The spectacle lens manufacturing industry in the US revolves around creating optical lenses for eyewear. This includes prescription glasses, sunglasses, and specialized lenses for various professions. Key players range from large firms producing mass-market glasses to small boutiques offering customized and innovative eyewear solutions. The growth of digital eyewear technology, including blue light blocking lenses and smart glasses, is shaping future trends. Moreover, sustainability practices are gaining traction, prompting many manufacturers to explore eco-friendly materials. With increasing demand for personalized and high-tech eyewear, the sector is witnessing significant advancements alongside a rising consumer focus on eye health.


In this article, we explore 19 notable investors in the spectacle lens manufacturing sector. These include venture capital firms, private equity groups, and accelerator programs. Many are based in tech hubs like California and New York, and they range in size from small teams to major investment houses managing billions in assets. Founded between the 1970s and 2020s, these investors recorded substantial deal counts in 2024, signaling their engagement with the industry. With their financial support, innovative companies are emerging, enhancing their capabilities in optics and eyewear solutions.


Top 19 Spectacle Lens Manufacturing Investors in the US


1. 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. It specializes in investing in early-stage technology companies, particularly in areas such as AI, cloud computing, and semiconductor technologies. The firm provides funding, strategic support, and access to Intel's resources to help startups scale and innovate. Notably, Intel Capital has invested in Vuzix, acquiring a 30% stake for $24.813 million to enhance the development of Internet-connected glasses, which directly relates to the spectacle lens market. Additionally, they have invested in Avegant, a developer of wearable near-eye displays, and Metalenz, a metasurface optics startup, both of which contribute to advancements in display and optical technologies relevant to eyewear. These transactions highlight Intel Capital's engagement in sectors that intersect with spectacle lens manufacturing.


2. MedTech Innovator

  • Website: medtechinnovator.org
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Los Angeles, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2013
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 85
  • LinkedIn: medtech-innovator

MedTech Innovator is a not-for-profit organization based in Los Angeles, California, founded in 2013. It serves as the largest accelerator for medical technology companies, providing accelerator programs, mentorship, and competitions to support startups in the medical device, digital health, and diagnostics sectors. Among its notable transactions, MedTech Innovator has provided grants to LensGen, a company focused on developing advanced lens technologies, which directly relates to the spectacle lens manufacturing industry. Additionally, their involvement with other medical technology firms showcases their commitment to fostering innovation in healthcare, including areas that intersect with vision care and optics.


3. 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 focuses on supporting early-stage companies in the optics, photonics, and imaging sectors by providing funding, mentorship, and access to resources. Luminate connects startups with industry experts and investors to help them commercialize their technologies and succeed in the market. Notably, Luminate has invested in companies such as Momentum Optics, which raised $100,000 in a convertible note in July 2021, and 2Eyes Vision, which raised $819,802 in a funding round in March 2022. These transactions highlight Luminate's commitment to advancing technologies that are pertinent to the spectacle lens manufacturing industry.


4. 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, specializing in funding and supporting deep tech startups through its development programs. With a global reach, SOSV connects innovative companies with investors, providing venture capital investment and resources to help startups grow and succeed. Notably, SOSV has been involved in several funding rounds for ClearDekho, an eyewear brand, including seed and Series A rounds, which collectively raised over $9 million. This involvement highlights SOSV's engagement in the spectacle lens manufacturing context, particularly through its support of ClearDekho, which operates as an online eyewear marketplace.


5. 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. The firm 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. Notably, the fund has participated in significant transactions within the spectacle lens manufacturing context, including Lentesplus, which raised $5.2 million in Series D funding in March 2020, and Pair Eyewear, which raised $1 million in Series C funding in May 2023. These investments highlight the fund's engagement in the eyewear sector, particularly in companies that manufacture and innovate in spectacle lenses.


6. Samsung Ventures


Samsung Ventures is a venture capital firm founded in 1999, based in Menlo Park, California. The firm focuses on providing investment and strategic consulting services to startups and companies across various sectors, including semiconductors, healthcare, fintech, and biotechnology. Notably, Samsung Ventures has made significant investments in companies related to optical technologies, such as Deep Optics, which raised $5 million in a Series B round in 2019, and LensVector, which raised $30 million in a Series C round in 2010. These investments highlight Samsung Ventures' commitment to supporting innovation in the spectacle lens manufacturing industry, as both companies are engaged in developing advanced optical solutions. Additionally, Samsung Ventures has participated in funding rounds for other technology-driven companies, showcasing their broad investment strategy while maintaining a focus on sectors that intersect with optical technologies.


7. 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 includes resources like the Startup School and co-founder matching services. With over 4,000 startups launched, Y Combinator has established itself as a key player in the technology startup ecosystem. Among its notable transactions, Y Combinator participated in the seed funding round for SpecCheck, a San Francisco-based startup focused on expanding operations in the spectacle lens sector, raising $3.7 million in October 2023. This involvement highlights Y Combinator's engagement in the spectacle lens manufacturing industry, alongside its broader focus on technology startups.


8. 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 leading 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 asset management powerhouse, providing tailored investment solutions to institutional and individual clients. In the optical sector, KKR has made significant investments, including the acquisition of National Vision Inc., which is a major player in the optical retail market, and the purchase of 1-800 Contacts, a leading online contact lens retailer. Additionally, KKR has invested in Lenskart, a rapidly growing eyewear company in India, and has supported AcuFocus, a company focused on innovative vision correction solutions. These transactions highlight KKR's commitment to the spectacle lens manufacturing and optical industry, showcasing their strategic interest in enhancing their portfolio within this sector.


9. 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. It offers 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. In the context of spectacle lens manufacturing, Goldman Sachs has made significant investments, such as leading a $40 million funding round for Mister Spex, a European online glasses and contact lens retailer, aimed at expanding its market presence. Additionally, Goldman Sachs acquired Capital Vision Services, the parent company of MyEyeDr., for approximately $2.7 billion, which provides management services to optometrists and has seen substantial growth in the vision care sector. These transactions highlight Goldman Sachs' active role in the eyewear industry, particularly in areas related to spectacle lenses and vision care services.


10. The Carlyle Group

  • Website: carlyle.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Washington, D.C., District Of Columbia, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1987
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 25
  • LinkedIn: the-carlyle-group

The Carlyle Group Inc. is a prominent investment management firm founded in 1987, specializing in private equity, real assets, and private credit. With a global presence and a focus on driving long-term value for its institutional investors, Carlyle has made significant investments across various sectors. Notably, it has been involved in the vision care industry through its investments in AcuFocus, a manufacturer of implants for vision loss, participating in multiple funding rounds from 2005 to 2014. Additionally, Carlyle's acquisition of Meopta in May 2023 suggests a strategic interest in optics and potentially spectacle lens manufacturing. This diverse investment portfolio showcases Carlyle's capability to provide tailored investment solutions while engaging in sectors that intersect with spectacle lens manufacturing.


11. Ametek

  • Website: ametek.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Berwyn, Pennsylvania, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1930
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: ametek

AMETEK, Inc. is a manufacturer specializing in electronic instruments and electromechanical devices, founded in 1930 and headquartered in Berwyn, Pennsylvania. The company provides advanced analytical and measurement solutions across various sectors, including aerospace, energy, and medical. Notably, Ametek has made strategic acquisitions that enhance its presence in the eye care and optical inspection markets. In 2011, Ametek acquired Reichert Technologies for $150 million, a company known for its analytical instruments and diagnostic devices for the eye care market, which significantly bolstered Ametek's capabilities in ophthalmic devices. More recently, in 2025, Ametek acquired Kern Microtechnik, a manufacturer of high-precision machining and optical inspection solutions, further solidifying its involvement in the optics sector. These transactions highlight Ametek's commitment to innovation and operational excellence in industries related to spectacle lens manufacturing.


12. Silicon Valley Bank

  • Website: svb.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Santa Clara, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1983
  • Headcount: 5001-10000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 31
  • LinkedIn: silicon-valley-bank

Silicon Valley Bank is a commercial bank founded in 1983, located in Santa Clara, California, specializing in providing financial services to the innovation economy, particularly tech startups and venture capital firms. They offer a range of products including business banking, global payments, and asset management, helping clients navigate financial challenges and support their growth. Notably, Silicon Valley Bank has participated in funding rounds for companies like LensVector, which raised $30 million in a Series C funding round to scale its manufacturing capacity, indicating their engagement in the optics sector. Additionally, they have been involved in financing other companies such as MacuLogix and Eyenovia, which, while not directly in spectacle lens manufacturing, are related to vision care and technology, further showcasing their relevance in the broader optics and vision industry.


13. Sand Hill Angels

  • Website: sandhillangels.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Mountain View, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2000
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: sand-hill-angels

Sand Hill Angels is an angel investment group based in Mountain View, California, founded in 2000. They focus on providing funding and mentorship to technology startups, offering access to capital, networking opportunities, and guidance throughout the startup journey. Their members are experienced investors and business leaders who actively participate in the startup ecosystem. Notably, Sand Hill Angels has been involved in multiple funding rounds for DynaOptics, a company that has raised funds through seed rounds and secondary market transactions from 2014 to 2018. This involvement indicates their interest in companies related to optics and lens technology. Additionally, they participated in a significant Series B funding round for Mojo Vision, which is also in the optics space, further demonstrating their relevance to the spectacle lens manufacturing industry.


14. 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 specialize in connecting startups with corporations to foster growth and innovation across various technology sectors. In 2022, they participated in funding rounds for XP Health, a digital vision benefits platform, which raised $17.1M in Series A funding, indicating their interest in the vision care market. Additionally, they have been involved with AesculaTech, a company that has raised multiple rounds of funding through convertible notes, further showcasing their engagement in the eye care and vision technology space. Their accelerator initiatives and investment opportunities are designed to enhance business development, making them a valuable player in the spectacle lens manufacturing context.


15. Visionary Venture Fund

  • Website: visionaryvc.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Newport Beach, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2016
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: visionary-ventures-fund

Visionary Venture Fund is a venture capital firm based in Newport Beach, California, founded in 2016. The firm specializes in investing in life sciences, with a particular emphasis on ophthalmology and medical aesthetics. Visionary Ventures provides funding to startups and emerging companies, helping them develop innovative solutions for unmet medical needs. Their target investment range is between $5M to $15M, focusing on both early and late-stage companies. Notable transactions include a $21 million investment in RxSight, which focuses on vision correction technologies, and multiple rounds of funding for Orasis Pharmaceuticals, a company developing corrective eye drop candidates for presbyopia. These investments highlight their commitment to advancing vision-related medical solutions, which may intersect with the spectacle lens manufacturing industry.


16. Tpg

  • Website: tpg.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1992
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 27
  • LinkedIn: tpg-capital

TPG Inc. is a leading global alternative asset manager specializing in private equity and investment management, founded in 1992 and based in San Francisco, California. The firm manages $229 billion in assets across various sectors, including technology, healthcare, and consumer markets. Notably, TPG has invested in Lenskart, a prominent player in the spectacle lens manufacturing and eyewear retail market, participating in multiple funding rounds including a Series D round in May 2016 and a Series C round in January 2015. These transactions highlight TPG's engagement in the eyewear sector, showcasing their capability to provide diversified investment opportunities and strategic insights to enhance portfolios in this industry.


17. Summit Partners

  • Website: summitpartners.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Boston, Massachusetts, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1984
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 13
  • LinkedIn: summit-partners

Summit Partners is a private equity investment firm based in Boston, Massachusetts, founded in 1984. The firm specializes in growth equity, providing capital and resources to category-leading companies primarily in technology, healthcare, and life sciences. Summit Partners has a diverse portfolio, with notable investments including Paragon Vision Sciences, which raised funds in 1995 and is involved in vision care products, indicating a connection to the spectacle lens industry. Other investments, such as in Quay Australia and Freedom Scientific Holdings, LLC, showcase their broad investment strategy across various sectors. In 2024, they participated in a Series B funding round for Hyperlight, further demonstrating their active engagement in growth-stage companies. While their investment history includes relevant transactions, their primary focus remains on a wider array of industries beyond just spectacle lens manufacturing.


18. Khosla Ventures

  • Website: khoslaventures.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Menlo Park, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2004
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 97
  • LinkedIn: khosla-ventures

Khosla Ventures is a venture capital firm founded in 2004, based in Menlo Park, California. The firm specializes in providing funding and strategic guidance to startups, particularly in technology, healthcare, and sustainability sectors. Khosla Ventures has been actively involved in the vision and eye health space, notably investing in EyeNetra, a company that has developed a smartphone vision test, raising $4 million in a Series A round in 2014. This investment highlights their commitment to advancing vision-related technologies. Additionally, Khosla Ventures has invested in Mojo Vision, which has raised significant funding across multiple rounds to develop micro-LED display technology, potentially applicable in augmented reality and other vision-related applications. These transactions demonstrate Khosla Ventures' interest in innovations that could impact the spectacle lens manufacturing industry.


19. 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, they have made 98 investments, showcasing their active engagement in the startup ecosystem. Among their notable transactions, they invested in Eyewa, which raised $7.5 million in Series A funding in 2019 and $1.1 million in a Seed Round in 2018, both of which are directly related to eyewear. Additionally, they participated in the funding of Avegant, a company focused on wearable near-eye displays, which aligns with advancements in visual technology relevant to spectacle lenses. Their diverse portfolio and focus on innovative startups position them as a significant player in the spectacle lens manufacturing context.



Spectacle Lens Manufacturing Insights: Key Investors in the US


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
Intel CapitalSanta Clara, California, United States (USA)11-50199123
MedTech InnovatorLos Angeles, California, United States (USA)11-50201385
Luminate AcceleratorRochester, New York, United States (USA)1-10201716
SosvUnited States (USA)51-2001995170
Deep Tech Fund (an Alumni Ventures Fund)Manchester, New Hampshire, United States (USA)51-2002023258
Samsung VenturesMenlo Park, California, United States (USA)51-200199913
Y CombinatorSan Francisco, California, United States (USA)51-2002005802
KkrNew York, New York, United States (USA)1001-5000197674
Goldman SachsNew York, New York, United States (USA)10001+199859
The Carlyle GroupWashington, D.C., District Of Columbia, United States (USA)1001-5000198725
AmetekBerwyn, Pennsylvania, United States (USA)10001+19301
Silicon Valley BankSanta Clara, California, United States (USA)5001-10000198331
Sand Hill AngelsMountain View, California, United States (USA)51-20020003
Plug and Play Tech CenterSunnyvale, California, United States (USA)501-10002006253
Visionary Venture FundNewport Beach, California, United States (USA)1-1020163
TpgSan Francisco, California, United States (USA)1001-5000199227
Summit PartnersBoston, Massachusetts, United States (USA)51-200198413
Khosla VenturesMenlo Park, California, United States (USA)51-200200497
500 GlobalSan Francisco, California, United States (USA)201-500201098


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