Vision Expo and VSP Vision Announce Finalists for the 2026 VSP Vision Innovation Challenge

Thursday, February 5 2026 | 13 h 12 min | News

Vision Expo, produced by RX and The Vision Council, in collaboration with VSP Vision™, a leader in health-focused vision care, announce the four startups selected to participate in the 2026 VSP Vision Innovation Challenge. The contest is a global competition designed to source, spur, and advance early-stage startups and technologies that are elevating the eye care experience.

The four finalists will participate in a four-week startup bootcamp in February 2026, receiving expert mentorship and exclusive resources to refine their value propositions. They will present their solutions live on stage at Vision Expo inside the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida on March 13, 2026, and showcase their products on the show floor as part of the Innovation Center, an area designated for industry startups.

“The VSP Vision Innovation Challenge underscores our belief that bold, future-ready concepts are essential to advancing eyecare,” said Ashley Mills, CEO of The Vision Council. “Innovation Center at Vision Expo expands that mission by elevating startups and the technologies redefining what’s possible. The Show’s programming is designed for attendees to discover new ideas, and we’re proud to champion the innovators pushing the field ahead.”

“We received applications from companies around the globe for the 2026 VSP Innovation Challenge, with more than half being venture-backed and collectively representing over $300 million in funding,” said Will Flanagan, Head of VSP Global Innovation Center Programs and Partnerships. “These founders are committed to enhancing provider and patient experiences and empowering private practices to thrive, and we’re excited to help accelerate their progress.”

In addition to the exposure at one of the largest gatherings of vision care executives and professionals, selected early-stage startups will have the potential to secure a $400,000 investment from Topcon Healthcare, Inc.’s THINC Ventures capital arm.

Event Information

2026 VSP Vision Innovation Challenge: Final Pitch and Award Ceremony 

Innovation Stage, Vision Expo 
Friday, March 13, 2026
10:30am – 11:30am ET

Meet the 2026 Finalists

• Altris AI: Clinical-grade SaaS platform serves as a “second set of eyes” for eye care specialists, identifying 70+ retinal biomarkers from OCT scans to help providers match patients to appropriate treatments, devices, and clinical trials with objective, data-driven precision.
  
• Alchemy Vision: Modern, subscription-based digital training platform designed for today’s eye care environment.
  
• EyeCareX: OD-founded AI platform using computer vision and generative AI to automate and standardize core components of the optometric exam, enabling clinics and enterprise networks to increase patient capacity and deliver more consistent care.
  
• Captify: Builds prescription-ready, AI-enabled smart eyewear that provides real-time captioning for patients with hearing loss, empowering independent optometrists to deliver cutting-edge accessibility tools that enhance patient quality of life.

Source: Vision Expo

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