The Global Innovation Center (GIC) is VSP Vision's lens into the future.
Through emerging technologies, new business exploration, and strategic connections within the innovation ecosystem, the Global Innovation Center is a hub for reimagining the way eye care and eyewear are delivered to the world. In addition, the GIC initiates scale within three areas of focus:
The Global Innovation Center leads a variety of programs and projects designed to bring outside shifts into VSP Vision’s line of sight, combining external innovations with in-house industry expertise to explore and analyze new products, services, and experiences.
In this ongoing series, the Global Innovation Center spotlights emerging trends and topics that are shaping the future of healthcare, vision care, eyewear, and more.
The Global Innovation Center is actively seeking new startups and technologies to collaborate with on forward-looking innovations in health access equity, sustainability, and patient experience.
A hub for the Global Innovation Center, featuring project spotlights, program announcements, event recaps, thought leadership, and more. View the entire archive here
Turning Barriers into Bridges: How AI is Scaling Access to Care
The Global Innovation Center partnered with Techonomy in New York City for a panel titled “AI for Access: Expanding Care & Benefits Through Innovation," featuring thought leaders from Meta, Thriveworks, Operation Smile, and Open Source Pharma Foundation. Read more here.
The Future of Oculomics: Amplifying the Eye's Role as a Window Into the Body
The Global Innovation Center's ninth Futurist Report explores how advancements in oculomics will expand the scope of care that optometrists can deliver and elevate eye care's role in the broader healthcare continuum. Read more here.
The Global Innovation Center and MATTER Launch Second Innovation Challenge to Source, Advance Eye Care Solutions
Up to six startups will be selected to receive expert mentorship and exclusive resources to refine their solutions and present them live on stage during Vision Expo West. Read more here.
Key Trends from SXSW 2025: 'Phygital Care' and the Rise of Healthcare Influencers
The Global Innovation Center was on the ground at SXSW 2025, the world’s largest innovation conference, to get a first look at the concepts and companies shaping the future. Read more here.
VSP Vision Launches "Lens Into the Future" Virtual Series With Matter
The four-part virtual series will showcase next-gen trends and technologies driving healthcare forward. Read more here.
4 Top Trends We Saw Emerge at CES 2025
While at CES, the Global Innovation Center identified four key trends on the show floor, on stage, and while connecting with technologists from around the globe. Read more here.
Four Healthcare Trends from HLTH 2024
After connecting with many of the 13,000+ attendees, speakers, and exhibitors, the Global Innovation Center spotted four key trends that emerged throughout HLTH 2024. Read more here.
The Global Innovation Center and MATTER Announce the Winners of the VSP Vision Innovation Challenge
The inaugural challenge called on startups to submit solutions for enhancing and elevating the patient eye care experience and its finalists competed for a $10,000 grand prize. Read more here.
Cannes Lions 2024: The Creative Community Embraces AI
Ruth Yomtoubian, Head of VSP Vision’s Global Innovation Center, brought eyecare and vision innovation to Cannes Lions 2024—an iconic event that draws together the creative marketing and technology communities to network, celebrate, and showcase the world’s most groundbreaking campaigns and ideas. Read more here.
Browse the latest media coverage on the Global Innovation Center
Worth and the Global Innovation Center Award 10 Innovators with AI & Health Access Pioneer Award
In partnership with VSP Vision, Techonomy highlighted 10 honorees for their innovative use of AI to expand access to rural communities, underserved patients, and patients with overlooked conditions, among other initiatives. Read more here.
Global Innovation Center Featured in June 2025 Issue of INVISION
The Global Innovation Center was selected for INVISION's "Focused on Tomorrow" list for its second annual Innovation Challenge. INVISION also published a second article on its website featuring an interview with Ruth Yomtoubian. Read both articles here and here.
Techonomy Spotlights 'AI for Health Access' Discussion Co-Hosted with the Global Innovation Center
The event brought together leaders from across healthcare, technology, and social innovation to explore how artificial intelligence is redefining who receives care, when, and how. Read the full article here.
Worth Highlights Global Innovation Center's Presence at SXSW 2025
The Global Innovation Center participated in a panel discussion about AI’s evolving role in business, employee well-being, and the future of work. Read the full article here.
The Global Innovation Center Discusses the Future of Eyecare on The Power Hour Podcast
Ruth Yomtoubian, VP of Global Innovation, joins host Eugene Shatsman to reveal how AI, data, and multi-sensory tech are redefining healthcare and why optometrists need to take notice. Watch or listen to the full episode here.
The Global Innovation Center Discusses Healthcare Innovation on Downtime Procedures Podcast
Host Rich G. Kenney speaks with Ruth Yomtoubian, VP of Global Innovation, about how centralized approaches, futurist insights, and humility in execution can redefine the healthcare landscape. Listen to the full episode here.
Vision Monday Features the Global Innovation Center in Smart Eyewear Cover Story
In "What's New in the Innovative Work of Smart Glasses," Global Innovation Center head Ruth Yomtoubian discusses how smart headsets are transforming the assistive device category. Read the full article here.
Fast Company Spotlights the VSP Vision Innovation Challenge
Fast Company features the inaugural challenge, which called for solutions designed to enhance and elevate the patient eye care experience. Read the full article here.
The Global Innovation Center Joins MATTER in Podcast Discussion About Patient Care
The panel featured three startups that are transforming the eye care experience, making it more accessible, equitable, or health-focused. Read the full article here.
Fast Company Spotlights the Global Innovation Center’s Latest Futurist Report
Fast Company covers the release of “The Future of Senses,” exploring five trends transforming how we experience and augment sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell. Read the full article here.
Worth Highlights the Global Innovation Center’s Presence at Cannes Lions 2024
Worth explores responsible innovation through a panel discussion co-hosted by Global Innovation Center head Ruth Yomtoubian. Read the full article here.
Forbes Showcases Trends from the Global Innovation Center’s SXSW Panel
Forbes features insights from the Global Innovation Center’s SXSW panel session, including five vision trends shaping the future of healthcare. Read the full article here.
INVISION Magazine Spotlights the VSP Vision Innovation Challenge
INVISION Magazine covers the launch of the VSP Vision Innovation Challenge, a global competition to source and support solutions enhancing the eye care patient experience. Read the full article here.
HLTH.com Showcases Key Insights from the Global Innovation Center’s Latest Futurist Report
HLTH.com, the premier community for the healthcare innovation ecosystem, spotlights the Global Innovation Center’s Future of Generative AI in Healthcare report. Read the full article here.
Fast Company Explores the Future of Work with the Global Innovation Center
Fast Company discusses the future of work and how innovative solutions are necessary to meet the needs of the modern workforce with the Global Innovation Center's Ruth Yomtoubian. Read the full article here.
Top Tech Newsletter Spotlights the Global Innovation Center’s Futurist Report Series
Tech market intelligence platform CB Insights features the Global Innovation Center’s Futurist Reports in its flagship newsletter to over 600K+ subscribers. View the newsletter mentions here, here, and here.
Vision Monday Highlights VSP Vision’s Sustainable Eyewear Shipping Box Launch
Vision Monday covers the launch of new responsibly-sourced shipping packages for Eyeconic and Visionworks, a move that was conceived by the Global Innovation Center. Read the article here.
The Global Innovation Center's Joins Coalition to Advance Equitable Design of Healthcare Innovations
The Global Innovation Center's is invited to join the Techquity coalition, an initiative powered by HLTH and Ipsos to ensure that healthcare innovations are designed, developed, and delivered to drive health equity. Read more here.
The Global Innovation Center Partners with Leading Healthcare Accelerator to Drive Innovation in Vision Care
MATTER, the premier healthcare incubator and innovation hub, and the Global Innovation Center announce a new partnership aimed at driving innovation in the vision care industry, with a focus on patient experience, sustainability, and health access. Read more here.
The Global Innovation Center's Partners with eSports Team for Vision Performance Training
The Global Innovation Center's teams up with Kings Guard, the official NBA 2K League affiliate of the Sacramento Kings, to pilot new technology solutions designed to help gamers play their best. Read more here.
The Global Innovation Center Featured in List of Top Healthcare Innovation Labs
Tech market intelligence leader CB Insights features the Global Innovation Center in a comprehensive list of healthcare-focused innovation labs. Browse through the full roundup here.