The optical goods retail industry in the US includes a wide array of businesses that provide eyewear, contact lenses, and optical services. Major players range from high-street retailers to health-focused chains and online sellers, catering to various consumer needs and preferences. In recent years, the industry has witnessed a surge in digital innovation, with many retailers enhancing their online shopping experiences and using advanced technology for virtual fittings. The shift towards sustainability affects how companies source materials, as customer demand for eco-friendly options grows. With vision-related health concerns on the rise, growth prospects remain bright for this sector.


The list of top investors features various types, including venture capital and private equity firms, based soley in the United States. They include prominent names like Intel Capital, KKR, and Goldman Sachs, showcasing a mix of locally and nationally based firms. Founded between 1976 and 2023, these investors have a strong presence, with collective investments reaching into the hundreds. Each of them has engaged in numerous deals in 2024, revealing a vibrant intersection of ambition and opportunity within the optical goods market, as these firms position themselves for ongoing developments in the industry.


Top 13 Optical Goods Retail Investors in the US


1. Kkr

  • Website: kkr.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: New York, New York, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1976
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 74
  • LinkedIn: kkr

KKR & Co. Inc. is a prominent investment firm based in New York, specializing in private equity, credit, infrastructure, and real estate. Founded in 1976, KKR has established itself as a global leader in asset management, providing tailored investment solutions to institutional and individual clients. In the optical goods retail sector, KKR has made significant strides, acquiring National Vision Inc., the fourth-largest optical company in the US, in a deal exceeding $1 billion. They also acquired Dutch eyewear group Nexeye, facilitating its expansion into new markets, and 1-800 Contacts for over $3.1 billion. Additionally, KKR has invested in Lenskart and led a seed funding round for Neso Brands, which focuses on acquiring and scaling eyewear brands. These transactions highlight KKR's strategic focus and expertise in the optical retail industry.


2. 500 Global

  • Website: 500.co
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2010
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Number of deals in 2024: 98
  • LinkedIn: 500-startups

500 Global is a venture capital firm and startup accelerator based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2010. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage technology companies, providing funding, mentorship, and resources to help founders scale their businesses. In 2024, 500 Global has made 98 investments, showcasing their active role in the venture capital landscape. Notably, they have invested in Eyewa, a prominent player in the optical goods retail sector, contributing $7.5 million in a Series A round in April 2019 and $1.1 million in a Seed round in January 2018. This involvement highlights their interest in the optical goods market, alongside their broader focus on innovative startups across various industries.


3. Y Combinator

  • Website: ycombinator.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2005
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 802
  • LinkedIn: y-combinator

Y Combinator is a prominent startup accelerator and venture capital firm based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2005. It provides funding and mentorship to early-stage technology companies through a structured program that aids entrepreneurs in launching and growing their businesses. Y Combinator has successfully launched over 4,000 startups, making it a key player in the technology startup ecosystem. Among its diverse portfolio, Y Combinator has invested in several companies within the optical goods retail sector, including SpecCheck, which raised $3.7 million in seed funding in 2023, and Spect, which raised $1.56 million in 2017. These investments highlight Y Combinator's engagement in the optical goods market, showcasing its role in supporting innovative solutions in this industry.


4. Intel Capital

  • Website: intelcapital.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Santa Clara, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1991
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 23
  • LinkedIn: intelcapital

Intel Capital is a venture capital firm based in Santa Clara, California, founded in 1991. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage technology companies, with a focus on areas such as AI, cloud computing, and semiconductor technologies. In addition to these core areas, Intel Capital has made significant investments in optical technologies, including CyOptics, which raised $57 million in Series B funding in 2000, and OrCam Technologies, which raised $15 million in a venture round in 2014. More recently, Intel Capital participated in a $30 million Series B funding round for Metalenz, a startup that develops high-performance 3D sensing solutions using metasurface optics, which is relevant to consumer electronics and automotive markets. These transactions highlight Intel Capital's strategic support for companies that are innovating in the optical technology space, aligning with the interests of the optical goods retail sector.


5. New Enterprise Associates (NEA)

  • Website: nea.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Menlo Park, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1977
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 57
  • LinkedIn: new-enterprise-associates

New Enterprise Associates (NEA) is a venture capital firm founded in 1977, based in Menlo Park, California. NEA specializes in investment management and advisory services for startups, particularly in the technology and healthcare sectors. They partner with entrepreneurs to provide funding and strategic guidance, emphasizing long-term relationships with founders. Notably, NEA has invested in Pair Eyewear, a customizable eyewear brand, participating in their Series B and Series C funding rounds, which raised a total of $135 million. This investment highlights NEA's engagement in the optical goods retail industry, showcasing their ability to identify and support innovative companies in this space.


6. L Catterton

  • Website: lcatterton.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1989
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Number of deals in 2024: 23
  • LinkedIn: l-catterton

L Catterton is a private equity firm founded in 1989, specializing in investment management with a focus on consumer brands across various sectors. The firm partners with middle market companies and high-growth enterprises, providing capital and strategic guidance to enhance brand equity and market presence. L Catterton has a strong emphasis on consumer insights, aiming to drive growth and innovation within its portfolio companies. In the optical goods retail context, L Catterton has made significant investments, including in Ben & Frank, a Mexico City-based direct-to-consumer eyewear brand, which received additional funding in 2023 to accelerate its growth in Latin America. Additionally, L Catterton invested in Gentle Monster, a prominent South Korean eyewear brand, in 2017, supporting its expansion into Europe and the Middle East. These transactions highlight L Catterton's active role in the optical goods retail industry, reinforcing its commitment to this sector.


7. Advent


Advent International Corporation is a private equity firm founded in 1984, based in Boston, Massachusetts. The firm specializes in buyouts and investments across various sectors, focusing on long-term value creation for its portfolio companies. Advent has been involved in several notable transactions, including the acquisition of Vision Express Group in 1994, which is a significant player in the optical retail industry. Additionally, they have invested in Redfern Integrated Optics, which, while not a retail company, operates within the optical sector, indicating their engagement with optical technologies. Advent's diverse portfolio and strategic approach position them as a valuable partner for companies in the optical goods retail market.


8. Tiger Global

  • Website: tigerglobal.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: New York, New York, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2001
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 25
  • LinkedIn: tiger-global-management

Tiger Global Management, LLC is a New York-based investment firm founded in 2001, specializing in public and private equity investments. With approximately $50 billion under management, the firm caters to institutional investors and high-net-worth individuals seeking expert investment management and advisory services. Notably, Tiger Global has been actively involved in the optical goods retail sector through its investments in Warby Parker, a leading eyewear retailer. The firm participated in multiple funding rounds for Warby Parker, including a $12 million Series A in 2011, a $36.8 million Series B in 2012, a $60 million Series C in 2013, and a $100 million Series D in 2015. These investments highlight Tiger Global's commitment to innovative companies in the optical goods space, making it a relevant player in this industry.


9. Deep Tech Fund (an Alumni Ventures Fund)

  • Website: av.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Manchester, New Hampshire, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2023
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 258
  • LinkedIn: deep-tech-fund-av-focused-fund

Deep Tech Fund (an Alumni Ventures Fund) is a venture capital firm based in Manchester, New Hampshire, founded in 2023. It provides accredited investors and institutions with access to professionally-managed, diversified venture portfolios, leveraging a network of over 10,000 investors to connect them with high-quality investment opportunities in the startup ecosystem. The fund has been involved in significant transactions in the optical goods retail sector, including a Series D investment in Lentesplus, which raised $5.2 million in March 2020, and a Series C investment in Pair Eyewear, which raised $1 million in May 2023. These investments highlight the fund's engagement with innovative companies in the optical goods market, reinforcing its relevance in this industry.


10. Sosv

  • Website: sosv.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1995
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 170
  • LinkedIn: sosv

SOSV is a venture capital firm founded in 1995, based in the United States, that specializes in funding and supporting deep tech startups through its development programs. The firm provides venture capital investment and resources to help startups grow and succeed in various sectors, including health and climate technology. Notably, SOSV has been involved in several funding rounds for ClearDekho, an eyewear brand, including a Seed Round in 2020, another Seed Round in 2021, and a Series A round in 2022, showcasing their commitment to the optical goods retail sector. Additionally, they participated in a pre-Series A investment round for ClearDekho in 2018, further solidifying their role as an investor in the optical goods market. SOSV operates globally, connecting innovative companies with investors, and their involvement in the optical goods industry highlights their diverse investment strategy.


11. Luminate Accelerator

  • Website: luminate.org
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Rochester, New York, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2017
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 16
  • LinkedIn: luminateoptics

Luminate Accelerator is a not-for-profit startup accelerator and investment fund based in Rochester, NY, founded in 2017. It specializes in supporting early-stage companies in the optics, photonics, and imaging sectors by providing funding, mentorship, and access to valuable resources. Luminate connects startups with industry experts and investors to help them commercialize their technologies and succeed in the market. Notably, Luminate has been involved in several relevant transactions, including investments in Momentum Optics, which raised $100,000 in a convertible note, and 2Eyes Vision, which secured $819,802 in a funding round. These transactions highlight Luminate's active role in the optical goods sector, reinforcing its commitment to fostering innovation and growth in this industry.


12. Goldman Sachs

  • Website: goldmansachs.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: New York, New York, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1998
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 59
  • LinkedIn: goldman-sachs

Goldman Sachs is a prominent investment bank and financial services firm based in New York, New York, founded in 1998. The firm provides a wide range of services including investment banking, asset management, and wealth management, catering to a diverse clientele that includes corporations, financial institutions, and individuals. Notably, Goldman Sachs has made significant investments in the optical goods retail sector, including a $40 million funding round for Mister Spex, which aims to enhance its market position and expand its operations across Europe. Additionally, Goldman Sachs acquired Capital Vision Services for approximately $2.7 billion, which includes MyEyeDr., a company that manages optometry practices and has seen substantial growth since 2015. These transactions highlight Goldman Sachs' strategic interest in the optical goods retail market, showcasing their capability to support and scale businesses within this industry.


13. Plug and Play Tech Center


Plug and Play Tech Center is an innovation hub and venture capital firm based in Sunnyvale, California, founded in 2006. They connect startups with corporations to foster growth and innovation, offering various programs including accelerator initiatives and investment opportunities. In 2022, they participated in funding rounds for XP Health, a digital vision benefits platform, and OKKO Health, which focuses on health technology related to vision. These investments highlight their engagement in the optical goods retail sector, alongside their broader focus on technology and retail innovation.



Optical Goods Retail Insights: Key Investors in the US


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
KkrNew York, New York, United States (USA)1001-5000197674
500 GlobalSan Francisco, California, United States (USA)201-500201098
Y CombinatorSan Francisco, California, United States (USA)51-2002005802
Intel CapitalSanta Clara, California, United States (USA)11-50199123
New Enterprise Associates (NEA)Menlo Park, California, United States (USA)51-200197757
L CattertonUnited States (USA)201-500198923
AdventBoston, Massachusetts, United States (USA)501-1000198417
Tiger GlobalNew York, New York, United States (USA)51-200200125
Deep Tech Fund (an Alumni Ventures Fund)Manchester, New Hampshire, United States (USA)51-2002023258
SosvUnited States (USA)51-2001995170
Luminate AcceleratorRochester, New York, United States (USA)1-10201716
Goldman SachsNew York, New York, United States (USA)10001+199859
Plug and Play Tech CenterSunnyvale, California, United States (USA)501-10002006253


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