Lenskart, India’s popular eyewear brand, is preparing for a massive stock market debut. The company is reportedly working on an Initial Public Offering (IPO) worth $1 billion. According to sources, investment banks like Kotak Mahindra and Morgan Stanley have been roped in to lead the process. The IPO could value the company at a whopping $8 billion. However, final decisions are still being made, and details might change.
Big Plans for a Market Boom
The Indian IPO market is buzzing right now. Lenskart isn’t the only startup planning to go public in 2025. Over 25 companies, including Zepto, Infra.Market, and AI firm Fractal, are also eyeing stock market debuts. Many of these companies are aiming to raise around $500 million. But a few big players, like Zetwerk, OfBusiness, and Pine Labs, could follow Lenskart’s footsteps by targeting billion-dollar IPOs.
Lenskart’s Journey from Startup to Industry Leader
Founded in 2010 by Peyush Bansal, Lenskart started as an online eyewear retailer. Over the years, it expanded into offline stores, offering a mix of affordable and premium products. Today, the company boasts a strong presence across India and international markets like Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
Lenskart has won the backing of major global investors. SoftBank Group, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, KKR & Co., Temasek Holdings, and PremjiInvest have all poured funds into the brand. Their support has helped Lenskart grow rapidly and dominate the eyewear industry.
Financial Performance: A Profitable Past, a Rocky Present
While Lenskart was profitable in previous years, it posted a loss of around ₹10 crore in the financial year 2023-24. This was despite generating a massive ₹5,427 crore in revenue. The dip in profits could be due to heavy expansion costs and investments in new markets. Still, the brand remains a favorite among investors, and its upcoming IPO is expected to generate strong interest.
A New CFO to Steer the IPO Plans
To prepare for the public listing, Lenskart recently brought in Abhishek Gupta as its Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Gupta, who previously held the same position at OYO, is expected to play a key role in navigating Lenskart’s transition to a publicly traded company.
A Big Moment for Indian Startups
If Lenskart’s IPO goes as planned, it will join other big names like Swiggy, Zomato, and Paytm in the stock market. 2024 saw 13 startups, including Ola Electric and FirstCry, successfully go public, raising a combined total of over ₹29,000 crore ($3.4 billion). The trend is expected to continue in 2025, making it a landmark year for startup IPOs in India.
What’s Next for Lenskart?
While the IPO timeline hasn’t been officially confirmed, industry experts believe it could happen later this year. More banks might join the process as underwriters, and the final valuation may shift based on market conditions. Investors and customers will be closely watching how Lenskart positions itself in the competitive stock market.
For now, the company remains focused on growth, expanding its global footprint, and improving its financials. Whether Lenskart’s stock market journey turns into a success story will be something to watch in the months ahead.
