From Clear Vision to Smart Vision: Lenskart Steps into the Future with AjnaLens

In a significant step towards blending fashion, function, and futuristic tech, IPO-bound eyewear major Lenskart has announced a strategic investment in Mumbai-based deeptech startup AjnaLens. The collaboration aims to co-develop AI-powered smart glasses, marking Lenskart’s growing ambition to reshape the eyewear experience for consumers across India and beyond.

While the financial specifics of the deal remain undisclosed, the announcement speaks volumes about Lenskart’s forward-looking vision—both literally and metaphorically.

AjnaLens: Where Deep Tech Meets Reality

Founded in 2014 by Pankaj Raut, Abhijit Patil, and Abhishek Tomar, AjnaLens is no stranger to futuristic innovation. The startup specializes in Extended Reality (XR) hardware and software solutions and has carved a niche for itself across sectors like defence, enterprise learning, and industrial training.

AjnaLens isn’t just building cool gadgets—it’s solving real-world problems with immersive technologies. From training soldiers using XR simulations to helping enterprises upskill their workforce in engaging ways, the startup has already demonstrated the transformative power of immersive tech. And now, it’s turning its attention to a space that affects all of us—eyewear.

Lenskart’s Tech-Driven Evolution

Lenskart has always prided itself on being more than just an eyewear retailer. Over the years, it has gradually positioned itself as a consumer-tech company in disguise, constantly experimenting with innovations like 3D try-on, in-store smart kiosks, and home eye checkups.

The company took its first steps into smart eyewear last year with the launch of its audio-enabled glasses called ‘Phonic’ in December 2024. These glasses allowed users to make calls, listen to music, and interact with digital assistants—all without putting anything in their ears.

Now, the AjnaLens partnership is expected to take that leap even further.

“We have been leveraging technology to create distinctive and meaningful eyewear experiences for our customers. This investment marks the next chapter in our smart glass journey, which began with the launch of Phonic, our audio glasses, in December 2024,” said Peyush Bansal, Co-founder of Lenskart.

“As the smart glasses category scales rapidly, our partnership with AjnaLens strategically positions us to accelerate product innovation in this space,” he added.

What Could Smart Glasses 2.0 Look Like?

While details of the upcoming smart glasses have not yet been revealed, industry observers speculate that the new product could go beyond audio capabilities to include gesture control, voice-enabled AI, AR overlays, and health tracking.

Given Lenskart’s massive retail presence, D2C infrastructure, and robust customer base, the company is uniquely positioned to take smart glasses out of the tech labs and into the mainstream.

This could also help democratize smart eyewear—bringing prices down, increasing adoption, and redefining what everyday eyewear can do.

This partnership represents more than just a product play—it’s a reflection of India’s growing appetite for homegrown innovation and deeptech-industry collaborations.

Startups like AjnaLens show that Indian companies are no longer just service providers; they’re becoming core technology creators. And when such startups find synergy with unicorns like Lenskart, the potential to co-create scalable, global solutions multiplies.

In a market dominated by imported tech gadgets, an India-developed smart glass offering could not only give consumers more choices but also become a flagbearer for ‘Make in India’ innovation in the wearables space.

Lenskart’s strategic bet on AjnaLens is more than a business transaction—it’s a glimpse into the future of eyewear. A future where your glasses aren’t just for seeing, but for connecting, learning, navigating, and even interacting with the world around you.

As this partnership unfolds, all eyes will be on what comes next. Will Lenskart crack the smart glasses code? If it does, it could very well change the way India—and the world—sees the future.