VSP Vision™ announced the launch of the 2026 VSP Vision Innovation Challenge, a worldwide call for visionary solutions that elevate the eye care experience and empower optometrists.
Hosted by the VSP® Global Innovation Center, alongside partners Vision Expo, Topcon Healthcare, Inc. and Silicon Foundry, the third annual challenge seeks to address the guiding question, “How might we enhance the eye care experience to drive more value for patients and providers?”
The VSP Global Innovation Center also published a timely new report that explores the future of health care from the patient perspective. “The Patient of the Future” examines everything from AI-enabled wearables and at-home diagnostics to flexible self-pay models and the rise of provider influencers, proving that patients are leveraging technology to redefine how they manage and monitor their health, now and into the future.
“The launch of our 2026 Innovation Challenge invites bold ideas that can have a positive impact on the future of eye care, while our new Futurist Report, ‘The Patient of the Future,’ underscores the transformative trends already changing the patient experience,” said Will Flanagan, Head of VSP Global Innovation Center Programs and Partnerships. “Together, these initiatives reflect VSP Vision’s commitment to connecting the optical industry with emerging solutions that deliver greater personalization, accessibility and value for patients and providers alike.”
2026 VSP VISION INNOVATION CHALLENGE
As technology advances and new care models emerge, there is growing interest in the eye care experience as an accessible entry point into the health care system. The 2026 VSP Vision Innovation Challenge is designed to identify, support and scale solutions that take into account the needs of both providers and patients.
Participants of the VSP Innovation Challenge will benefit from:
- A four-week bootcamp focused on optometry-specific business development.
- The opportunity to pitch live on stage at Vision Expo in Orlando in March 2026.
- Exposure to strategic partners, investors and key opinion leaders.
- The potential to secure a $400,000 investment from Topcon’s THINC Ventures capital arm or the opportunity to present directly to THINC Ventures.
Key Dates:
- Applications Open: December 1–14, 2025
- Finalists Announced: January 2026
- Bootcamp: February 2026
- Final Pitch Day: March 13, 2026, at Vision Expo in Orlando
“Winning the 2025 VSP Innovation Challenge has been a pivotal moment for our company. It put us on the radar of several industry leaders and sparked an unprecedented amount of interest and business development opportunities,” said Alessandro Grillini-Kromm, CEO & Founder of Reyedar and late-stage winner of the 2025 VSP Vision Innovation Challenge.
For more information about the VSP Innovation Challenge, including how to apply, evaluation criteria and additional benefits of participation, click here.
