Japan-based SoftBank Group has successfully divested a 3.25 percent stake in the Indian eyewear unicorn Lenskart Solutions. The transaction, valued at approximately 2,873 crore rupees, was carried out through an open market block deal. This move marks another significant partial exit for SoftBank from its mature Indian portfolio as the conglomerate continues to rebalance its global investment strategy.
Details of the 3.25 Percent Stake Divestment
The stake sale was executed by SoftBank Vision Fund II (SVF II) Lightbulb (Cayman) Limited, an affiliate through which the Japanese group holds its investment in Lenskart. During the transaction, SoftBank sold 5.65 crore shares of the company. Following this divestment, SoftBank’s total holding in Lenskart has decreased from 13.13 percent to 9.88 percent.
The shares were picked up by a mix of high-profile global and domestic institutional investors. Notable buyers included Goldman Sachs, Fidelity, WhiteOak Capital, and Mirae Asset Mutual Fund. The sale was conducted on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) at an average price reflecting the company’s robust market performance since its public listing in late 2025.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Seller | SoftBank Vision Fund II (SVF II) |
| Stake Divested | 3.25 percent |
| Number of Shares Sold | 5.65 crore |
| Transaction Value | ~2,873 crore rupees |
| Current Holding | 9.88 percent |
A Profitable Exit: SoftBank’s Investment Journey
SoftBank first entered Lenskart’s capitalization table in December 2019 with an initial investment of approximately 275 million dollars (around 1,974 crore rupees at the time). At its peak, the Japanese conglomerate held nearly a 20 percent stake in the company. Over the years, SoftBank has progressively paraged its holding through various secondary sales and the company’s Initial Public Offering (IPO) in November 2025.
By the time of this June 2026 block deal, SoftBank had already realized significant gains. Reports suggest that the firm has achieved a multiple on invested capital (MOIC) of over 7 times on its original investment in Lenskart. This makes Lenskart one of the most successful bets in SoftBank’s Indian portfolio, which also includes other major names like Ola Electric, Swiggy, and Flipkart.
Lenskart’s Valuation and Strategic Expansion
Founded in 2010 by Peyush Bansal, Amit Chaudhary, and Sumeet Kapahi, Lenskart has evolved from an online-only player into an omnichannel eyewear giant. The company operates over 1,500 stores across India and has a growing international presence in Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and other Southeast Asian markets.
Following its public listing in November 2025 at a valuation of approximately 8 billion dollars, Lenskart’s market capitalization has surged to nearly 11 billion dollars by mid-2026. A key driver of this growth has been the company’s focus on vertical integration. Lenskart operates a mega-factory in Bhiwadi, Rajasthan, which is one of the world’s largest automated lens manufacturing facilities. This allows the company to maintain high margins and control the end-to-end customer experience.
SoftBank’s Broader Strategy in India
The partial exit from Lenskart aligns with the broader strategy of SoftBank Group and its founder, Masayoshi Son. Since 2024, SoftBank has transitioned from being an aggressive buyer in the Indian startup ecosystem to a disciplined seller of mature assets. The conglomerate has been liquidating its holdings in companies like Paytm, Zomato, and Delhivery to generate liquidity for its global pivot toward Artificial Intelligence (AI) and semiconductor investments.
While SoftBank is reducing its stakes in consumer internet companies, it remains a significant player in the Indian market. The capital recovered from these exits is expected to be redirected toward new-age sectors, including AI cloud infrastructure and enterprise software solutions. This strategic rebalancing ensures that SoftBank can fund its ambitious vision for the global AI revolution while locking in profits from its successful decade-long run in the Indian venture capital space.
Key Takeaways
- SoftBank Group has divested a 3.25 percent stake in Lenskart Solutions for approximately 2,873 crore rupees.
- The transaction involved the sale of 5.65 crore shares by SoftBank Vision Fund II (SVF II) Lightbulb (Cayman) Limited.
- SoftBank’s remaining stake in the eyewear major now stands at 9.88 percent, down from 13.13 percent.
- Lenskart was founded in 2010 and reached a market valuation of nearly 11 billion dollars in June 2026.
- The company operates a massive automated lens manufacturing unit in Bhiwadi, Rajasthan.
- Institutional buyers in the deal included Goldman Sachs, Fidelity, and WhiteOak Capital.
