Challenge statement:
How might we enhance the eye care patient experience?
This challenge is open to solutions that address one or more of the following tracks:
Track one: Empowering patients
Does your solution enable patients to proactively manage their eye health?
E.g. Find-a-provider apps, symptom checkers, digital therapeutics, patient education
Track two: Scaling access
Does your solution increase patient and provider access to novel eye care solutions and experiences?
E.g. NEMT-for-optometry, portable and handheld devices, smart eyewear or wearables, care navigation
Track three: Elevating care
Does your solution aid optometrists in providing an elevated patient experience?
E.g., Dr. co-pilots, ambient medical scribes, AI-enabled disease detection, audiology integration
Who should apply?
- Vision care startups and technologies with solutions addressing one or all of the above tracks
- Non-vision care startups and technologies with a compelling use case for enhancing the eye care experience, whether that’s by empowering patients, scaling access to eye care, or strengthening the bond between eye care and general health
- Startups and technologies with a connection to a trend in VSP ‘Future Eye: 10 Vision Trends Transforming Healthcare’ report, such as a digital therapeutic addressing myopia or smart eyewear with built-in health tracking
Timeline
April 15: Applications open
June 7: Applications close
June 28: Cohort announced
July 15-August 9: 4-week startup bootcamp
August 15: Final showcase (in person at MATTER)
Challenge statement:
Seeking novel solutions that improve care outcomes and address areas of health inequity
Selection criteria:
Preference will be given to college students and early-stage entrepreneurs
Preference will be given to underrepresented founders
Who should apply?
We’re seeking undergraduate students, graduate students and early career professionals from across the globe who are developing a technology solution that addresses health inequities.
Timeline
April 29, 2024: Applications open
June 7, 2024: Applications close
June 28, 2024: Cohort announced
July 15–September 6, 2024: 8-week accelerator
Week of September 9, 2024: Final Showcase