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