Viu raises funds to fuel expansion in key markets

15.10.2018 09:00, Philipp Gollmer

Swiss eyewear startup VIU has raised funding from Eight Roads Ventures, a British venture capitalist. The funds will be used to continue investing in product design, customer experience, and international expansion in key markets such as the UK and France.

Founded in 2013, VIU is disrupting the eyewear market by offering customers high-end design and superior product quality at an attractive prize. The startup, which ranked among Switzerland’s TOP 100 from 2015 to 2018, combines Swiss product design and high-end materials with traditional manufacturing in the Italian Dolomites or on Honshu Island in Japan. VIU operates over 40 flagship stores across Austria, Denmark, Sweden, Germany and Switzerland and will open two more in London and Paris in the first quarter of next year.

The new funding comes from Eight Road Ventures, its first strategic investor. Before, VIU only raised money from family offices and private investors. With the undisclosed amount from the British venture capitalist - likely in the double-digit millions - the startup wants to invest in international expansion, customer experience and product design. One innovation will be 3D-scanners to scan the faces of the customers and make the glasses fit even better.

VIU was part of the Venture Leaders China roadshow in 2017. Co-founder Peter Kaeser, who was on the trip, said: "The Venture Leaders trip is a unique opportunity to dive into the Chinese environment and to meet business contacts and investors within a short period of time."