The spectacle lens manufacturing industry in Europe focuses on producing corrective and protective eyewear, including prescription lenses and sunglasses. Companies in this sector range from established giants like EssilorLuxottica to innovative startups that aim to revolutionize vision care technology. As consumer demand grows for customized and high-quality lenses, manufacturers are integrating advanced materials and digital technologies. The industry's future looks promising, with trends pointing towards sustainable practices and personalized lenses through digital processing. Additionally, the growth of telemedicine and online eyewear sales is shaping the market dynamics and extending reach to a broader audience.


This article highlights 15 prominent investors in the spectacle lens manufacturing sector within Europe. Comprising private equity firms, venture capital investors, and corporations, these stakeholders vary in size, from smaller entities employing 50 individuals to multinationals with over 10,000 employees. Founded between 1945 and 2018, they reflect a rich history in investment. Notably, they executed numerous deals last year, showcasing their active interest in the evolving eyewear industry. Localities stretch from London to Stockholm and beyond, bringing together insights and capital from across the continent.


Top 15 Spectacle Lens Manufacturing Investors in Europe


1. Essilor Group

  • Website: essilor.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Charenton-Le-Pont, Île-De-France, France
  • Founded year: 1972
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: essilor

Essilor Group, founded in 1972 and based in Charenton-Le-Pont, Île-De-France, France, is a corporate investor and a leading manufacturer of ophthalmic lenses. The company specializes in the design, production, and sale of various optical products aimed at enhancing vision and protecting against harmful light. Essilor serves both consumers and eyecare professionals, providing innovative solutions for vision correction and eye health. Notable transactions include the acquisition of Luxottica Group SpA for $24 billion in 2017, which significantly expanded their reach in the eyewear market. Additionally, Essilor acquired Transitions Optical for $1.73 billion in 2014, enhancing their portfolio in the photochromic lens category. Other relevant acquisitions include Omega Optix and Lens & Spects, further solidifying their position in the spectacle lens manufacturing industry. Through these strategic investments, Essilor continues to lead in the optical sector, focusing on innovation and growth in vision care.


2. European Innovation Council (EIC)


The European Innovation Council (EIC) is a public entity based in Brussels, Belgium, established to support innovation and entrepreneurship across Europe. It offers various funding programs, including the EIC Accelerator and EIC Pathfinder, aimed at helping startups and SMEs develop and scale their technologies. The EIC also provides business acceleration services, networking opportunities, and prizes to foster innovation in diverse sectors. Notably, the EIC has been involved in funding transactions relevant to the spectacle lens manufacturing context, such as its investment in NIL Technology ApS, a company specializing in advanced optical solutions. NIL Technology raised significant funding rounds, including a $31 million Series B round and several grants, which highlight the EIC's commitment to supporting companies that could impact the optical and spectacle lens manufacturing industries.


3. EssilorLuxottica


EssilorLuxottica is a prominent corporate investor based in Paris, Île-De-France, France, founded in 2018. The company is a leader in the eyecare and eyewear industry, focusing on the design, manufacture, and distribution of ophthalmic lenses, prescription glasses, and sunglasses. With over 10,000 employees, EssilorLuxottica has made significant investments to expand its market presence. Notable transactions include the acquisition of GrandVision for €7.1 billion, which added over 7,200 stores and approximately €3.7 billion in annual revenues to their optical retail platform in Europe. Additionally, they acquired Walman Optical, a U.S.-based lab network, enhancing their lens manufacturing capabilities. Their acquisition of Salmoiraghi & Viganò, an Italian optician chain, further demonstrates their commitment to the optical retail space. Most recently, they acquired Heidelberg Engineering, indicating ongoing investment in the eyecare sector. These transactions highlight EssilorLuxottica's strategic focus on expanding its footprint in the spectacle lens manufacturing and retail industry.


4. Crowdcube

  • Website: crowdcube.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 2010
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: crowdcube-limited

Crowdcube is a London-based crowdfunding platform founded in 2010 that enables businesses to raise capital through equity investments. It connects startups and SMEs with potential investors, facilitating the funding process. Crowdcube promotes diversity and inclusion within its workforce while providing investment management services to its clients. Notably, Crowdcube has been involved in several relevant transactions in the spectacle lens manufacturing context, including Cambridge Spectacle Co., which raised $249,293 in September 2022, and Coral Eyewear, which raised $333,520 in June 2023. Additionally, Crowdcube supported SunGod, a performance sunglasses startup, which raised significant funds in multiple rounds, showcasing its active role in the eyewear sector.


5. 3i Group plc

  • Website: 3i.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 1945
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: 3i-group-plc

3i Group plc is a London-based private equity and infrastructure investment firm founded in 1945. The firm specializes in providing capital and expertise to mid-market companies, helping them achieve sustainable growth. With a diverse portfolio and a strong international presence, 3i Group aims to create value for its stakeholders through strategic investments. Notably, 3i Group has made significant investments in the optical sector, including the acquisition of Hans Anders, a leading optical retailer in the Benelux region, for €200 million in 2017. Additionally, they invested in Óticas Carol, a Brazilian eyewear retailer, to support its expansion plans. These transactions highlight 3i Group's commitment to the optical market, which encompasses spectacle lens manufacturing.


6. EQT Group

  • Website: eqtgroup.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Founded year: 1994
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 30
  • LinkedIn: eqt-partners

EQT Group is a prominent investment firm based in Stockholm, Sweden, specializing in private equity, infrastructure, real estate, growth equity, and venture capital. Founded in 1994, EQT serves institutional investors by providing expertise in managing diverse investment portfolios across multiple sectors and geographies. Among its notable transactions, EQT acquired Carl Zeiss Vision in 2005, a key player in the spectacle lens industry, and Sola International, an eyeglass lens manufacturer, in a deal valued at approximately $1.1 billion. These acquisitions highlight EQT's strategic focus on the optics and spectacle lens manufacturing sectors, alongside its broader investment activities.


7. Bgf

  • Website: bgf.co.uk
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 2011
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 53
  • LinkedIn: bgfinvestments

BGF Investment Management Limited is a venture capital firm founded in 2011, based in London, England. The firm specializes in providing growth funding and value creation support to small and mid-sized businesses in the UK and Ireland. BGF addresses the funding gap in the market by making minority investments and offering extensive support services to help businesses scale. Notably, BGF has invested in companies such as Bayfields Opticians & Audiologists, which operates in the optical sector, securing a £12m investment to support its growth strategy. This investment highlights BGF's engagement with businesses that are relevant to the spectacle lens manufacturing industry. Additionally, BGF has been involved in various other transactions, including investments in technology firms like M Squared Lasers, which, while not directly related to spectacle lenses, showcases BGF's diverse investment portfolio and capability to support innovative companies.


8. Halma plc

  • Website: halma.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Amersham, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 1894
  • Headcount: 5001-10000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 5
  • LinkedIn: halma-plc

Halma plc is a technology company based in Amersham, England, founded in 1894. It operates primarily in the safety, environmental analysis, and healthcare sectors, providing innovative solutions that enhance safety and operational efficiency. Halma has made significant acquisitions in the optical and healthcare fields, including Medicel AG, a manufacturer of optical devices, and Visiometrics, an objective refraction specialist. These acquisitions, along with others like Accutome, Inc. and Microsurgical Technology, Inc., which focus on ophthalmic surgical products, highlight Halma's strategic interest in the spectacle lens manufacturing and vision care markets. Through these investments, Halma aims to leverage trends related to an ageing population and the increasing demand for advanced optical technologies.


9. Lvmh

  • Website: lvmh.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Paris, Île-De-France, France
  • Founded year: 1987
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 11
  • LinkedIn: lvmh

LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE is a luxury goods manufacturer and retailer based in Paris, France. Founded in 1987, LVMH operates across various sectors, including fashion, leather goods, wines, spirits, perfumes, cosmetics, watches, and jewelry. The company serves affluent consumers and businesses, providing exclusive brands that embody craftsmanship and heritage. Recently, LVMH expanded its portfolio by acquiring Barton Perreira, an eyewear brand, for approximately $80 million on November 6, 2023. This acquisition aims to enhance LVMH's offerings in the eyewear sector and expand Barton Perreira's presence in European and Asian markets. This move highlights LVMH's strategic interest in the eyewear industry, which is closely related to spectacle lens manufacturing.


10. Alcon

  • Website: alcon.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 1945
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: alcon

Alcon is a corporate investor based in Geneva, Switzerland, founded in 1945. The company specializes in eye care, offering a wide range of innovative vision products and surgical solutions. Alcon's portfolio includes contact lenses, eye care solutions, and surgical instruments aimed at treating various eye diseases. They have made significant investments in companies that enhance their capabilities in the eye care market. Notably, Alcon has acquired several companies relevant to spectacle lens manufacturing, including LensX Lasers, which focuses on laser technology for eye surgeries, and WaveLight, which is involved in refractive surgery technologies. These acquisitions demonstrate Alcon's commitment to advancing vision correction solutions, making them a key player in the spectacle lens manufacturing industry.


11. Supernova Invest

  • Website: supernovainvest.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Paris, Île-De-France, France
  • Founded year: 2017
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 12
  • LinkedIn: supernova-invest

Supernova Invest is a venture capital firm based in Paris, Île-De-France, France, founded in 2017. The firm specializes in deeptech investments, providing funding and strategic guidance to startups across various sectors, including healthcare, cleantech, and digital technologies. Supernova Invest emphasizes ESG principles and innovation, helping entrepreneurs navigate the complexities of scaling their businesses. Notably, they participated in the Series B financing of Allotex, which is developing technology for treating refractive errors, a key area in spectacle lens manufacturing. Their investment in Allotex highlights their engagement in the optics sector, alongside other transactions in deeptech and healthcare, reinforcing their commitment to supporting advancements that could impact the spectacle lens industry.


12. ZEISS Group

  • Website: zeiss.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Oberkochen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
  • Founded year: 1846
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 4
  • LinkedIn: zeiss

The ZEISS Group, founded in 1846 and based in Oberkochen, Germany, is a leading technology enterprise specializing in optics and optoelectronics. With a workforce of over 10,000 employees, ZEISS offers a diverse range of products, including medical technology solutions, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, and high-quality optical systems for consumers and businesses. Notably, ZEISS has made significant strides in the spectacle lens manufacturing industry, exemplified by its acquisition of Sola International, an eyeglass lens maker, in 2005. This strategic move not only enhanced ZEISS's portfolio in the optical sector but also underscored its commitment to innovation and sustainability. Furthermore, ZEISS has continued to expand its capabilities through various acquisitions, including Aaren Scientific, which bolstered its offerings for ophthalmic surgeons, and investments in companies like Morrow Optics and CREAL, which focus on advanced optical technologies. These transactions reflect ZEISS's ongoing dedication to enhancing its capabilities and experiences across diverse industries, including spectacle lens manufacturing.


13. Ardian

  • Website: ardian.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Paris, Île-De-France, France
  • Founded year: 1996
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 21
  • LinkedIn: ardian

Ardian is a prominent investment management firm based in Paris, specializing in private equity, real assets, and credit solutions. Founded in 1996, Ardian has established a global presence and focuses on sustainable finance, aiming to create lasting value for its clients. Notably, Ardian has made significant investments in the eye care sector, including the acquisition of SCHWIND eye-tech-solutions, a leader in laser systems for treating refractive errors, and Vista Vision Group, which provides high-level healthcare services in eye surgery. These strategic investments highlight Ardian's commitment to the eye care industry, positioning it as a relevant player in the spectacle lens manufacturing space.


14. Jsc Rusnano

  • Website: rusnano.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Moscow, Moscow, Russia
  • Founded year: 2007
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • LinkedIn: rusnano

Jsc Rusnano is a venture capital firm based in Moscow, Russia, founded in 2007. The firm specializes in advancing nanotechnology and high-tech industries, investing in innovative projects across various sectors, including healthcare and renewable energy. Rusnano collaborates with businesses and research institutions to foster growth in these fields. Among its notable transactions, Rusnano has invested in companies such as Connector Optics and Optic Fiber Systems, both of which are involved in optical technologies. Additionally, the firm invested $40.5 million in Monocrystal, a company that may have applications in optics. These investments highlight Rusnano's engagement in sectors that intersect with spectacle lens manufacturing, making it a potentially relevant investor in this category.


15. Cvc

  • Website: cvc.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Luxembourg
  • Founded year: 2005
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 16
  • LinkedIn: cvc-capital-partners

CVC Capital Partners is a prominent private equity investment firm founded in 2005, based in Luxembourg, managing approximately €193 billion in assets for over 1000 clients, including pension funds and institutional investors. The firm specializes in private equity, credit, secondaries, and infrastructure investments. Notably, CVC has made significant strides in the optical sector, particularly with their acquisition of Synsam Nordic A/S, an optical retailer, which highlights their commitment to enhancing growth in the eyewear market. Additionally, CVC's acquisition of Rayner Surgical Group, while primarily focused on surgical products, also aligns with the broader vision of improving vision care. These transactions reflect CVC's strategic approach to investing in sectors that contribute to sustainable value and growth, including the spectacle lens manufacturing industry.



Spectacle Lens Manufacturing Insights: Key Investors in Europe


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
Essilor GroupCharenton-Le-Pont, Île-De-France, France10001+19721
European Innovation Council (EIC)Brussels, Brussels, Belgium201-500195857
EssilorLuxotticaParis, Île-De-France, France10001+20188
CrowdcubeLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)51-20020103
3i Group plcLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)201-50019453
EQT GroupStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden1001-5000199430
BgfLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)51-200201153
Halma plcAmersham, England, United Kingdom (UK)5001-1000018945
LvmhParis, Île-De-France, France10001+198711
AlconGeneva, Geneva, Switzerland10001+19452
Supernova InvestParis, Île-De-France, France11-50201712
ZEISS GroupOberkochen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany10001+18464
ArdianParis, Île-De-France, France1001-5000199621
Jsc RusnanoMoscow, Moscow, Russia201-50020070
CvcLuxembourg1001-5000200516


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