Pair Eyewear is an innovative business transforming the glasses game with customizable magnetic frames, mainly focused on children. They make eyewear both stylish and fun. Nathan Kondamuri and Sophia Edelstein founded the company in 2017.
Pair Eyewear wants to change how people buy glasses. They plan to sell them at prices that most people can afford and with cool, new designs. From Shark Tank fame to multi-million dollar funding rounds, here’s how Pair Eyewear became a brand to watch.
Pair Eyewear Highlights
A snapshot of the Pair Eyewear business:
| Aspect | Details |
| Business Name | Pair Eyewear |
| Founding Year | 2017 |
| Founders | Nathan Kondamuri and Sophia Edelstein |
| Product / USP | Customizable eyeglass frames with magnetic top frames that snap on easily. |
| Shark Tank Episode | Season 11, Episode 14 |
| Deal Status | Accepted a deal with Lori Greiner and Katrina Lake |
| Revenue | Over $20 million in annual revenue as of recent reports |
| Current Status | Active |
The Story Behind Pair Eyewear
Co-founder Nathan started this venture because ever since he was a kid, he wore glasses and faced all the challenges that came with them. There weren’t as many options, and the pair he would wear wouldn’t always match his outfit or the event.
For parents, it is no less than a struggle; their kids throw tantrums about wearing glasses, and the cost is high!
To solve all these problems, both entrepreneurs decided to launch their own brand. Their products are customizable, and they have fun clip-on frames. The best part is that they are sold for a fraction of the price of big-box retailers, as claimed by the founders.
Their mission is to make wearing glasses fun and cost-effective. They are partners with The Eyelliance and donate one pair to a child in need for every pair purchased.
A Series C funding round worth $75M was a major milestone in Pair Eyewear’s journey.
Pair Eyewear’s Product Ecosystem
Pair Eyewear has two categories of products. One is their eyewear, which is a prescription pair of glasses for adults and children. The other is sunglasses, which include both prescription and non-prescription sunglasses. These frames are designed with the idea that they offer the wearer the freedom to express themselves.
Their eyewear system features a base frame and a magnetic top frame. Base frames are, of course, the foundation eyewear. These come in many styles and colors to choose from and are available for both children and adults.
Then there are the top frames, the fun element. These frames are magnetic toppers that attach over the base frames. They attach and detach very smoothly. This entire system lets you play with your looks effortlessly.
A Unique Concept
A unique feature of the glasses is that they can be customized according to a child’s preference. They have cool clip-on frames that can be swapped whenever you want. These extra frames help you match your eyewear to your mood, so you don’t have to stick to one fixed look all the time. You also don’t need multiple glasses for every occasion.
Another amazing feature of the brand is that it collaborates with popular brands and themes. That’s why they have such a wide range of products that cater to many different tastes.
Pair Eyewear’s Pricing Strategy
The price for a base frame is $60. At this price, you can get single-vision prescription lenses with scratch-resistant and anti-glare coatings. These base frames come in different styles and colors. The top frames range from $25 to $30 each.
This pricing strategy allows customers to avoid feeling overwhelmed by expensive price tags. They can simply pick the base of their choice and buy the topper according to their preference.
Apart from frames, they offer lens add-ons too. For example, if you are looking for blue light filtering, it will cost you $49. Premium Plus lenses are available for $59, and they also have light-responsive lenses that cost $149.
Pair Eyewear offers amazing services that take care of all your purchase-related needs. They ask for a prescription from the doctor or the doctor’s number to ensure your eyewear has no issues.
The company has a virtual try-on system, allowing you to see which glasses suit you best. Their customer support is reportedly active and takes care of all your queries.
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Market Dynamics
It is interesting to notice a drastic shift in the brand’s target audience. Initially, Pair Eyewear started by catering to children’s eyewear needs. Slowly, they realized a shift in their customer base, and they started having more adult customers.
Approximately 90% of their customers are now adults, whereas, in the beginning, 90% were actually kids. They have a high customer return rate, mainly consisting of adults.
The global eyewear market is extremely big. It was valued at USD 183.36 billion in 2023. The market is expected to grow to an even larger size. This growth is due to an increase in eye impairment cases.
And on a more jolly note, customers are looking for more fashionable pieces, meaning an expansion in the range of options.
Pair Eyewear fits well into the market because they have identified a crucial gap. They offer the opportunity to bring variety to the glasses people wear, which previously was not that common.
The company lets you customize and personalize your eyewear. They combine fashion and function very well. Their pricing strategy makes it possible for customers to get different looks. It attracts more customers as it is relatively lower priced.
Pair Eyewear’s Expansion Roadmap
Pair Eyewear has an online DTC model. They don’t rely on third-party retailers. Customers interact with the company’s official website for any purchase. This gives the company control over its brand image, pricing, and even relationship-building with customers.
They outsource manufacturing to places where it is cheaper, like China. This method helps them achieve efficient and scalable production.
The business has a lot of capacity to scale, as it has successfully raised enough money through funding. Since the business operates through online means, it does not rely on brick-and-mortar investment.
Raw materials are sourced from places globally to optimize costs. They ship products directly to customers, eliminating the need for a middleman. Manufacturing is centralized in Asia, giving them an edge over competitors.
Future growth could include partnerships with optical retailers. They are currently focusing on the US, but they could aim to make the business global as well.
Right now, they are primarily online, but they could consider opening pop-up stores. As for product line expansion, launching smart eyewear could be a possible step.
Pair Eyewear’s Business Model
Pair Eyewear runs on a smooth online business model. They generate revenue through online sales and also have subscription options, which generate steady, continuous revenue growth. Their partnerships and collaborations with brands help them grow their sales, too.
The modular nature of their products ensures that customers return to them. Since customers would want to purchase the magnetic topper instead of buying new glasses altogether, they return to Pair Eyewear after buying one base frame from them.
This increases lifetime customer value (LTV). They rely on automation and not human labor, which helps them cut down production costs.
Their primary sales come from their official website, but they are also in 100+ America’s Best stores. They are strong at the partnership game. They have partnered with brands like Marvel and Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation. To attract fashion-forward consumers, they collaborate with trendy brands.
Fueling Pair Eyewear’s Growth
Pair Eyewear uses its funds for many initiatives that help grow its business:
- They automated US manufacturing.
- Invested in market reach to the U.K. and Australia.
- Spent on increasing their presence in physical retail stores.
- Made their way to America’s Best stores.
These growth initiatives have been supported by the following funding rounds:
| Funding Round | Amount Raised | Date | Investors |
| Seed Funding | Not specified | N/A | N/A |
| Series A | $12 million | April 2021 | N/A |
| Series B | $60 million | December 2021 | N/A |
| Series C | $75 million | October 2023 | Prysm Capital, NEA, Javelin Venture Partners |
Pair Eyewear has streamlined its supply ordering system, boosting efficiency and saving money, though it’s unclear if they’re using specific purchase order financing (borrowing against orders).
They’ve raised funds by selling company shares to investors like Prysm Capital, NEA, and Javelin Venture Partners, but information on any loans or other debts is unavailable.
Financial Health & Growth
Pair Eyewear has seen impressive growth in the previous years. As of June 2024, their annual revenue surpassed $25 million. It is noteworthy to note that they had a 1,305% revenue increase over the past two years.
Their exact profit figures are not publicly available. They raised $145 million in funding, which they used to grow their business. With their well-managed financial system, they seem to be on track for success.
Eye-to-Eye with the Competition
Pair Eyewear is in a tough market selling glasses. They have to compete with big, established companies and also with things like contact lenses and sunglasses. Here’s how Pair Eyewear compares to others in the market:
| Feature / Brand | Pair Eyewear | Warby Parker | Zenni Optical | Luxottica |
| Customization | Magnetic toppers for endless personalization | Limited styles and colors | Basic customization, including frame color and shape. | Mostly fixed styles with licensed luxury brands |
| Target Audience | Kids and adults looking for fun & pocket-friendly style | Fashion-forward adults | Budget-conscious buyers | Premium and luxury consumers |
| Pricing | Base frame $60, toppers $25–$30 | Frames start at $95 (with lenses) | Frames start at ~$7 | It varies, but generally high-end pricing |
| Lens Add-Ons | Blue light, light-responsive, Premium Plus lenses | Blue light, light-responsive | Blue light, photochromic lenses are available | Available, depending on the brand |
| Sales Model | Direct-to-customer
(online) |
Online and retail stores | Online only | Wholesale and retail (via brands like Ray-Ban) |
| Unique Selling Point | Interchangeable top frames | Home try-on program | Ultra-low pricing | Portfolio of luxury eyewear brands |
| Brand Partnerships | Marvel, Disney, Harry Potter, and The NBA | None (proprietary designs) | None | Licensed designer brands (e.g., Prada, Gucci) |
The company has to deal with strong competition, changing fashion trends, and potential problems with getting their products manufactured and shipped.
Who Should Try Pair Eyewear?
Pair Eyewear is a great fit for:
- Kids and Parents: Pair eyewear makes cheerful pieces that resonate with kids. They have expanded their range of pieces for grown-ups, too.
- Style Chameleons: Someone who loves switching up their look should try Pair Eyewear. It lets you match your eyewear to your mood, outfit, or even fandom.
- Budget-Conscious Shoppers: If you’re looking for quality glasses without the designer price tag, Pair Eyewear is the right choice.
- Remote Workers and Screen Users: It’s ideal for those who spend long hours in front of screens. The company makes lens add-ons like blue light filtering that are perfect for screens.
- Socially-Conscious Consumers: Pair donates one pair of glasses for every pair sold. So, if you are someone who believes in giving back to society, this could be your way of doing that.
Pair Eyewear’s Multifaceted Marketing
The brand’s marketing channels are diverse, and it is safe to say that the company is keeping up with modern times. They have a strong social media presence. On Instagram, they have 372K followers and create engaging as well as informative content.
Pair Eyewear is also established on YouTube, promoting mostly glasses for adults. They also engage in influencer marketing.
The pros and cons of Pair Eyewear for your closer understanding of the brand are added below:
| Pros | Cons |
| Reasonable pricing | Toppers might seem “too much” to some people. |
| Stylish and Trendy licensed designs | Playful styles may not fit well in professional settings. |
| They donate a pair of eyewear for every pair sold. | Some customers showed concerns about delays in shipping. |
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Team Structure & Logistics Strategy
The company has a well-functioning team structure. They have Founders and an Executive Team that make major decisions about the vision, strategy, and long-term goals. Pair Eyewear stands out from its competition for magnetic toppers, so it is clear they have a great product development team.
The company also has a Marketing & Branding Team that oversees all the campaigns and promotions. This team also handles the company’s social media image.
The exact locations of Pair Eyewear’s warehouses are not specified, but the company manages its logistics to ensure efficient order fulfillment. They offer free shipping on orders around the US. Customers also get a 30-day return and exchange policy.
Along with that, their customer service team works efficiently.
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Growing and Going!
Pair Eyewear launched new products with its magnetic topper technology. In March 2025, they introduced new colors for the base frame: honey, grey, and lavender. They keep experimenting with designs.
Pair Eyewear started its business in the US and Canada. It has witnessed geographical expansion, and they are now in the United Kingdom and Australia.
They collaborated artistically with renowned institutions like The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Van Gogh Museum. The company is environmentally conscious and uses 100% recycled packaging.
Eyeing Success with Awards & TV Spots
The entrepreneurs were finalists for Ernst & Young’s New York Entrepreneur Of The Year awards. They have taken their venture to platforms like CBS Mornings Plus and Shark Tank Season 14.
Customer feedback for Pair Eyewear is somewhat mixed. They have received good as well as poor reviews. Good reviews praise the brand’s customization options and affordability. Bad reviews mention poor customer service or concerns regarding product quality.
They even launched their Friends collection on the series’ 30th anniversary. They have followers on social media, showing they are liked.
The Future of Frames
Short-term future plans for the brand definitely include more collaborations and new product launches, as they have been doing. In the long term, they could consider experimenting with smart frames and expanding globally.
The anticipated challenges for the brand could come from its competition, like EssilorLuxottica. If larger companies started innovating new smart eyepieces, Pair Eyewear could be left behind in the market.
New industry trends include smart technology integration with spectacles. Earlier, glasses were not that stylish; they were more of a medical tool, but now, the optical accessories industry is also fusing fashion elements into it.
FAQs
1. Is Pair Eyewear really worth the hype?
The product is likely worth it. However, it depends on personal choice. The glasses are made for a fun, quirky vibe. It offers affordable alternatives to expensive frames.
2. What happened to Pair Eyewear after Shark Tank?
Pair Eyewear secured investment and grew after appearing on Shark Tank. They now sell glasses for adults. They have deals with big brands. Their team got much bigger, and now they even sell in other countries.
3. Who is the CEO of Pair Eyewear?
The co-founders and co-CEOs of Pair Eyewear are Sophia Edelstein and Nathan Kondamuri.
4. What makes Pair Eyewear unique?
Pair Eyewear stands out for its innovative use of magnets in its glasses. Each pair features a base frame that allows you to snap on interchangeable top frames in seconds. This lets you change your look faster.
