DAVID KIND
DAVID KIND is a direct-to-consumer luxury eyewear company selling prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses through a 6-day home try-on experience and a patented online photo measurement system, serving individual consumers seeking premium, made-to-order frames.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersSolana Beach, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What DAVID KIND does
DAVID KIND is a direct-to-consumer luxury eyewear company founded in 2013 by David Barton and currently headquartered in Solana Beach, California. The company sells prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses through its own e-commerce storefront, with its signature offering being a 6-day Home Try-On experience in which customers receive six frames—three self-selected and three selected by a personal optician—for at-home evaluation, accompanied by free two-way shipping and no purchase obligation. A physical showroom historically operated at the Venice Beach headquarters, and a non-prescription stocking partnership with Deus Ex Machina provides a boutique retail touchpoint.
The company's central technology is a registered U.S. patent on a Photo Measurement System that captures pupil distance (PD), progressive seg height, and OC height with millimeter-level precision, enabling prescription lens fitting through an entirely online flow. Frames are manufactured in Sabae, Japan and Cadore, Italy, using acetate and titanium with hand-polished finishes and custom 5-barrel rivet hinges. The product portfolio spans Optical Eyeglasses, RX Sunglasses, customizable Sunglass Clips made-to-order in California, multiple lens material tiers (CR39, Trivex, 1.67 and 1.74 Ultra High Index, Transitions), and ancillary services including a 10-year frame warranty, a Refurbish Program, and Gift Cards.
DAVID KIND operates a transaction-based revenue model with no subscription component. Frames are priced at $295-$340 with prescription lenses and standard coatings included; a $20 non-refundable try-on fee is credited toward any purchase within 90 days; and sunglass clips and premium lens options are priced as add-ons. QuadPay integration supports four interest-free installments. Distribution channels are the owned website (national scope), a relocated Solana Beach office, and the Deus Ex Machina retail partnership; an optometrist partnership with Dr. Bryant / HMC Vision in NYC bundles eye exams and lifetime after-sale service. The business has not raised institutional capital and remains founder-controlled by David Barton, with a current headcount of 1-10 employees.
DAVID KIND firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- DAVID KIND
- Legal name
- DAVID KIND, Inc.
- Website
- https://davidkind.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- DAVID KIND is a direct-to-consumer luxury eyewear company selling prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses through a 6-day home try-on experience and a patented online photo measurement system, serving individual consumers seeking premium, made-to-order frames.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
DAVID KIND industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Luxury Prescription Eyewear
- NAICS
- Optical Goods Retailers (45613), Optical Goods Retailers (456130)
- SIC
- Ophthalmic Goods (3851)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Prescription Eyewear Frames (Optical) (CRAAAKAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Luxury & Designer Eyewear (CRAAAKAD), Sunglasses (Non-Prescription) (CRAAAKAB), Eyewear Accessories & Care (Cases, Cleaning, Chains) (CRAAAKAI)
Keywords
Where DAVID KIND is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Solana Beach
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
DAVID KIND business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Eyewear Product Sales: One-time purchase of prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses. Customers pay for frames plus lenses. No subscription required. Frames range from $295-$340. Revenue is transaction-based with individual purchases.
- Try-on/Styling Fee: Non-refundable $20 try-on fee charged when sending the 6-frame try-on set. Credited towards any purchase within 90 days. Multiple try-on fees can be combined for a single purchase.
- Sunglass Clips: Custom sunglass clips made to order by hand in California. Additional charges apply for wire/metal color options (+$200) and polarized lens color (+$50).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard Frame Pricing |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Try-on Set Fee |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Sunglass Clips |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | QuadPay Installment Option |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
DAVID KIND product offering
Product offeringCore offering
DAVID KIND designs, sources and sells handmade luxury prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses directly to consumers through its own e-commerce site. The core proposition pairs Japanese- and Italian-manufactured acetate and titanium frames with high-definition prescription lenses, fitted using a patented photo measurement system and a signature 6-day, 6-frame home try-on experience guided by personal opticians.
Product overview
DAVID KIND is a direct-to-consumer luxury eyewear company offering a unified product experience centered on high-quality prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses. The core offering combines a signature 6-day Home Try-On Experience with frames sourced from Japanese and Italian manufacturers. The product portfolio includes Optical Eyeglasses and RX Sunglasses as primary offerings, with Sunglass Clips as an add-on module for converting prescription glasses to sunglasses. Additional services include lens materials (CR39, Trivex, Ultra High Index variants), a 10-Year Warranty, Refurbish Program, and Gift Cards. The company emphasizes handmade quality with frames made in Japan (Sabae) and Italy (Cadore), featuring custom 5-barrel rivet hinges, hand-polished acetate, and titanium construction.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- 6-Day Home Try-On Experience A core service where customers receive six frames (three self-selected, three optician-selected) to try on at home for six days, with personal optician consultation and free shipping both ways, before purchasing prescription eyewear. Targeted at individual consumers who want to de-risk online eyewear purchases.
- Optical Eyeglasses Prescription eyeglasses in handmade acetate and titanium frames sourced from Japan (Sabae) and Italy (Cadore), paired with high-definition prescription lenses and a 10-year warranty. Sold direct-to-consumer via davidkind.com.
- RX Sunglasses Prescription sunglasses with UV protection and corrective lenses, available in multiple frame styles and lens color options including polarized variants, sold through the DAVID KIND online store.
Quantifiable outcome
- 50% of sales come from frames selected by opticians
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use DAVID KIND
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
DAVID KIND technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature1 record
DAVID KIND partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- New Eyes for the NeedyminorDavid Kind donated 16 pairs of glasses to New Eyes for the Needy, a nonprofit that has been providing basic eyeglasses to poor children and adults in the US and around the world for over 80 years. Donated glasses are sorted and shipped to impoverished countries including Haiti, Ghana, Indonesia, and Senegal.
- Dr. Bryant / HMC VisioncorePartnership with Dr. Bryant, an optometrist in New York City with over 20 years of experience. Dr. Bryant provides comprehensive eye exams using latest refracting technology from his office near 48th St and 8th Ave. Purchases through Dr. Bryant include after-sale service for life of David Kind glasses.
- Deus Ex MachinaminorDeus Ex Machina stocks a selection of David Kind non-prescription frames with mineral glass polarized lenses at their Venice, CA location. Partnership provides retail presence for walk-in customers not ready for prescription purchase.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
DAVID KIND competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- EyeBuyDirect: Online eyewear retailer offering prescription and non-prescription frames at value price points. Comparable DTC e-commerce model with broad assortment.
- GlassesUSA.com: Large online optical retailer selling prescription glasses, sunglasses, and contact lenses. Competes in the online prescription eyewear category with similar fulfillment model.
- Pair Eyewear: DTC eyewear brand focused on customizable, stackable frames for kids and adults. Comparable e-commerce-led model with strong direct consumer emphasis and differentiated product experience.
- Warby Parker: NYSE-listed DTC prescription eyewear pioneer offering home try-on and online ordering. Closest direct competitor, though David Kind targets the luxury tier above Warby Parker's accessible price points.
- Felix Gray: DTC eyewear brand specializing in blue light and computer glasses. Comparable e-commerce-led brand building with premium positioning and direct consumer relationships.
- Zenni Optical: Largest online-only eyewear retailer offering prescription glasses and sunglasses at ultra-low price points. Competes for online eyewear demand though positioned at a much lower price tier than David Kind.
- Garrett Leight California Optical: California-based premium eyewear brand with retail stores and e-commerce. Closely comparable positioning — heritage-inspired, made-in-Japan craftsmanship, premium pricing, and Southern California roots.
Broad incumbents
- Persol: Italian luxury eyewear brand (EssilorLuxottica) with heritage positioning and premium pricing. Comparable craft heritage in the Cadore region of Italy, the same area David Kind sources from.
- Oliver Peoples: Luxury eyewear brand owned by EssilorLuxottica, founded in California with premium positioning and made-in-Japan frames. Represents the larger incumbent David Kind competes against in the luxury tier.
Emerging players
- Lensabl: Online prescription lens replacement service. Adjacent rather than direct competitor, but relevant as another DTC optical play leveraging online ordering and remote fitting.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
DAVID KIND social profiles
Digital presenceDAVID KIND financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
DAVID KIND leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
DAVID KIND funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
DAVID KIND M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about DAVID KIND
What does DAVID KIND do?
DAVID KIND designs, sources and sells handmade luxury prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses directly to consumers through its own e-commerce site. The core proposition pairs Japanese- and Italian-manufactured acetate and titanium frames with high-definition prescription lenses, fitted using a patented photo measurement system and a signature 6-day, 6-frame home try-on experience guided by personal opticians.
Is DAVID KIND a public or private company?
DAVID KIND is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was DAVID KIND founded?
DAVID KIND was founded in 2013. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is DAVID KIND based?
DAVID KIND is headquartered in Solana Beach, United States, in the North America region.
How does DAVID KIND make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Eyewear Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are try-on/Styling Fee and sunglass Clips.
Who are DAVID KIND's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are EyeBuyDirect, GlassesUSA.com, Pair Eyewear, Warby Parker, Felix Gray, Zenni Optical and Garrett Leight California Optical. Broad incumbents are Persol and Oliver Peoples. Lensabl is listed as an emerging player.
Does DAVID KIND have an API?
No public API is recorded for DAVID KIND.
What industry is DAVID KIND in?
DAVID KIND's product category is Luxury Prescription Eyewear. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAAAKAA, Prescription Eyewear Frames (Optical), with a secondary code of CRAAAKAD, Luxury & Designer Eyewear. Its NAICS code is 45613 and its SIC code is 3851.