Menu
close

Eye Health Innovation Accelerator

Apply Here (Updated Deadline: 23rd January 2026)

Background

Avoidable vision impairment affects 1.1 billion people globally, with the burden expected to rise to 1.8 billion by 2050. Most cases occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where limited diagnostic capacity, workforce shortages, weak data systems, and costly care models restrict access to timely eye-health services.

While digital innovation, artificial intelligence (AI), and technology-enabled care models offer transformative potential, very few eye-health ventures in LMICs reach scale. Barriers such as limited access to early-stage capital, high investor risk perception, and fragmented health systems continue to slow progress.

Villgro Africa and The Fred Hollows Foundation (FHF) have designed the Eye Health Innovation Accelerator to close these gaps by strengthening, investing in, and scaling high-impact eye-health technologies across Africa.

About the Eye Health Innovation Accelerator

The Eye Health Innovation Accelerator is a Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) program aimed at supporting companies that are developing scalable, affordable, and high-impact innovations in the eye health space. The Accelerator provides technical assistance, catalytic capital, and deep market access to help startups validate solutions, strengthen business models, and scale across LMICs.

Implemented by Villgro Africa and in partnership with The Fred Hollows Foundation, this accelerator focuses on identifying promising ventures with strong potential for market fit, sustainable growth, and health impact, strengthening investment readiness for long-term growth.

Program Focus

The Eye Health Innovation Accelerator will support high-impact ventures delivering technology-enabled solutions that expand access to screening, diagnosis, treatment, and management of all eye conditions across LMICs.

Focus areas include:

  1. AI-driven solutions and tools for eye health 
  2. Community-level screening devices and portable diagnostics
  3. Digital eye-care platforms, teleophthalmology, and remote screening
  4. Data management, EHR systems, and workflow tools for eye care
  5. Affordable or tech-enabled assistive technologies 
  6. Tech-enabled brick-and-click models for primary and specialized eye care

Who Should Apply?

The Accelerator seeks African startups with validated solutions and demonstrated traction. Applicants should:

  1. Be legally registered in a Sub-Saharan African country
  2. Have a founder or senior leader who is a resident of an African country
  3. Offer a proven, tech-enabled eye-health solution addressing major vision challenges
  4. Demonstrate adoption, partnerships, and early revenue
  5. Show clear potential for scale across LMIC markets
  6. Align with responsible innovation principles, data protection requirements, and public health priorities

Selection Criteria

  1. Impact and outcomes: Demonstrated evidence of improved access, quality, or affordability
  2. Technical quality: Strong innovation aligned with eye-health needs
  3. Traction: Demonstrated adoption, revenue, or active pilots
  4. Scalability: Clear potential to replicate in LMIC markets
  5. Team capacity: Strong leadership and operational readiness
  6. Investment readiness: Ability to absorb catalytic capital and grow sustainably
  7. Health system alignment: Fit with national eye-health priorities

What We Offer

  • Participation in the program focused on growth, market access, and investment readiness
  • Technical assistance from leading eye-health and digital health experts
  • Eligibility for catalytic seed investment of between $100k to $250k, with possibility of follow-on funding
  • Access to partner and co-investor networks for potential investment
  • In-person bootcamp and peer-learning sessions
  • Mentorship from clinicians, technologists, and health system experts
  • Support to navigate government engagement and public health pathways
  • Connections to hospitals, NGOs, research institutions, and referral networks

Expected Outcomes

By the end of the program, the aim is for the companies to have:

  • Refined business models and investment-ready strategies
  • Secured seed funding and potential co-investments
  • Strengthened market access pathways

Application Process

Applicants must submit:

  • A company pitch deck
  • A 2-minute video demo or founder pitch (optional)
  • Completed online application form
  • Additional documents upon request during screening

Non-Eligible 

Biotech R&D, pre-revenue concepts, academic prototypes with no market use, purely donor-dependent models, or solutions unrelated to eye care.

Apply Here

FAQs

1. What is the Eye Health Innovation Accelerator (EHIA)?
The Eye Health Innovation Accelerator is a 6-months program for Sub-Saharan African startups developing scalable, affordable, and high-impact technology solutions for eye care. Implemented by Villgro Africa in partnership with The Fred Hollows Foundation, it provides selected ventures with technical assistance, catalytic seed funding, market access support, and mentorship to validate solutions and scale across low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

2. Who are the implementing partners?
The program is a strategic partnership between:

  1. Villgro Africa: A leading incubator and investor for early-stage health innovators in Africa.
  2. The Fred Hollows Foundation: An international development organization focused on eliminating avoidable blindness.

3. What is the program’s key focus areas?
We support solutions that expand access to screening, diagnosis, treatment, and management of eye conditions. Specific focus areas include:

  1. AI-driven tools.
  2. Community-level screening devices and portable diagnostics.
  3. Digital eye-care platforms, teleophthalmology, and remote screening.
  4. Data management, EHR systems, and workflow tools for eye care.
  5. Affordable devices, optical tools, or digital training for eye-health workers.
  6. Tech-enabled hybrid (“brick-and-click”) models for primary and specialized care.

4. Who is eligible to apply?

  1. Startups legally registered in a Sub-Saharan African country.
  2. Ventures with a founder or senior leader who is a resident of an African country.
  3. Companies with a proven, tech-enabled solution addressing a major vision challenge.
  4. Startups that have demonstrated early traction (e.g., adoption, partnerships, early revenue, active pilots).
  5. Solutions with clear potential for scale across LMIC markets.
  6. Ventures aligned with responsible innovation, data protection, and public health priorities.

5. Who is NOT eligible to apply?
The following are not eligible:

  1. Early-stage biotech R&D projects.
  2. Pre-revenue concepts or academic prototypes without a clear path to market use.
  3. Purely donor-dependent service delivery models.
  4. Solutions not related to eye care.
  5. Companies not registered in Sub-Saharan Africa.
  6. Non-profits, consultancies, intermediaries, and consortiums.
  7. Individuals or teams without a formally registered legal entity.

6. My startup is based outside of Africa but works on eye health in LMICs. Can we apply?
No. The program specifically supports African-led innovation. Your company must be legally registered in a Sub-Saharan African country.

7. Does our solution need to be purely digital?
No. We support a range of tech-enabled solutions, including medical devices, hardware-assisted tools, AI software, digital platforms, and hybrid service models. Technology must be central to making your solution scalable and impactful.

8. Can a startup apply if it has already raised investment?
Yes. Previous investment can be a positive indicator of traction. The key is to demonstrate how the accelerator’s catalytic capital and support will accelerate your path to scale.

9. Is the program virtual or in-person?
The program is hybrid, including:

  1. Virtual workshops, mentorship sessions, and technical assistance.
  2. At least one in-person bootcamp or convening (location to be communicated in advance).

10. What concrete support do selected ventures receive?

  1. Catalytic Funding: Eligibility to qualify for seed investment ranging from USD $100,000 to $250,000, with the possibility of follow-on funding.
  2. Technical Assistance: Hands-on support from leading eye-health and digital health experts.
  3. Market Access: Connections to hospitals, NGOs, referral networks, and support to navigate government engagement.
  4. Investment Readiness: Mentorship and preparation to secure further funding from partner and co-investor networks.
  5. Peer Learning: An in-person bootcamp and sessions with fellow innovators.

11. What is “catalytic seed investment”?
It is early-stage funding (none grant) intended to:

  1. Accelerate product development and strengthen business models.
  2. Unlock follow-on investment.
  3. Support scaling in LMIC markets.

It typically comes with supportive terms to help companies grow with reduced investor risk.

12. Does the program take intellectual property (IP) rights?
No. The accelerator and its partners do not claim ownership of your IP. The support is designed to help you strengthen and scale your venture.

13. What is the application deadline?
Applications must be submitted by January 14, 2026.

14. How can I learn more before applying?
We will host a public Information Session on December 17, 2025. Details and registration links will be shared on our website and partner channels. Attending is highly recommended.

15. What documents are required for the application?

  1. A completed online application form.
  2. A company pitch deck.
  3. A 2-minute video demo or founder pitch (optional but encouraged).
  4. Additional documents may be requested during the screening stages.

16. What makes a strong application? A strong application clearly demonstrates:

  1. Impact: Evidence of improved access, quality, or affordability of eye care.
  2. Traction: Concrete proof of adoption, revenue, or active pilots.
  3. Scalability: A clear plan for replicating your model in other LMICs.
  4. Team: Experienced and committed leadership.
  5. Technical Quality: A robust innovation aligned with eye-health needs.
  6. Alignment: Fit with national health priorities and ethical standards.

17. What is the selection process and timeline?
The process involves:

  1. Initial application review
  2. Shortlisting
  3. Due diligence (which may include requests for more information)
  4. Final interviews.

The timeline from application close to final selection will be communicated to all applicants.

18. Is there a cost to apply?
No, there is no cost to the application process.

19. Who can see my application information?
All information submitted may be seen by the coordinating team, implementing partners, judges, and assessors, all of whom are bound by confidentiality agreements. We retain application materials (including from non-selected applicants) for up to two years.

20. What publicity should I expect?
Once companies are admitted to the program, Villgro Africa and partners may publicize your involvement through their websites, social media, and other public communications channels.

21. Will I receive feedback if not selected?
Yes, applicants may receive brief feedback to help improve future applications.

22. Where can I find updates and the application link?
All official updates and the application portal will be available on the dedicated program landing page (to be launched) and through Villgro Africa’s and The Fred Hollows Foundation’s official channels.

23. Who can I contact for questions or clarification in case I missed the information sessions?
If you would like to discuss whether your venture is relevant to the call or require any other clarification about the application process, please reach out to [email protected] or [email protected].