Applications are now open for the 2026 Villgro Africa Eye Health Innovation Accelerator Program. 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: Tech-enabled brick-and-click models for primary and specialized eye care AI-driven solutions and tools for eye health Community-level screening devices and portable diagnostics Digital eye-care platforms, teleophthalmology, and remote screening Data management, EHR systems, and workflow tools for eye care Affordable or tech-enabled assistive technologies Requirements 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 an African country Offer a proven, tech-enabled eye-health solution addressing major vision challenges Demonstrate adoption, partnerships, and early revenue Shows clear potential for scale across LMIC markets Align with responsible innovation principles, data protection requirements, and public health priorities Selection Criteria Impact and outcomes: Demonstrated evidence of improved access, quality, or affordability Technical quality: Strong 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 Benefits 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 the 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: 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. For More Information: Click here to apply