VSP Vision and Matter, a health care incubator and innovation hub, have announced the launch of the second annual VSP Vision Innovation Challenge, a global competition aimed at identifying new solutions to improve the eyecare experience.

For the competition, cohosted by Matter and the VSP Global Innovation Center and with support from Topcon Healthcare Inc., Topcon will offer selected early-stage startups the opportunity to secure up to $400,000 in investment from its Thinc Ventures capital arm, whereas growth-stage companies may be invited to present directly to the firm’s venture team.

The competition is open to both early-stage and late-stage companies developing products or services related to eye care, including digital health tools, vision care technologies, and innovations aligned with trends such as digital therapeutics for myopia or smart eyewear with health-tracking capabilities—as referenced in VSP’s Future Eye: 10 Vision Trends Transforming Healthcare report.

Finalists will be invited to present their solutions live during Vision Expo West, scheduled for Sept. 17-20 in Las Vegas. In addition to pitching their ideas, selected teams will participate in workshops and receive mentorship from professionals in vision care, venture capital, and health care.

The application period for the 2025 program is open through June 8. Finalists will be announced in July, with a four-week startup bootcamp taking place in August ahead of the final presentations in September.

For eligibility details and application guidelines, interested participants can click here.