The optical goods retail industry in the DACH region focuses on selling eyewear, contact lenses, and related products. Companies range from established optical chains to innovative startups, catering to the increasing demand for stylish and functional eyewear. The market is seeing significant growth fueled by advancements in technology, such as tele-optometry and artificial intelligence, enhancing customer experiences. E-commerce continues to transform how consumers shop for eyewear, emphasizing convenience and personalized service. With an emphasis on sustainability and shifting consumer preferences, the industry is morphing, promising exciting opportunities for those involved.


The investor landscape within the optical goods retail sector includes a mix of corporate, venture capital, and private equity firms. Operating from Switzerland, Germany, and Austria, these investors range in size from small boutique firms to multinational corporations. Many were founded in the late 20th century and are actively engaged in shaping the future of the industry. Notably, 2024 saw varied investment activity, with major players like ZEISS Group and Alcon making impactful deals, emphasizing a shared vision for innovation in optical goods.


Top 17 Optical Goods Retail Investors in DACH


1. 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 leading eye care company founded in 1945, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. The company specializes in innovative vision products and surgical solutions, offering a wide range of products including contact lenses, eye care solutions, and surgical instruments for treating eye diseases. Alcon's customer base includes both patients and healthcare professionals, and it operates globally to enhance the quality of life through improved vision. Notable transactions include the acquisition of Ivantis for $475 million, which focuses on minimally invasive glaucoma surgery, and Aerie Pharmaceuticals for $770 million, known for its innovative treatments for glaucoma and other eye diseases. Additionally, Alcon's acquisition of LensX Lasers and Tear Film Innovations further demonstrates its commitment to expanding its portfolio in the optical goods sector, particularly in surgical and dry eye treatment solutions.


2. 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 prominent corporate investor in the optics and optoelectronics sector. With over 10,000 employees, ZEISS is dedicated to innovation and sustainability across various industries. Notably, they have made significant investments in the optical goods retail space, including the acquisition of Sola International, a leading eyeglass lens manufacturer, for approximately $1.1 billion in 2005. This acquisition highlights their commitment to enhancing their product offerings in the optical market. Additionally, ZEISS acquired Optoteam in 2006 to bolster their presence in the Swedish and northern European markets. More recently, they have engaged in funding rounds for companies like Morrow Optics and CREAL, which are involved in optical technologies, further solidifying their role as a key player in the optical goods retail industry.


3. Acton Capital


Acton Capital is a Munich-based venture capital firm founded in 1999, specializing in investing in startups at the Series A stage and beyond. They focus on providing financial backing and strategic guidance to mission-driven teams across various sectors, including technology and eco-friendly consumer goods. Notably, Acton Capital has made significant investments in the optical goods retail industry, including Glasses Direct, Europe's largest online prescription glasses retailer, which they supported in 2009 to help expand its UK business and enter the US market. Additionally, they have invested multiple times in MyOptique Group, a London-based online optical retailer, providing funding for international expansion and acquisitions. These transactions highlight Acton Capital's active role in the optical goods retail sector, showcasing their commitment to fostering growth in this industry.


4. Sictic

  • Website: sictic.ch
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 2014
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Number of deals in 2024: 77
  • LinkedIn: sictic

SICTIC is a not-for-profit organization based in Zurich, Switzerland, that connects smart money investors with innovative Swiss early-stage technology startups. Founded in 2014, SICTIC provides investment opportunities, networking events, and educational resources to facilitate the growth of startups and the investment community. Among their notable transactions, SICTIC has invested in Ileve Optics, which raised funds in April 2024, and CREAL, a company focused on optical technologies that has gone through multiple funding rounds, including a Series A in December 2019 and a Series B in September 2024. Additionally, SICTIC participated in the seed round for PeriVision, a startup that is developing optical products, further emphasizing their engagement in the optical goods sector.


5. b2venture

  • Website: b2venture.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 2000
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 15
  • LinkedIn: btovpartners

b2venture is a venture capital firm based in St. Gallen, Switzerland, founded in 2000. The firm specializes in early-stage investments in innovative startups across various sectors, providing financial backing and support to entrepreneurs. They collaborate with a community of angel investors, enhancing their investment strategy and positioning them as a key player in the European venture capital landscape. Notably, b2venture has invested in Brille24, a company in the optical goods retail sector, indicating their engagement in this industry. Additionally, their investments in OrCam Technologies, which develops artificial vision devices, highlight their interest in technology that intersects with optical goods. These transactions reflect b2venture's commitment to supporting advancements in the optical field, making them a relevant investor in this category.


6. Novartis

  • Website: novartis.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Basel, Basel, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 1996
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 7
  • LinkedIn: novartis

Novartis AG is a corporate investor based in Basel, Switzerland, primarily known as a pharmaceutical company that develops and manufactures innovative medicines targeting serious diseases. Founded in 1996, Novartis emphasizes research and development to improve patient outcomes across various therapeutic areas. Notably, Novartis has made significant investments in the optical goods sector, including the acquisition of Encore Vision in 2017 for $375 million, which focused on developing a presbyopia drug. Although this drug was ultimately abandoned, the acquisition highlights Novartis's commitment to advancing eye care solutions. Additionally, Novartis acquired Alcon, a leading company in eye care, for $12.9 billion in 2010, further solidifying its presence in the optical goods market. These transactions demonstrate Novartis's strategic interest in the ophthalmology field, making it a relevant player in the optical goods retail industry.


7. Partners Group

  • Website: partnersgroup.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Baar, Zug, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 1996
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 19
  • LinkedIn: partners-group

Partners Group Holding AG is a prominent investment management firm based in Baar, Zug, Switzerland, specializing in private equity, private infrastructure, private real estate, and private debt. Founded in 1996, the firm manages over USD 149 billion in assets and is recognized for its innovative investment solutions tailored for institutional investors, private banks, and individual investors. Among their notable transactions, Partners Group acquired EyeCare Partners for $2.2 billion in December 2019, marking a significant investment in the optical goods retail sector. This acquisition highlights their commitment to growth in the healthcare and optical industries, as EyeCare Partners has demonstrated impressive growth under previous ownership. Additionally, Partners Group has engaged in various other retail investments, showcasing their diverse portfolio while maintaining a focus on sectors that include optical goods.


8. Rocket Internet SE


Rocket Internet SE is a venture builder based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2007. The firm specializes in incubating and investing in internet and technology companies globally, providing operational support and capital to entrepreneurs. Their investment portfolio spans various sectors, including eCommerce, PropTech, and FinTech. Notably, Rocket Internet participated in a funding round for Netzoptiker.de, a German online eyewear retailer, in 2010, which raised €1.3 million. This investment highlights their engagement in the optical goods retail space, alongside other ventures in different industries such as home & living and pet products.


9. Verve Ventures

  • Website: verve.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 2010
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 25
  • LinkedIn: investiere-venture-capital

Verve Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Zurich, Switzerland, founded in 2010. The firm specializes in deep tech investments across Europe, providing funding and strategic support to science and technology startups. Their focus spans various sectors, including climate tech, industrial technology, and health & bio. Notably, Verve Ventures led a seed funding round for EarlySight, a startup that raised 2.3 million CHF, which is involved in vision-related technologies. This investment highlights their interest in optical innovations. Additionally, they have participated in funding rounds for companies like CREAL, which is developing augmented reality glasses, further showcasing their engagement with optical technologies.


10. 3TS Capital Partners


3TS Capital Partners is a venture capital firm based in Vienna, Austria, founded in 1999. The firm specializes in technology-focused private equity and venture capital, providing expansion capital and buyout funding to small and medium-sized enterprises in growth sectors, particularly in technology, internet, media, communications, and technology-enabled services. Notably, 3TS Capital Partners has made significant investments in the optical goods retail sector, particularly through their involvement with eyerim, a company that raised multiple rounds of funding, including a Seed round in 2016 and Series A rounds in 2017 and 2019, totaling over $4 million. This funding has been aimed at accelerating eyerim's regional expansion and enhancing its technology platform, showcasing 3TS's commitment to supporting growth in the optical goods retail market.


11. Swisscom Ventures


Swisscom Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Zurich, Switzerland, founded in 2007. The firm specializes in investing in high-potential technology startups, providing not only financial support but also strategic advisory services to help these companies access technical infrastructure and market channels. Swisscom Ventures operates across various technology sectors, including AI and Fintech, but has also shown interest in optical technologies. Notably, they led a CHF 6.5M Series A funding round for CREAL, a company developing cutting-edge light-field display technology aimed at AR glasses. This investment highlights their engagement in the optical goods retail space. Additionally, they have invested in Insightness, a startup specializing in Visual Positioning Systems, which may have applications in optical technologies. These transactions demonstrate Swisscom Ventures' capability and interest in supporting innovative companies within the optical goods sector.


12. Grazia Equity

  • Website: grazia.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
  • Founded year: 1998
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: grazia-equity

Grazia Equity GmbH is a venture capital firm based in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, founded in 1998. The firm specializes in providing investment management services to startups and entrepreneurs across various sectors. Grazia Equity has a notable track record in the optical goods retail industry, particularly through its investments in Mister Spex, Europe’s leading online optician. They participated in several funding rounds for Mister Spex, including a Series A round in 2008, a Series B round in 2010, and a significant equity round in 2019 that raised over EUR 65 million to support the company's international growth and retail network expansion. This involvement highlights Grazia Equity's commitment to supporting innovative businesses in the optical retail space, showcasing their expertise in investment management and their ability to help portfolio companies scale in competitive markets.


13. Paragon Partners

  • Website: paragon.de
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Munich, Bavaria, Germany
  • Founded year: 2004
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: paragon-partners_2

Paragon Partners GmbH is a private equity investment company based in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, founded in 2004. The firm specializes in private equity investments in established medium-sized enterprises, providing capital and strategic support to enhance business operations and foster growth. Among their notable transactions, Paragon Partners acquired a majority stake in pro optik, a prominent optical chain, in July 2019. This acquisition involved the purchase of 51% of pro optik's shares, with the founders retaining a financial interest. The deal aims to support pro optik's market expansion and revenue growth, which was reported at 125 million euros in 2018. This strategic investment highlights Paragon Partners' commitment to the optical goods retail sector, making them a relevant player in this industry.


14. COI Partners


COI Partners is an investment firm based in Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany, specializing in growth capital and private equity investments in medium-sized enterprises within the DACH region. Founded in 2001, the firm partners with entrepreneurs to provide direct investments and fund management services, helping businesses achieve their growth ambitions. COI Partners has a diverse investment portfolio, focusing on sectors such as IT services and quick-service food. Notably, they have invested in Mister Spex, a leading online retailer in the optical goods sector, which raised an undisclosed amount in a private equity round in March 2020. This investment highlights COI Partners' engagement in the optical goods retail market, alongside their other investments like Keller Sports, an online retailer in the sports sector.


15. Eos

  • Website: eos.info
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Krailling, Bavaria, Germany
  • Founded year: 1989
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • LinkedIn: eos

EOS GmbH, founded in 1989 and based in Krailling, Bavaria, Germany, is a leading provider of industrial 3D printing solutions specializing in metal and polymer additive manufacturing. The company offers a range of 3D printers, high-tech materials, and consulting services to businesses across various industries, including automotive and medical. Recently, EOS has expanded its investment portfolio to include the optical goods sector, acquiring KiwiStar Optics (KSO), known for producing large telescope lenses and spectrographs. This acquisition was announced on April 13, 2022, and included a significant investment aimed at enhancing KSO's technologies and expanding its marketing reach. Additionally, EOS plans to invest in new optical equipment through the asset purchase of Arizona Optical Services, further solidifying its presence in the optical goods market. These strategic moves reflect EOS's commitment to innovation and diversification beyond its core 3D printing business.


16. German Startups Group VC GmbH


German Startups Group VC GmbH is a venture capital firm based in Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany, founded in 2012. The firm specializes in providing investment and financial services to startups and growth-stage companies across various industries, including technology and e-commerce. Notably, they have been involved in significant transactions within the optical goods retail sector, particularly with Mister Spex, where they participated in multiple funding rounds in 2014 and 2016. These investments highlight their engagement in the optical retail market, supporting companies in achieving their growth objectives through capital access and portfolio management. Additionally, they have invested in Kirondo, although this company is not directly related to optical goods. Overall, their track record in the optical goods sector makes them a relevant investor in this category.


17. Earlybird Venture Capital


Earlybird Venture Capital is a venture capital firm founded in 1997, based in Germany, that specializes in investing in European technology innovators. They provide financial resources and strategic support to startups, particularly in the digital health and deep tech sectors. Notably, Earlybird has been involved in multiple funding rounds for Eyetronic Therapie, a company focused on eye care solutions, raising significant amounts in Series A and B rounds from 2010 to 2015. This involvement highlights their interest in the optical goods sector, particularly in innovative therapies related to eye health. Additionally, they have invested in Lumics, which, while not directly related to retail optical goods, indicates their broader engagement in technology that could intersect with optical innovations. Earlybird's business model focuses on nurturing early-stage companies through funding and mentorship, helping them navigate growth challenges, which is beneficial for startups in the optical goods retail space.



Optical Goods Retail Insights: Key Investors in DACH


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
AlconGeneva, Geneva, Switzerland10001+19452
ZEISS GroupOberkochen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany10001+18464
Acton CapitalMunich, Bavaria, Germany11-5019993
SicticZurich, Zurich, Switzerland201-500201477
b2ventureSt. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland11-50200015
NovartisBasel, Basel, Switzerland10001+19967
Partners GroupBaar, Zug, Switzerland1001-5000199619
Rocket Internet SEBerlin, Berlin, Germany201-50020070
Verve VenturesZurich, Zurich, Switzerland11-50201025
3TS Capital PartnersVienna, Vienna, Austria11-5019990
Swisscom VenturesZurich, Zurich, Switzerland11-5020074
Grazia EquityStuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany11-5019983
Paragon PartnersMunich, Bavaria, Germany11-5020042
COI PartnersFrankfurt, Hesse, Germany11-5020010
EosKrailling, Bavaria, Germany1001-500019890
German Startups Group VC GmbHFrankfurt, Hesse, Germany11-5020120
Earlybird Venture CapitalGermany51-200199729


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