Lenskart IPO: Founder Peyush Bansal Buys Back Shares at Discount Before Listing From SoftBank and Others

Lenskart founder and CEO Peyush Bansal has bought back a 2.5% stake in the company for ₹222 crore ahead of its anticipated IPO, as per news reports. This strategic move comes prior to the eyewear giant’s forthcoming public debut, potentially valuing it between ₹70,000 crore and ₹75,000 crore.

Founder Buys Back Shares Ahead of IPO

Peyush Bansal acquired 42.7 million shares at ₹52 apiece from early investors, including SoftBank, Chiratae Ventures, Kedaara Capital, TR Capital, Temasek, and Premji Invest. The transaction, completed via secondary cash deals, valued Lenskart at approximately ₹8,700 crore, indicating a significant markdown compared to the projected IPO valuation of ₹70,000–75,000 crore.

Offer-for-Sale Component and Founder Divestments

The IPO includes a sizable offer-for-sale (OFS), with Bansal selling 20.5 million shares. At the expected valuation, this could fetch him between ₹700 crore and ₹750 crore. Overall, the promoters, including Bansal’s sister Neha Bansal and co-founders Amit Chaudhary and Sumeet Kapahi, are offering 31.8 million shares.

Strategic Pre-IPO Share Transactions

This pre-listening buyback follows a trend among new-age startups, where founders augment ownership before listing. Similar actions have been observed in tech firms like Swiggy, PB Fintech, and Freshworks. These transactions serve to realign shareholding and consolidate promoter interests ahead of the public offering.

Read More: Eyewear Giant Lenskart Submits IPO Papers to SEBI for ₹8,000 Crore Listing!

About Lenskart

Founded in 2010, Lenskart has evolved into a leading omnichannel eyewear brand in India. As of 2025, the company has a notable presence in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. It was last valued at $5 billion after its 2024 funding round, with US-based Fidelity later marking up the valuation by over 20% to $6.1 billion in April 2025.

Conclusion

Peyush Bansal’s strategic buyback of shares at a steep discount signals confidence in Lenskart’s growth trajectory. As the IPO approaches, the realignment of promoter holdings and strong investor backing position Lenskart as one of the year’s most prominent public listings.

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