MODO Eyewear

What MODO Eyewear does

MODO Eyewear is a privately held independent eyewear brand founded in 1990 and headquartered at 594 Broadway in New York, with international operations run through MODO Eyewear Srl in Milan. The company designs, manufactures, and distributes optical frames and sunglasses across eight distinct collections — Acetate, Brooklyn Made, HD Acetate, Legacy, Paper-Thin, Titanium, THREE.3 Rimless, and 3D Lab — spanning $100 to $500 price points. Core technology centers on lightweight construction, using titanium components as light as 3.3 grams, high-density acetate, additive-manufactured 3D-printed frames, and proprietary patented screwless hinges deployed across multiple lines, supplemented by HCD polarized nylon lenses with oleophobic and hydrophobic coatings.

MODO operates a hybrid go-to-market combining exclusive wholesale to a global network of independent professional optical retailers — ordered through the ModoBiz B2B portal on NuOrder — with direct-to-consumer e-commerce on modo.com offering free worldwide shipping and 45-day returns. The company extends its reach through the HOUSE of MODO multi-brand portfolio, which includes the Eco sustainable collection, Italia Independent (acquired September 2023), and LOWERCASE. A long-running social-impact partnership with the Seva Foundation, established in 2013, ties each frame sold to vision care for children in need and has reached more than 2 million children to date.

The business is organized across two legal entities — Tworoger Associates, Ltd. (dba MODO Eyewear) for the Americas and MODO Eyewear Srl for International Markets — with no publicly disclosed revenue and no prior institutional funding on record until a $100 million round led by Valiant Asset Management in October 2025. Headcount sits in the 101–250 range, and the company continues to invest in US field sales, retailer recruitment, and product portfolio expansion across North American and European markets.

Name

MODO Eyewear

Legal name

MODO Eyewear

Website

https://modo.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

MODO Eyewear is a privately held independent eyewear brand founded in 1990 that designs, manufactures, and distributes premium optical frames and sunglasses globally through wholesale professional optical retailers and direct-to-consumer e-commerce. Its eight collections span $100–$500, leveraging patented screwless hinges, ultra-light titanium, and 3D-printed manufacturing.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Designer Eyewear

NAICS

Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing (339115), Optical Goods Retailers (45613)

SIC

Ophthalmic Goods (3851)

akta.pro primary industry

Prescription Eyewear Frames (Optical) (CRAAAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sunglasses (Non-Prescription) (CRAAAKAB), Luxury & Designer Eyewear (CRAAAKAD)

Keywords

• Designer eyewear frames
• Premium sunglasses
• Lightweight titanium frames
• Prescription eyeglasses
• Acetate optical frames

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Eyewear Frame Sales: MODO generates revenue through the sale of eyeglass frames and sunglasses directly to consumers via e-commerce and to optical retailers through wholesale B2B channels. Products are sold as one-time purchases with prices ranging from $100 to $500 depending on collection and materials.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

MODO Eyewear designs, manufactures, and sells lightweight premium eyeglasses and sunglasses across eight distinct collections, including acetate, titanium, HD acetate, Brooklyn-made, paper-thin, and 3D-printed frames. The company distributes through wholesale to professional optical retailers via its ModoBiz B2B portal and directly to consumers through its e-commerce website modo.com, with prices ranging from $100 to $500 per frame.

Product overview

MODO Eyewear is an independent eyewear brand that has been delivering lightweight, high-quality eyewear since 1990. The company offers a diverse portfolio organized across eight distinct collections: Acetate Collection (high-quality acetate frames), Brooklyn Made Collection (handcrafted in Brooklyn), HD Acetate Collection (high-density slimmer frames), Legacy Collection (timeless titanium and acetate silhouettes), Paper-Thin Collection (ultra-light titanium and TR90), Titanium Collection (premium titanium frames), THREE.3 Rimless Collection (ultra-light screwless titanium as light as 3.3g), and 3D Lab Collection (additive manufacturing). Product categories include eyeglasses and sunglasses featuring proprietary lens technologies such as High Chromatic Definition (HCD) polarized lenses, impact-resistant nylon lenses, and hydrophobic/oleophobic coatings. The company also operates a social impact initiative 'Buy a Frame – Help a Child See' in partnership with Seva, having helped over 2 million children, and a B2B portal (ModoBiz) for retail partners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Eco: Sustainable eyewear collection
• Italia Independent
• LOWERCASE
• HOUSE of MODO

Products and services

• Acetate Collection Eyewear frames crafted from high-quality acetate, known for strength, comfort, and expressive color with clean shapes and refined finishes. Contemporary eyewear with classic foundation, available as eyeglasses and sunglasses for end consumers and optical retailers.
• Brooklyn Made Collection Eyewear handmade in Brooklyn, celebrating New York's creative spirit through modern shapes and precise craftsmanship. Frames blend style, quality, and distinctly urban character, priced at $100 per frame.
• HD Acetate Collection High-density acetate creates slimmer, lighter frames with sharper color and definition. Crafted for durability with clean premium finish.
• Legacy Collection Timeless silhouettes crafted in acetate or titanium, balancing classic texture and contemporary lightness. Revisits MODO's earliest design principles of lightness, precision, and clean lines.
• Paper-Thin Collection Titanium and TR90 combine for exceptionally light and flexible frames. Designed for all-day comfort with modern durability, clean minimal engineering, and innovative craftsmanship.
• Titanium Collection Premium titanium eyewear offering exceptional strength, lightness, and flexibility. Clean silhouettes create refined modern look, engineered for everyday comfort, priced at $500 per frame.
• THREE.3 Rimless Collection Ultra-light titanium components weighing as little as 3.3 grams with patented screwless hinges. Refines eyewear to its most essential form.
• 3D Lab Collection Advanced additive manufacturing creates lightweight structures with sculpted detail and modern matte finishes. Engineered for durability and clean contemporary expression.
• Eyeglasses Lightweight prescription glasses shaped by modern materials and refined design. Clean lines and advanced engineering offer lasting comfort. Minimal and elevated for everyday wear, segmented into Feminine and Masculine sub-collections.
• Sunglasses Lightweight sunglasses designed with premium lenses and clean modern silhouettes. Crafted for clarity, protection, and everyday ease with HCD polarized lenses, impact resistance, and UV protection, priced from $249 to $275 per pair.
• ModoBiz B2B Portal B2B wholesale ordering portal for professional optical retailers to browse collections, place orders, and access marketing assets, retail displays, and POP materials.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2 million children helped through vision programs since 2013

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• SevacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013MODO and Seva established a partnership in 2013 centered on the 'Buy a Frame – Help a Child See' program, where for every MODO frame purchased, one pair is given to a child in need of ophthalmic help. This collaboration has helped more than 2 million children and led to a second initiative called Vision Center, where MODO supports the establishment of vision centers in India and Nepal.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Warby Parker: Vertically integrated eyewear brand selling prescription frames and sunglasses direct-to-consumer and through its own retail stores. Comparable to MODO because both compete for the same premium independent optical consumer, though Warby Parker is DTC-led while MODO is wholesale-led.
• Garrett Leight California Optical: Independent premium eyewear brand founded in 2010, selling acetate and titanium frames through optical retailers and DTC. Comparable to MODO as an independent premium optical brand with similar distribution model and target consumer.
• Moscot: Family-owned New York optical brand operating since 1915, selling premium optical frames and sunglasses through its own stores and select retailers. Comparable to MODO as a heritage independent premium optical brand with NYC roots and similar price positioning.
• Cutler and Gross: British independent luxury eyewear brand founded in 1969, selling premium optical frames and sunglasses through optical retailers and own stores. Comparable to MODO as a heritage independent premium optical brand with similar craftsmanship-led positioning.
• SALT Optics: Independent premium optical brand based in California, handcrafting optical and sunglasses from acetate and titanium. Comparable to MODO as a similarly sized independent premium optical brand using premium materials, sold through independent optical retailers.
• Jacques Marie Mage: Independent luxury eyewear brand producing limited-edition handmade optical frames and sunglasses. Comparable to MODO as a premium independent optical brand competing for the same design-conscious optical retailer and consumer.
• Oliver Peoples: Premium independent optical brand owned by EssilorLuxottica, distributed through optical retailers and own stores. Closely comparable to MODO as a premium optical frame and sunglasses brand sold to the same independent optical channel at similar price points.
• Persol: Heritage Italian luxury eyewear brand owned by EssilorLuxottica, sold through optical retailers and own retail. Comparable to MODO as a premium designer eyewear brand targeting similar optical retailers, though materially larger and with broader distribution.

Broad incumbents

• Safilo Group: Global eyewear manufacturer and distributor owning multiple licensed and proprietary eyewear brands (e.g., Carrera, Polaroid). Comparable to MODO as a multi-brand eyewear player serving the same optical retailer channel, though at substantially larger scale and via licensed brand portfolio.
• Tom Ford Eyewear: Global luxury fashion eyewear line licensed through EssilorLuxottica, distributed through optical retailers and luxury department stores. Comparable to MODO in the premium optical channel but with materially larger scale, brand recognition, and marketing budget.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat2 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/modoeyewear
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/modo
• Instagraminstagram.com/modoeyewear
• Pinterestpinterest.se/modoeyewear
• Xx.com/modoeyewear

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about MODO Eyewear