Sunglasses start-up has world in its sights

La Louvière company Pyke, a successful brand of sunglasses for kids, has Japan, France and Spain in its sights as it prepares to expand abroad. 

BabyPyke, launched in December 2015, is a range of locally made sunglasses in eight colours for the under-threes, priced at €49. They are currently available from about 30 sales points in Wallonia and Brussels, the Pyke website and Amazon.

Former financial consultant Isabelle Van Steenkiste founded the company after a futile search for sunglasses for her nephew.

A Walloon Region grant of €12,500 helped her test and develop her product, and in 2016 the company raised funds via Sambrinvest and private investors from the Be Angels network.

www.pyke-sunglasses.com