Nexeye

I would like to thank 3i for a true partnership under which we successfully created a leading omnichannel optical platform. We strengthened and developed our organization, modernised and opened stores and realised a step change in omnichannel and digital innovation.

Key achievements

• customers across c. 700 stores

• Under 3i’s ownership, nexeye pursued an organic and buy and build growth strategy and championed a value-for-money offering for customers. 3i generated proceeds of c.€481 million by the time of its exit in 2024 with 2.1x MM.

• Transformed the business from a local optical discounter to the value-for-money leader

• Doubled sales and EBITDA over 7 years

• Acquired eyes + more in 2019, adding Germany as a key growth market, and more than doubled eyes + more’s store footprint in Germany in 5 years

• Invested in new stores, refurbished the existing network, strengthened the team and transformed the digital infrastructure to a best-in-class setup

• Recruited and partnered with the newly recruited CEO and CFO through 3i's Business Leaders Network

• Re-focused the business model towards digitally generated appointments, accelerated digital marketing and CRM capabilities and drove store productivity through digital planning

Funding history

• Alpha Investments and Alpinvest invested in Hans Anders (later renamed nexeye) in 2011 and fully exited to 3i Group in 2017 (majority owner)

• 3i Group fully exited the business in 2024 with a sale to KKR

Find out more

Visit Nexeye website

Visit 3i website