Eye Health Accelerator – Call for Applications

About the Accelerator

The Eye Health Innovation Accelerator is a Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) program supporting companies that develop scalable, affordable, and impactful innovations in eye health.

The program offers:

• Technical assistance to validate solutions and strengthen business models
• Catalytic capital to support early growth
• Deep market access to scale across LMICs

It is implemented by Villgro Africa, in partnership with The Fred Hollows Foundation, with a focus on ventures that demonstrate:

• Strong market fit
• Sustainable growth potential
• Significant health impact.

 Background

Avoidable vision impairment affects 1.1 billion people worldwide, with projections rising to 1.8 billion by 2050. The majority of these cases occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where challenges such as:

• Limited diagnostic capacity
• Shortages in trained workforce
• Weak data systems
• High costs of care models

restrict access to timely eye-health services.

While digital innovation, artificial intelligence (AI), and technology-enabled care models hold transformative potential, very few ventures in LMICs reach scale. Barriers include:

• Limited access to early-stage capital
• High investor risk perception
• Fragmented health systems

To address these gaps, Villgro Africa and The Fred Hollows Foundation (FHF) have designed the Eye Health Innovation Accelerator. This program strengthens, invests in, and scales high-impact eye-health technologies across Africa.

 Program Focus

The Accelerator supports ventures delivering technology-enabled solutions that expand access to screening, diagnosis, treatment, and management of eye conditions across LMICs.

Focus areas include:

• AI-driven tools and solutions for eye health
• Community-level screening devices and portable diagnostics
• Digital eye-care platforms, teleophthalmology, and remote screening
• Data management systems, electronic health records (EHR), and workflow tools
• Affordable or tech-enabled assistive technologies
• Hybrid “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:

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

  Selection Criteria

Applications will be assessed based on:

• Impact & outcomes: Evidence of improved access, quality, or affordability
• Technical quality: Innovation aligned with eye-health needs
• Traction: Demonstrated adoption, revenue, or active pilots
• Scalability: Clear potential to replicate in LMIC markets
• Team capacity: Strong leadership and operational readiness
• Investment readiness: Ability to absorb catalytic capital and grow sustainably
• Health system alignment: Fit with national eye-health priorities

 What the Program Offers

Selected ventures will benefit from:

• Participation in a growth-focused program with market access and investment readiness support
• Technical assistance from leading eye-health and digital health experts
• Eligibility for catalytic seed investment between $100,000 – $250,000, with potential follow-on funding
• Access to partner and co-investor networks
• In-person bootcamps and peer-learning sessions
• Mentorship from clinicians, technologists, and health system experts
• Support in navigating government engagement and public health pathways
• Connections to hospitals, NGOs, research institutions, and referral networks

  Expected Outcomes

By the end of the program, participating ventures are expected to achieve:

• Refined business models and investment-ready strategies
• Secured seed funding and potential co-investments
• Strengthened market access pathways
• Enhanced credibility through partnerships and expert mentorship

  Application Process

Applicants must submit:

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

Non-eligible applicants include:

• Biotech R&D projects
• Pre-revenue concepts
• Academic prototypes with no market use
• Purely donor-dependent models
• Solutions unrelated to eye care

  Key Dates

• Information Session: December 17, 2025
• Application Deadline: January 14, 2026

The Eye Health Innovation Accelerator is a unique opportunity for African startups working in eye health to access funding, mentorship, and market pathways. With a strong focus on AI, digital platforms, and affordable technologies, the program aims to transform eye care across LMICs.

By combining technical assistance, catalytic capital, and deep networks, Villgro Africa and The Fred Hollows Foundation are paving the way for scalable, sustainable solutions that address one of the most pressing health challenges of our time. Apply now.