Crédit Agricole Private Equity
Renaud Poulard, Partner, Venture Capital
Crédit Agricole Private Equity invests in Confortvisuel.com, an online eyewear retailer
For immediate release – September 15, 2010
Crédit Agricole Private Equity is investing €2 million in Confortvisuel.com, an online eyewear retailer run by Thomas Sinclair Laboratoires.
Founded in 2004 by Yves Jacquot, Confortvisuel.com began by selling a range of non-prescription “optical” products (sunglasses, magnifying glasses, etc.). The site extended its activity to prescription eyewear at the end of 2009, when online retailing of prescription lenses was authorized in France.
Confortvisuel.com now sells prescription eyewear and sunglasses for consumers as well as optical equipment for specialists and professionals (doctors, dentists, the visually impaired, etc.). The site aims to become one of the leading online opticians in France offering a broad range of designer and “own brand” frames.
“We are delighted to have the support of a reputed financial investor like Crédit Agricole Private Equity. The new funds will help accelerate growth in our online opticians business and, more particularly, in prescription eyewear.”
“Selling prescription eyewear online, which has only recently been authorized in France, is a wonderful opportunity. In due course, it will provide consumers with an extensive choice, particularly in terms of price, depth of product range and quality. In European countries where online retailing of prescription eyewear has been authorized for several years, we have observed the success of companies positioned in this sector.”
Press contact
Crédit Agricole Private Equity
Martine Sessin-Caracci
About Crédit Agricole Private Equity
Crédit Agricole Private Equity is an AMF-accredited asset-management subsidiary of Crédit Agricole, specialising in direct private-equity investment in non-listed companies.
A multi-specialist player, Crédit Agricole Private Equity’s team of 95 professionals manages €3 billion with specific expertise in LBO & Expansion, Venture Capital, Mezzanine, Co-Investment, Renewable Energy and PPP Infrastructure.
The 12-strong venture capital team manages €430 million through FCPIs invested in young companies with high growth potential in 2 sectors: information technology and life sciences.
Crédit Agricole Private Equity has signed up to the United Nations’ Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). www-rec.omnescapital.com
About ConfortVisuel.com
Founded in 2004, Confortvisuel.com sells a comprehensive range of optical products including prescription eyewear, sunglasses, sports eyewear, magnifying glasses and professional optical equipment. The company has been approved by the French state social security system and private top-up health organizations since 2007. It also has a showroom in Paris where customers can test and adjust their prescription eyewear. www.confortvisuel.com