Newsroom > Company News > Innovation > VSP Vision and MATTER Launch Second Innovation Challenge
RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif. – VSP Vision™, the leader in health-focused vision care, and MATTER, the premier healthcare incubator and innovation hub, announce the launch of the second annual VSP Vision Innovation Challenge, a global competition to source and advance solutions enhancing the eye care experience.
The competition is co-hosted by MATTER and the VSP® Global Innovation Center (GIC), a hub for reimagining how eye care and eyewear are delivered to the world. Topcon Healthcare, Inc. is supporting the 2025 program, offering selected early-stage startups the potential to secure a $400,000 investment from their THINC Ventures capital arm, or for growth-stage startups to present directly to THINC Ventures.
“For 70 years, VSP has been helping people see. As next-gen technologies and research continue to elevate the role the eyes play in preventive care and overall health, it is essential that we continue exploring emerging solutions that can help scale access to care and enhance patient and provider experiences,” said Ruth Yomtoubian, Vice President and Head of the VSP Global Innovation Center. “We’re looking forward to year two of the VSP Vision Innovation Challenge, to continue to find ways we might enhance the eye care experience for years to come.”
Toward this goal, VSP Vision and MATTER are calling on global innovators, with both early and late-stage solutions to apply. In addition to the investment opportunity from Topcon Healthcare, Inc., finalists will present live on stage at Vision Expo West, one of the largest gatherings of vision care executives and professionals in the industry, and gain access to exclusive workshops and receive mentorship from leading vision care, venture capital, and healthcare professionals.
"Winning the first VSP Vision Innovation Challenge had a dramatic impact on our company,” said Yair Yahav, CEO & Founder of Revital Vision, winner of the 2024 VSP Vision Innovation Challenge, “The entire process helped us to refine our brand story. The event also exposed our business solution to top industry leaders, which resulted in accelerating our commercialization into the U.S. market."
Challenge Timeline:
Who Should Apply:
For more information and to apply, please visit the VSP Vision Innovation Challenge website.
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About VSP Vision At VSP Vision™, our purpose is to empower human potential through sight. As the first national not-for-profit vision benefits company, this is what drives everything we do. For 70 years, VSP has been the leader in health-focused vision care. Every day, the people that power our complementary businesses across vision benefits, eye care services, eyewear solutions, and practice solutions, work together to create a world where everyone can bring their best vision to life. That means providing affordable access to eye care and eyewear for more than 85 million members through a network of more than 42,000 doctors. It also means expanding access to vision care to those disadvantaged by income, distance, or disaster through VSP Vision™ Eyes of Hope®. To date, more than 4 million people in need have received access to no-cost eye care and eyewear through one of our Eyes of Hope programs. Learn more about how we’re reinvesting in greater vision, health, and opportunities for all at vspvision.com.