Warby Parker

Four Wharton School classmates, Neil Blumenthal, Dave Gilboa, Andrew Hunt, and Jeffrey Raider, launched Warby Parker in 2010 with a specific goal: to break the monopoly held by Luxottica on the eyewear market. They introduced a direct-to-consumer model that allowed customers to buy prescription glasses online at a fraction of the traditional retail cost. The company's initial success relied heavily on its Home Try-On program, which let shoppers test five frames at home for free before committing to a purchase.

The business evolved from an online-only startup into a hybrid retailer with over 200 physical locations across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. These brick-and-mortar stores now generate the majority of revenue, offering full eye exams by licensed optometrists alongside frame sales. In late 2026, the company signaled a major strategic pivot by preparing to launch Android XR smart glasses in partnership with Google, marking its first entry into wearable technology hardware. [edit]