Loading organizations...
Lensabl operates a direct-to-consumer online platform specializing in prescription lens replacement services. Customers can update existing frames with new lenses, and the company also provides a selection of frames and contact lenses. This digital model streamlines optical product acquisition, emphasizing convenience and affordability.
Founded in 2015 by Andrew Bilinsky and Michael Rahimzadeh, Lensabl emerged to counter the high costs and complexities of traditional eyewear retail. Their insight centered on delivering a convenient, accessible online solution for updating prescription lenses, allowing consumers to refresh vision without new frames.
Lensabl serves individuals seeking practical, value-driven eyewear options. The company's vision is to democratize access to quality optical care through a transparent, user-friendly online experience. This ensures essential prescription products are readily available, bypassing conventional retail friction.
Lensabl has raised $3.3M across 2 funding rounds.
Lensabl has raised $3.3M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Lensabl has raised $3.3M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Lensabl's investors include Bonfire Ventures, Frontier Ventures, Watertower Ventures.
Lensabl has raised $3.3M across 2 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $3.0M Seed in October 2018.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2018 | $3M Seed | — | Bonfire Ventures, Frontier Ventures, Watertower Ventures | Announced |
| May 1, 2017 | $300K Seed | — | Bonfire Ventures, Frontier Ventures, Watertower Ventures | Announced |
Lensabl is a direct-to-consumer (DTC) vision care company that provides online lens replacement services, prescription eyeglasses, designer frames, contact lenses, and online vision tests, solving the problem of expensive, inconvenient traditional eyewear purchases.[1][2][3] It serves individual consumers seeking affordable, at-home vision solutions, including those without employer-sponsored benefits, through customizable products like premium lenses for existing frames starting at $97 and subscription-based vision plans (Lensabl+).[1][2][6] Founded in 2016 in Los Angeles, California, Lensabl raised $10.95M before being acquired by Visibly in May 2024, positioning it as a key player in the e-commerce optical space with strong growth via DTC channels.[1][2]
Lensabl was co-founded in 2016 by Andy Bilinsky (CEO) and his partner, who previously ran a style-oriented online eyewear brand and identified a major pain point: customers frequently requested prescription lenses for their existing frames, revealing an opportunity for a standalone lens replacement service.[3][2] Starting as a spectacle lens replacement provider, the company quickly expanded amid customer demand, adding frames, contact lenses, online vision tests, and an app for prescription scanning and renewals.[2][5] Early traction came from emphasizing convenience and affordability in a stagnant industry, bolstered by $5M in recent funding from investors like Rogue Venture Partners, Amplify LA, and Birchmere Ventures, leading to innovations like Lensabl+ in 2021.[2][4]
Lensabl rides the DTC e-commerce wave in healthcare, digitizing vision care amid rising demand for at-home services post-pandemic, where consumers avoid physical stores for contacts and exams.[1][2][4] Timing aligns with telehealth growth and optical market fragmentation, enabling 70% cost savings by cutting retail markups and leveraging tech like AI-driven prescription scanning.[3][5][7] It influences the ecosystem by challenging traditional optometrists with end-to-end solutions, expanding to employer plans, and fostering competition in a $100B+ US vision market.[2][3]
Post-2024 acquisition by Visibly, Lensabl is poised to scale its DTC model into integrated vision platforms, potentially accelerating lab expansions and employer offerings amid tele-optometry trends.[1][2] Rising remote work and aging populations will drive demand for affordable, app-first care, evolving its influence toward comprehensive digital optometry. This builds on its core mission, transforming eyewear from a hassle into seamless, tech-enabled access.
