Lenskart’s ₹2,150 Cr IPO Gets the Green Light: Peyush Bansal Bets Bigger Than Ever

India’s eyewear giant Lenskart has officially received shareholder approval to raise ₹2,150 crore through a fresh equity issue, a major step toward launching its initial public offering (IPO). Backed by investors like SoftBank, Temasek, and ChrysCapital, the company is poised to make one of the most high-profile stock market debuts in India’s consumer-tech space.

But what’s grabbing even more attention is the move made by founder and CEO Peyush Bansal, who is reportedly increasing his stake just ahead of the IPO—a bold vote of confidence that could signal strong fundamentals and future growth potential.

The Numbers Behind the Move

According to recent regulatory filings and media reports, Lenskart plans to raise ₹2,150 crore via a fresh issue of shares. While the total IPO size, including an offer-for-sale (OFS), is yet to be finalized, sources suggest the overall raise could approach $1 billion, with a targeted valuation around $10 billion.

This IPO follows a successful growth journey, including recent acquisitions (like Japan-based Owndays) and expansion into Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Lenskart currently serves over 30 million customers and is building a strong omnichannel presence across digital and offline platforms.

Founder Doubles Down Ahead of IPO

Perhaps the most notable development is that Peyush Bansal is reportedly in talks to acquire a 1.5%–2% additional stake in Lenskart before the IPO. Sources say he may finance this through a ₹200 crore loan, purchasing shares from early-stage investors at a valuation of roughly $1 billion—a tenth of the expected IPO valuation.

This pre-IPO insider move is rare and has sparked industry-wide buzz. At a time when many founders cash out during listings, Bansal’s decision to buy in shows an aggressive long-term bet on Lenskart’s upside.

What This Means for India’s Startup Ecosystem

The Lenskart IPO is not just about fundraising—it represents a maturation of India’s D2C (direct-to-consumer) and retail-tech sectors. As one of the few profitable unicorns in India’s startup ecosystem, Lenskart stands out for its hybrid retail model, strong unit economics, and global ambitions.

The IPO could set a precedent for other well-funded Indian startups eyeing public markets, especially in the wake of caution around tech listings post-Zomato, Paytm, and Nykaa.

Key Takeaways

• Lenskart will raise ₹2,150 crore via a fresh issue of shares.

• The total IPO could approach $1 billion in size, targeting a $10 billion valuation.

• Peyush Bansal is increasing his stake pre-IPO—buying shares at a much lower valuation.

• The company is positioning itself as a global D2C powerhouse in eyewear retail.

• This move could shape how investors perceive startup listings in 2025 and beyond.