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Exclusive: Lenskart set to acquire location AI startup GeoIQ

EntrackrEntrackr · 2m ago
Exclusive: Lenskart set to acquire location AI startup GeoIQ
Medial

Exclusive: Lenskart set to acquire location AI startup GeoIQ Omnichannel eyewear retailer Lenskart is all set to acquire location artificial intelligence startup GeoIQ, sources aware of the development told Entrackr. “The deal is nearing completion, with Lenskart set to acquire a majority stake in GeoIQ,” said a source familiar with the matter. “Most of the existing investors are expected to exit as part of the transaction.” Lenskart, which had previously invested in GeoIQ, spearheaded a $2.25 million funding round in May 2022, joined by 9Unicorns (now 100Unicorns) and Ecosystem Ventures. In November 2020, the startup secured Rs 2.5 crore in funding from investors including 9Unicorns, Inflection Point Ventures (IPV), Kayenne, and LetsVenture, among others. Founded by Devashish Fuloria, Tushneet Shrivastava, and Ankita Thakur, GeoIQ utilizes proprietary algorithms to layer government data with other trusted public sources and satellite imagery into generating 100m x 100m geospatial grids. The startup specializes in providing businesses with actionable consumer insights to tap into offline demand and facilitate faster expansion. It already works with well-known brands like Lenskart, Zepto, Navi, HUL, Caratlane, GIVA, Swiggy, Licious, and CultFit. According to startup data intelligence platform TheKredible, GeoIQ is currently valued at around Rs 90 crore (over $10 million). Lenskart is the largest stakeholder in the company with a 17.11% stake while all three co-founders hold 16.57% each. For the fiscal year ending in March 2024, GeoIQ reported an operating revenue of Rs 6.7 crore against Rs 7.1 crore in FY23. Its net loss widened to Rs 6.1 crore from Rs 4.2 crore year-on-year. “The terms of the deal have been sealed, with GeoIQ expected to be valued anywhere between $15–20 million,” said the person quoted at the beginning of the story. This marks Lenskart’s second acquisition in the last two years. In October 2023, the Peyush Bansal-led company acquired TangoEye, an AI-driven computer vision startup in which it was already an investor. In June 2022, it bought a majority stake in Japan’s Owndays. Three months later, Lenskart’s subsidiary Neso Brands also acquired a minority stake in Paris-based omnichannel eyewear brand Le Petit Lunetier. The development comes as Lenskart gears up for its initial public offering (IPO) as it aims to raise $1 billion at a valuation of $10 billion. Last week, the company also transitioned its holding entity from a private limited to a public limited company. The move was exclusively reported by Entrackr.

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Fidelity marks up IPO-bound Lenskart's valuation to $6.1 Bn

EntrackrEntrackr · 2m ago
Fidelity marks up IPO-bound Lenskart's valuation to $6.1 Bn
Medial

Fidelity marks up IPO-bound Lenskart's valuation to $6.1 Bn The development comes as Lenskart prepares for its initial public offering (IPO), with plans to raise $1 billion at a targeted valuation of $10 billion. Fidelity has revised the valuation of omnichannel eyewear retailer Lenskart to $6.1 billion, as per its latest monthly portfolio holdings update. In November, Fidelity valued the Peyush Bansal-led company at $5.6 billion. In June 2024, Lenskart raised $200 million via a secondary round, followed by a $20 million investment led by Bansal. As of now, the company has secured nearly $1 billion and reached a valuation of $5 billion during the secondary deal in which Fidelity also participated. Just last week, the company converted its holding entity from a private limited to a public limited company, a move exclusively reported by Entrackr. Media reports also suggested that Lenskart is set to file its draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) confidentially with the markets regulator by the end of this month. Lenskart inched closer to profitability in FY24, with losses narrowing sharply by 84% to Rs 10 crore from Rs 63 crore in FY23. The company’s revenue from operations rose by 43% to Rs 5,427.7 crore in FY24. Its FY25 result has yet to be reported. Lenskart is also exploring the acquisition of location intelligence startup GeoIQ.

Exclusive: Lenskart sets stage for IPO with public entity conversion

EntrackrEntrackr · 2m ago
Exclusive: Lenskart sets stage for IPO with public entity conversion
Medial

Exclusive: Lenskart sets stage for IPO with public entity conversion Lenskart's board has passed a special resolution to change its parent company’s name from Lenskart Solutions Private Limited to Lenskart Solutions Limited, according to the company's filings. It looks like omnichannel eyewear retailer Lenskart’s draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) is around the corner, as the company has converted from a private to a public entity following board approval. Media reports suggest that Lenskart aims to raise $1 billion via a mix of primary and secondary capital, targeting a valuation of $10 billion in its Initial Public Offering (IPO). In June 2024, Lenskart secured $200 million through a secondary funding round, followed by a $20 million investment that included participation from founder Peyush Bansal. Over the past 18 months, the company has raised nearly $1 billion and was valued at $5 billion during the secondary deal. Recently, early investor Fidelity marked up Lenskart’s valuation to $5.6 billion. As of last year, Lenskart operated more than 2,500 stores worldwide, with about 2,000 in India. The company earned 42% of its revenue from international markets during FY24. Japan, Singapore, Taiwan (province of China), and Thailand are among its overseas markets. Lenskart’s revenue from operations rose by 43% to Rs 5,427.7 crore in FY24 from Rs 3,788 crore in FY23. During the period, the company reduced its losses by 84% to Rs 10 crore in FY24 from Rs 63 crore in FY23. The company’s FY25 result has yet to be reported.

Exclusive: Toothsi-parent makeO to acquire Apple Dental

EntrackrEntrackr · 10d ago
Exclusive: Toothsi-parent makeO to acquire Apple Dental
Medial

Exclusive: Toothsi-parent makeO to acquire Apple Dental MakeO, the parent of dental tech startup Toothsi and skincare brand Skinnsi, is set to acquire Andhra Pradesh-based Apple Oral and Dental Pvt Ltd (Apple Dental), according to regulatory filings reviewed by Entrackr. As per its filing with the Registrar of Companies (RoC), Toothsi’s parent, MakeO, will acquire 100% equity in Apple Dental for a total consideration of Rs 10.98 crore through a mix of cash and stock. Apple Dental will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of MakeO. In addition, MakeO will extend a loan of Rs 1.5 crore to Apple Dental at an interest rate of up to 13%. Apple Dental operates a chain of dental clinics across 20 locations in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. This acquisition comes as the company seeks to expand its offline presence beyond metro cities. Queries sent to MakeO remained unanswered at the time of publication. Recently, the Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli-backed company raised Rs 100 crore (approximately $12 million) from its existing investors, including Siddharth Shah (Co-founder & CEO of PharmEasy), 360 One, Eight Roads Ventures, Paramark Ventures, and others. Founded in 2018 by Arpi Mehta Shah, Pravin Shetty, Manjul Jain, and Anirudh Kal, MakeO began as the aligner brand Toothsi. In September 2022, it merged its flagship brands, Toothsi and Skinnsi to launch MakeO, offering dental, skin, and hair treatment solutions under a single platform. According to startup data intelligence platform TheKredible, the Mumbai-based company has raised over $100 million to date including $40 million raised in Series C round in May 2022. While the company has not yet disclosed its FY25 figures, its operating revenue in FY24 stood at Rs 179 crore, while losses narrowed by 32% to Rs 150 crore during the same period.

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