Kenya-based optical retailer, Mamy Eyewear has secured strategic investment from Japanese family office Ikemori Venture Support (IVS), marking a significant milestone in its ambition to expand access to affordable, stylish, and technology-driven eyecare services across East Africa.
Although the amount raised is not disclosed, the funding is expected to accelerate Mamy Eyewear’s regional expansion, strengthen its operations, and reinforce its position as a leading player in Africa’s evolving consumer health and retail landscape.
The investment brings not only capital but also strategic guidance from IVS, a Japan-based investor known for backing high-impact businesses across Africa and Asia.
Mamy’s founder and CEO, Antoine Drouet, described the partnership as transformative, noting that IVS’s expertise in consumer and retail sectors would help the company “scale efficiently while strengthening our operational foundation” as it works to redefine access to eyecare in the region.
Addressing a Widespread Eyecare Gap in Africa
Across Africa, millions of people lack access to affordable and reliable eyecare services, with the high cost of prescription glasses and limited availability of modern optical stores remaining major barriers.
Mamy Eyewear was founded to directly tackle this challenge by combining affordability, accessibility, and style into a single, customer-focused offering.
The company has positioned itself as more than just a retailer, but as a solution to a long-standing public health and quality-of-life issue.
By offering prescription glasses starting at US$15, Mamy significantly lowers the entry barrier for customers who would otherwise go without corrective eyewear, addressing a critical but often overlooked need in the region.
A Vertically Integrated, Technology-Driven Business Model
At the core of Mamy Eyewear’s growth is its vertically integrated, direct-to-consumer business model, which allows the company to control key parts of the value chain, from eye testing to product delivery.
This approach helps reduce costs, eliminate unnecessary intermediaries, and ensure faster service.
Through its network of modern optical stores, Mamy provides free AI-powered eye tests, a contemporary retail environment, and the ability to deliver prescription glasses in as little as two hours.
This seamless, technology-enabled experience has set a new benchmark for optical retail in East Africa, combining speed, affordability, and customer convenience in a market that has traditionally lagged behind global standards.
Strategic Investment from Ikemori Venture Support
The investment from Ikemori Venture Support reflects growing international confidence in African consumer health and retail startups with scalable models and measurable social impact.
IVS is a Japan-based family office that focuses on positive-impact businesses and high-potential consumer and technology ventures across Africa and Asia.
Commenting on the deal, Takaaki Nishino, managing director of IVS, said the investment aligns with the firm’s long-term vision.
“This investment reflects IVS’s focus on high-potential ventures with the capacity to create meaningful, long-term impact,” he said, adding that “Mamy Eyewear combines innovation, operational excellence, and a clear commitment to expanding access to essential eyecare services.”
According to Nishino, these qualities made Mamy a compelling partner for IVS’s Africa strategy.
Scaling Across East Africa with Operational Excellence
With the new backing, Mamy Eyewear plans to expand its footprint across East Africa, scaling its network of optical stores while strengthening its internal operations.
Founder and CEO Antoine Drouet emphasized that the partnership goes beyond funding, highlighting the strategic value of IVS’s experience in retail and consumer markets.
“IVS’s strategic guidance and extensive experience in consumer and retail sectors will help us scale efficiently while strengthening our operational foundation,” Drouet said.
He added that the company’s ambition is to “build the reference optical retail brand in East Africa and continue transforming access to eyecare throughout the region,” signaling a long-term vision for market leadership.
A Growing Intersection of Health, Retail, and Impact Investing
Mamy Eyewear’s latest funding round underscores a broader trend of impact-driven investment flowing into African startups that combine commercial viability with essential services.
By leveraging technology, vertical integration, and a strong retail experience, Mamy is positioning itself at the intersection of healthcare access and consumer innovation.
With strategic support from a global investor like IVS, the startup is well-placed to not only grow its business but also play a pivotal role in improving eyecare outcomes for millions across East Africa, setting a powerful example of how purpose-driven enterprises can scale sustainably in emerging markets.
Talking Points
Mamy Eyewear’s strategic investment from Ikemori Venture Support speaks strong international confidence in its business model and social mission.
Yet the company’s long-term success will hinge on its ability to balance rapid expansion with operational depth and healthcare quality across diverse East African markets.
The vertically integrated, technology-driven approach offers clear advantages in cost control and speed of service, still scaling AI-powered eye testing and fast-turnaround prescription delivery beyond major urban centres may expose infrastructure, regulatory, and skilled-labour constraints.
Additionally, maintaining affordability while preserving product quality and clinical accuracy will be critical as competition intensifies in Africa’s emerging optical retail space.
The partnership with IVS provides valuable strategic guidance, but Mamy must also navigate local market nuances, varying healthcare standards, and consumer trust in technology-led eyecare.
If effectively managed, the startup could redefine optical retail in the region; however, sustained impact will depend on disciplined execution, transparent clinical standards, and a clear strategy for inclusive expansion beyond early growth hubs.
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