In our Ones to Watch section, we highlight some of the top up and coming businesses in Ireland. This week we feature Ambr Eyewear.
What is it?
Ambr Eyewear is a Dublin-based brand who design fashionable glasses that block blue light, the artificial light from digital devices and screens. For many professionals, spending a lot of time on laptops, phones or tablets is unavoidable, leading to ‘digital eye-strain’.
This growing startup has created a product to help to alleviate common problems related to this eye-strain, such as headaches and migraines, irritation and tiredness. But, unlike its competitors, Ambr Eyewear’s product looks like regular glasses, doesn’t involve tinted lenses and is available in 35 different designs.
The glasses can be worn by those with or without perfect eyesight, as the company provides both prescription and non-prescription.
Who’s behind it?
Ambr Eyewear was founded in May 2017 by Dan Nugent and Sacha Cahill, who both had experience working in the tech sector. The pair realised that the common issue of digital eye-strain could be solved with a range of eyewear that could block this harmful light. However, what existed on the market were solely orange-tinted gamer glasses.
Pairing their passion for marketing and design, and treating the product as a fashion accessory just as much as a health accessory, Dan and Sacha created a range of stylish glasses for screens.
Sacha and Daniel, who have their office in Dun Laoghaire, were recently awarded this year’s Best Startup IBYE for their district.
How is it funded?
The duo used their own savings to start the company, and to this day, Ambr Eyewear remains completely bootstrapped. The company has managed to sell over 15,000 units since it was founded two years ago. The brand has seen significant geographical reach, with sales in over 60 countries across six continents.
This growth has been hugely helped by the vast amount of international media attention the brand has received – featured most notably in Forbes, Huffington Post, Mashable, The Telegraph, CNN and Entrepreneur.com.
Future plans?
Ambr Eyewear has just launched new websites to serve the Spanish, German and French markets. There’s also an upcoming expansion to the Middle East via a strategic partner. Their vision is to become the world’s largest brand in their blue light niche.
They’re currently working hard on some new designs and innovative products to their customers. The pair have plans to open their first brick & mortar store in Dublin city, however they’re keeping the details of this quiet for the time-being.
Dan Nugent and Sacha Cahill
