap the public markets. This new wave of IPOs is expected to reshape India’s tech and consumer landscape, offering investors exposure to high-growth, tech-first companies with proven business models.
The success of Lenskart’s IPO could set the tone for future listings, especially for profitable or near-profitable startups looking to raise capital for expansion and innovation.
Conclusion
Lenskart’s conversion to a public limited company and its imminent ₹8,600 crore IPO represent a defining moment for both the company and India’s consumer tech sector. Supported by solid financial performance, a diversified omnichannel strategy, and prominent investor backing, Lenskart is poised to seize the advantages of a public market debut. As it enters the league of Indian startups transitioning to public ownership, Lenskart’s progress will attract keen attention from investors, industry rivals, and emerging entrepreneurs.
The image added is for representation purposes only
