Eyewear Service Lensabl Raises $4 Million, Adds Frames, Contacts

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Lensabl Inc., an online service that offers lens replacements for old glasses, said Oct. 25 that it raised a $4 million funding round to support the company’s move into the contact lens and frame business.

The 3-year-old Culver City-based company plans to launch sales of contact lenses next year at a much lower price point than brick-and-mortar retailers.

Until recently, Lensabl focused on replacement lenses for eyeglasses. The company began selling its own frames, starting at $77, about a month ago.

“The goal is to become a customer one-stop shop for vision care products,” said Chief Executive Andy Bilinsky.

Lensabl began selling frames to create a complementary business for customers who mail in pricey glasses and are waiting for them to be fixed, Bilinsky added.

The service offers customers new, cheaper frames and lenses with a quicker turnaround.

The glasses are pitched as high-quality, off-brand options at a price point that’s competitive with New York-based online eyewear company Jand Inc., which does business as Warby Parker.

Two years ago, Lensabl partnered with Snap Inc. to sell the social media company’s camera-outfitted Spectacle frames with prescription lenses. Snap is now on its third version of those frames.

And Lensabl has new tech partnerships on the horizon. Next year, Bilinsky said, the company will announce an agreement with an unnamed brand to offer prescriptions lenses that would accompany a new line of wearable tech frames.

Founded by Bilinsky and Michael Rahimzadeh, Lensabl has raised nearly $8 million. The latest round was led by Portland, Ore.-based Rogue Venture Partners.

Manufacturing, retail and trade reporter Rachel Uranga can be reached at [email protected] or (323) 556-8351. Follow her on Twitter @racheluranga.

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