Peyush Bansal's Lenskart Raises ₹100 Crore From SBI Mutual Fund Ahead of IPO at $7.7 Billion Valuation

Indian eyewear retailer Lenskart has secured an investment of INR 100 crore from SBI Mutual Fund in a pre-IPO transaction. The investment comes via SBI’s Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs), namely the SBI Optimal Equity Fund and SBI Emergent Fund.

Transaction specifics

• The INR 100 crore investment was made at a share transfer price of INR 402 per equity share.
• At this pricing, Lenskart’s valuation works out to around $7.7 billion (roughly INR 67,000-70,000 crore) in the eyes of investors.
• The funds were raised ahead of Lenskart’s initial public offering (IPO), signalling investor confidence in the company’s public-listing plans.

Why this investment matters

• The investment by SBI Mutual Fund adds a strong domestic institutional vote of confidence for Lenskart’s growth story and the upcoming IPO.
• A valuation in the multibillion-dollar range reflects bullish sentiment about Lenskart’s future, including its combined online-offline model, store expansion and brand strength.
• Pre-IPO rounds like this often help set the tone for the public listing, potentially influencing institutional demand and pricing metrics.

Key background on Lenskart

• Founded in 2010, Lenskart has grown from an online eyewear retailer to a major omni-channel player in India with both e-commerce and physical stores.
• The company has already turned profitable: for Q1 FY26 it posted a net profit of around INR 61 crore against a loss in the prior year, and revenue jumped 25 % to INR 1,894.5 crore.
• Its IPO is set to open on 31 October and close on 4 November 2025.

What’s next

• The funds raised will likely support Lenskart’s expansion of physical stores, technology upgrades, marketing and possibly acquisitions — all key parts of its growth plan.
• With the IPO approaching, investors will watch the subscription numbers, listing gains and whether the lofty valuation holds under public scrutiny.

Final Thoughts

Lenskart’s securing of INR 100 crore from SBI Mutual Fund ahead of its IPO signals strong institutional backing and optimism about its future. But with a high valuation and an important public market debut soon, the coming weeks will be critical in proving the company can meet investor expectations.

Lenskart IPO Price Band Fixed at INR 382–INR 402 Per Share

Lenskart IPO opens Oct 31–Nov 4 at a price band of INR 382–402 per share. Learn about issue size, lot size, key investors, and fund utilization.

StartupTalky- Business News, Insights and StoriesNitin Konde