Nairobi-based Mamy Eyewear has announced a strategic investment from Japan’s Ikemori Venture Support (IVS) to accelerate its growth ambitions across East Africa. The investment amount was not disclosed. The partnership is positioned to support the company’s vertically integrated retail approach, targeting the gap in affordable and accessible vision care, and to provide strategic support as Mamy scales.
Addressing the East African Eyewear Gap
Across the region, access to vision correction is often limited by cost and availability of services. Mamy Eyewear was built to challenge that status quo by offering stylish prescription glasses at prices starting around $15, alongside free AI-powered eye tests and fast turnaround on prescription lenses, in some cases within as little as two hours.
The company attributes this speed and pricing to a vertically integrated, direct-to-consumer model that reduces middlemen and keeps more of the value chain under one roof. By controlling design, retail, and parts of fulfillment locally, Mamy aims to maintain quality while keeping eyewear accessible to a broader customer base.
Strategic Leadership and Vision for Scale
Mamy Eyewear is led by CEO Antoine Drouet, who has framed the IVS partnership as both capital support and strategic backing for efficient expansion. The announcement also highlights engagement from IVS Managing Director Takaaki Nishino and includes support from sector leaders such as Alain Bruguerolle (described publicly in connection with the announcement, though not formally stated as a board role in the post).
The startup’s impact narrative is reinforced by its partnership with Dot Glasses, which supports access to eyewear in underserved communities. With IVS support, Mamy positions itself to expand its model across East Africa while continuing to emphasize affordability, speed, and access.
Mamy Eyewear’s new backing marks a step toward making optical services more available to a wider population. The company is betting that a blend of AI-enabled testing, accessible pricing, and streamlined operations can turn vision care from a luxury into a standard across the region, as it works toward broader East African expansion.