Octopus sells Vision Direct

Essilor, which is listed on Euronext Paris, designs, manufactures and markets contact lenses and spectacles.

Octopus first invested in Vision Direct – then known as GetLenses – in 2009, supporting its series-A funding round. The deal saw the business merge with eyecare business PostOptics. Octopus invested £1.35m in the £5m deal.

In February 2014, Octopus backed the purchases of Dutch businesses Lensbase and Vision direct by GetLenses. Fidelity Worldwide Investments, Hargrave Hale and Artemis Investment Management also participated in the funding.

Company
Vision Direct is an inline contact lens retailer operating predominantly in the UK and Ireland. In 2015 it generated revenues of £33m.

The company was founded in 1998 and was originally headquartered in Amsterdam.

People
Octopus Ventures – Alex Macpherson (head of venture).

• Tweet  
• Facebook  
• LinkedIn  
• Google plus  
• Send to  

• Topics
• Exits
• UK / Ireland
• Consumer
• Octopus Ventures
• Venture
• Trade sale