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Lenskart Acquires Japan’s Owndays to Form Asian Eyewear Giant!
Indian eyewear retailer Lenskart has announced its acquisition of a majority stake in Japan’s Owndays Inc., marking a significant step toward creating one of Asia’s largest online eyewear retailers. Supported by SoftBank Group, Lenskart has finalized a deal to purchase shares of Owndays from major stakeholders L Catterton Asia and Mitsui & Co. Principal Investments.
Deal Overview
The acquisition is valued at approximately $400 million, according to Bloomberg, and positions Owndays to operate as a premium eyewear brand while Lenskart continues to focus on the middle and mass market segments. Although Lenskart will hold a majority stake, the acquisition is structured as a merger, allowing Owndays to maintain its independent operations under the leadership of co-founders Shuji Tanaka and Take Umiyama.
Expansion of Market Reach
This strategic acquisition expands Lenskart’s footprint to 13 Asian markets, including Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Japan. Founded in 1989, Owndays has been a pioneer in eyewear retail, launching its first overseas stores in 2013. Today, it operates 460 outlets across various countries in addition to Japan.
Market Potential
Lenskart’s co-founder and CEO, Peyush Bansal, emphasized the vast untapped potential in the eyewear market, stating, “About 4.5 billion people worldwide need prescription glasses, but only half of them have access. This represents a $50 billion to $100 billion opportunity and a chance to build an Amazon for eyewear.” This statement underscores Lenskart’s vision of democratizing access to eyewear products.
Financial Projections
With this acquisition, Lenskart and Owndays project combined sales of $650 million for the fiscal year ending March 2023. Lenskart alone is expected to reach profitability at $400 million in sales within the same period. Founded in 2010, Lenskart has rapidly grown into India’s leading e-commerce portal for eyewear, achieving a remarkable 65% growth rate last year and projecting even higher numbers this year.
Strategic Vision
This partnership solidifies Lenskart’s position as a leader in the global eyewear market by combining innovative retail strategies with a strong regional presence. The merger allows Lenskart to leverage Owndays’ established brand reputation and operational expertise while expanding its product offerings into the premium segment.
Lenskart has also been focusing on enhancing its technological capabilities, investing in digital transformation initiatives aimed at improving customer experiences across both brands. The acquisition aligns with Lenskart’s broader strategy of integrating advanced technology into its operations, which includes plans for supply chain automation and enhanced online services.
Future Outlook
As Lenskart continues its expansion across Asia, this acquisition not only strengthens its market position but also opens up new avenues for growth in an increasingly competitive landscape. By merging with Owndays, Lenskart aims to redefine the eyewear shopping experience for consumers across diverse markets while addressing the significant unmet demand for quality eyewear solutions.
In conclusion, this strategic move positions Lenskart as a formidable player in the Asian eyewear market, poised to capitalize on emerging opportunities while delivering value to customers through enhanced product offerings and services.
Rozana, India’s leading rural retail platform, has secured ₹290 crore ($35 million) in a Series B funding round led by Bertelsmann India Investments (BII), with participation from Omidyar Network India, Vivid Capital, and Tana Investment Holding. This Rozana funding brings its total capital to over ₹500 crore, fueling hyperlocal expansion in underserved rural markets. Founded in 2021 by brothers Prashant and Prateek Chauhan, the startup’s phygital model blends micro-stores, app-based ordering, and last-mile delivery to connect 5 million+ users in 12 states with brands like ITC and HUL.
The ₹290 crore investment will supercharge Rozana’s rural omnichannel retail strategy, targeting 5x growth in 18 months. Plans include adding 5,000 micro-stores in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Rajasthan; AI-powered inventory tech; and new categories like groceries and electronics. By empowering 20,000+ rural micro-entrepreneurs, Rozana taps into India’s $700 billion rural retail boom, where smartphone penetration and UPI drive 12% annual growth.
This Rozana Series B milestone positions it as a frontrunner against rivals like Ninjacart, eyeing unicorn status by 2028 amid ONDC tailwinds. CEO Prashant Chauhan emphasized, “We’re building rural prosperity through accessible premium brands.” For more on Rozana funding news and rural retail trends, stay updated on India’s startup ecosystem.
Peak XV Partners has launched three new funds totaling $1.3 billion, targeting India’s booming startup ecosystem. The lineup features the $600M Surge fund (8th edition) for early-stage ventures, a $300M Growth Fund for Series B+ scaling, and a $400M Acceleration Fund for rapid portfolio expansion. This commitment arrives as India’s VC inflows rebound, with AI and fintech leading 2026 trends.
These funds build on Peak XV’s legacy of backing unicorns like Zomato and Pine Labs, offering founders capital plus strategic guidance amid post-winter recovery. Early-stage deals surged 20% last year per Tracxn, positioning Peak XV to fuel the next wave of innovation in SaaS, climate tech, and consumer plays.
For startups eyeing Peak XV new funds or Surge fund 2026 applications, this signals prime opportunities. Investors and marketers should watch for deployment updates India remains a global VC hotspot.
Hyderabad, January 13, 2026 Neeman’s, India’s leading D2C footwear brand famed for sustainable shoes and patented PIXLL® technology, has raised $4 million from existing investors. This funding boosts its cumulative capital past $10 million since 2015, with a post-money valuation nearing $50 million. CEO Vijay Chahoria emphasized offline retail as the “next frontier,” planning 50+ new stores in Tier 2/3 cities like Jaipur and Lucknow to blend eco-friendly innovation with hands-on customer experiences.
In India’s booming D2C ecosystem where footwear sales hit ₹1.2 lakh crore in 2025 Neeman’s targets hybrid retail amid high online CAC and 25-30% returns. Backed by vegan, machine-washable shoes priced ₹2,000-4,000, the brand leverages PIXLL® (5x more breathable than leather) for carbon-neutral comfort. Recent 5x revenue growth to ₹100 crore ARR, 1M+ pairs sold via Myntra and stores, and awards at India D2C Summit 2025 position it ahead of rivals like Paaduks.
Neeman’s offline expansion India eyes the $15B sustainable footwear market by 2028, fueled by PLI schemes, Gen Z’s 70% eco-preference (Nielsen), and Southeast Asia exports. Challenges like real estate costs are offset by data-driven inventory and omnichannel QR tech. Watch for Q1 2026 launches in Hyderabad and Bengaluru redefining D2C success through authentic, “Wear the Change” branding.
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