Peyush Bansal: Wife, Education, Career and Lenskart
How a former Microsoft employee built Lenskart, became a familiar face on Shark Tank India and grew an international eyewear business.
Introduction
Peyush Bansal is the co-founder of Lenskart and one of India’s best-known business personalities. He serves as the company’s Chairman, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.
Many people recognise him from Shark Tank India. His business story started years earlier, with a student website and several attempts to figure out what customers would buy online.
It took time to build.
This Peyush Bansal biography covers his education, early businesses, family, Lenskart career and publicly documented achievements.
Quick Facts About Peyush Bansal
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Peyush Bansal |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Background | Grew up in Delhi |
| Profession | Entrepreneur, business executive and investor |
| Known for | Lenskart and Shark Tank India |
| Current role | Chairman, Managing Director and CEO of Lenskart |
| Engineering qualification | Bachelor of Engineering, honours in electrical engineering |
| University | McGill University, Canada |
| Further education | Entrepreneurship studies at IIM Bangalore |
| Former employer | Microsoft Corporation, United States |
| Wife | Nidhi Mittal Bansal |
| Sister | Neha Bansal, a Lenskart co-founder |
| Early ventures | SearchMyCampus, Flyrr, Watchkart and Bagskart |
| Lenskart online launch | 2010 |
| Estimated net worth | About US$1.2 billion, according to Forbes on 28 October 2026 |
These details are supported by company records, Bansal’s account of his early career and established reporting. His birth date is excluded because published sources disagree.
Early Life and Background
Peyush Bansal grew up in Delhi. Before his name became connected with eyewear stores across India, he was trying to build an internet business from his parents’ home.
The setting was fairly simple.
He worked from the basement of the family house in Greater Kailash, saving money that would otherwise have gone toward office rent. That space became the starting point for his student classifieds venture.
His sister, Neha Bansal, later became one of Lenskart’s co-founders. She is a chartered accountant and now serves as an executive director and global head of merchandising at the company.
Peyush Bansal’s Education
Engineering at McGill University
Bansal studied at McGill University in Canada, earning a bachelor’s degree in engineering with honours in electrical engineering.
Lenskart’s official director profile confirms the qualification. EY’s profile also reports that he earned a place on the university’s Dean’s List.
Entrepreneurship Studies at IIM Bangalore
Bansal later studied entrepreneurship at the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore.
In a first-person account published by The Economic Times, he said he joined a one-year entrepreneurship diploma in mid-2008. Its flexible schedule allowed him to keep checking on his Delhi business while studying.
That distinction matters for his biography. His account describes an entrepreneurship programme, so calling it a conventional MBA would be inaccurate.
His Job at Microsoft
Before starting businesses in India, Bansal worked as a programme manager at Microsoft in the United States.
The job paid well. Still, he wanted to work for himself.
He said he spent about 11 months at Microsoft before returning to India in November 2007. He had an interest in e-commerce, though his exact business idea was still taking shape.
Businesses Before Lenskart
Lenskart was not his first attempt.
Bansal tried several online businesses, learning from the practical problems each one brought.
SearchMyCampus
SearchMyCampus was a classifieds website for college students. It covered needs such as accommodation, jobs and carpooling.
Flyrr
Flyrr sold eyewear online to customers in the United States. The experience helped Bansal understand the difficulties of managing delivery through outside partners.
Watchkart and Bagskart
He also started Watchkart for watches and Bagskart for handbags.
These ventures formed part of his early work in online retail, before Lenskart became the business most closely associated with his name.
How Peyush Bansal Built Lenskart
Why Both 2008 and 2010 Appear in Its History
Lenskart’s history has two dates that often cause confusion.
The company was originally incorporated as Valyoo Technologies Private Limited in 2008. Its online eyewear operations in India started in 2010.
The current corporate website identifies four founders:
- Peyush Bansal
- Neha Bansal
- Amit Chaudhary
- Sumeet Kapahi
So, 2008 refers to the company’s incorporation, while 2010 refers to the launch of its online eyewear business.
Starting With Contact Lenses
Lenskart began by selling contact lenses online. Spectacles and sunglasses followed.
The early business asked customers to try buying eyewear through a website, which was still an unfamiliar choice for many shoppers in India.
Moving Into Physical Stores
Lenskart opened its first retail store in New Delhi in 2013.
Stores gave the company another way to reach people who wanted to try frames before buying. The business now sells through physical shops, its website and mobile applications.
Lenskart’s International Growth
The OWNDAYS Acquisition
In 2022, Lenskart acquired a majority stake in Japanese eyewear company OWNDAYS.
The announcement described a combined network of about 1,500 stores across 13 Asian markets. Both brands would continue operating separately.
It was a big expansion.
The deal gave Lenskart a wider presence in markets outside India, including Japan and Southeast Asia.
Investors and Public Listing
Lenskart attracted backing from major investors, including SoftBank, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, KKR and TPG.
The company became publicly listed in November 2025. Forbes reports that the IPO raised approximately US$821 million.
Store Network in 2026
As of 31 March 2026, Lenskart reported 3,327 stores across 16 countries.
That included 2,609 stores in India. These figures describe its network on that date, rather than a live store count.
Peyush Bansal on Shark Tank India
Bansal joined Shark Tank India in its first season in 2021.
The programme introduced him to viewers who had never followed Lenskart’s funding rounds or business expansion. They could watch him question founders and consider their investment pitches.
His Deal With Jugaadu Kamlesh
One of his most discussed television deals involved Kamlesh Nanasaheb Ghumare, widely known as Jugaadu Kamlesh.
Kamlesh pitched an agricultural equipment business called KG Agrotech. Bansal’s televised offer included ₹10 lakh for 40% equity and an interest-free loan of ₹20 lakh.
Bansal later shared updates about work on the product. The venture continued receiving attention after its original appearance on the show.
Are All Television Deals Completed?
A deal announced during filming is an investment commitment. It may still need due diligence and legal agreements before money changes hands.
That is why television investment totals should be read carefully. They do not always represent completed transactions.
Peyush Bansal’s Wife and Family
Peyush Bansal is married to Nidhi Mittal Bansal, who is also referred to as Nidhi Bansal in reporting.
Her identity is supported by coverage of the Economic Times Awards, where she shared a tribute to her husband. Earlier reporting also identifies the couple together.
Neha Bansal is his sister and a fellow Lenskart co-founder.
Their roles cover different parts of the company. Peyush leads the business as Chairman, Managing Director and CEO, while Neha’s work includes merchandising.
Peyush Bansal’s Net Worth
Forbes estimated Peyush Bansal’s net worth at about US$1.2 billion on 28 October 2026.
The date matters here.
His estimated wealth can change as the value of his investments and company shares changes. It should not be confused with cash available in a bank account.
Salary and Compensation
Lenskart’s FY2025 annual-report material disclosed an annual fixed salary of ₹6 crore for Bansal, effective from 1 April 2025.
It also provided for annual performance-related variable pay of up to 200% of his fixed salary, subject to performance conditions.
These were disclosed compensation terms. They do not establish the exact amount paid in every later year.
Current Work at Lenskart
Bansal continues to lead Lenskart’s business direction and growth.
The company’s 2026 shareholder letter discusses international operations, manufacturing and technology. It also describes B by Lenskart, its smart-glasses offering.
His responsibilities have grown with the company. Running a publicly listed business also brings regular reporting obligations and closer attention from shareholders.
Lenskart Foundation
Lenskart Foundation says it has served communities since 2020.
Its work focuses on vision correction, awareness and access to eye care, particularly among disadvantaged groups and children.
The foundation’s Drishti: Har Gaon, Har Ghar programme started in FY2023. It also lists mobile eye-care services among its projects.
Awards and Recognition
Bansal’s official company profile records these honours:
| Award | Year or presentation date |
|---|---|
| NDTV Indian of the Year — Innovator of the Year | 2024 |
| Economic Times Awards for Corporate Excellence — Entrepreneur of the Year | Presented in March 2025 |
Company material also calls the second honour the Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 award. The award year and presentation date are different.
Public Controversies and Responses
Chartered Accountant Remark
Bansal faced criticism in 2022 after a remark about chartered accountants on Shark Tank India.
He apologised and said the comment had been made in jest.
Dress-Code Controversy
In April 2026, circulated Lenskart grooming instructions drew criticism over restrictions involving religious symbols.
Bansal described the material as outdated, acknowledged an incorrect reference to bindi and tilak, and accepted responsibility for missing the issue earlier.
Lenskart apologised and released updated guidance explicitly permitting religious and cultural symbols.
A Franchise-Related Court Case
A Karnataka High Court order dated 13 August 2026 records a settlement in a franchise-related matter involving Bansal and other petitioners.
Following the settlement, the court quashed the FIR and related charge sheet in Crime No. 0113/2025.
That outcome applies to the particular case. It should not be used to describe the status of every dispute involving Lenskart.
Peyush Bansal’s Career Timeline
| Year | Career event |
|---|---|
| 2008 | Built his early student classifieds business and registered Valyoo Technologies |
| 2009 | Started Flyrr for the US eyewear market |
| 2010 | Launched Lenskart’s online eyewear operations |
| 2011 | Started Watchkart and Bagskart |
| 2013 | Lenskart opened its first physical store |
| 2021 | Joined Shark Tank India |
| 2022 | Lenskart acquired a majority stake in OWNDAYS |
| 2024 | Received NDTV’s Innovator of the Year honour |
| 2025 | Received the ET entrepreneurship award; Lenskart became publicly listed |
| 2026 | Continued leading the company’s international operations and product development |
The timeline brings together company records, his early career account and established reporting.
Final Thought
Peyush Bansal’s career grew through repeated attempts to understand customers and build a business around their needs.
Some ideas came before Lenskart. Eyewear became his main focus.
His story now includes an international retail company and a public role through Shark Tank India. The early years still explain a lot: he tried ideas, checked what worked and kept learning from the problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Peyush Bansal?
Peyush Bansal is the co-founder, Chairman, Managing Director and CEO of Lenskart. He is also known for appearing on Shark Tank India.
What is Peyush Bansal’s educational qualification?
He holds an honours electrical engineering degree from McGill University in Canada. He also studied entrepreneurship at IIM Bangalore.
Did Peyush Bansal work at Microsoft?
Yes. He worked as a programme manager at Microsoft in the United States before returning to India to start businesses.
Who is Peyush Bansal’s wife?
His wife is Nidhi Mittal Bansal. She is also called Nidhi Bansal in established reporting.
Is Neha Bansal related to Peyush Bansal?
Yes. Neha Bansal is his sister and a Lenskart co-founder. She serves as an executive director and global head of merchandising.
When did Peyush Bansal start Lenskart?
Lenskart’s online eyewear operations began in 2010. The company behind the business was incorporated in 2008.
What is Peyush Bansal’s net worth?
Forbes estimated his net worth at approximately US$1.2 billion on 28 October 2026. The figure changes with market conditions.
What did Lenskart sell first?
Lenskart started with contact lenses online. It later added spectacles and sunglasses.
