Startups building tech-enabled solutions to address vision and eye-health challenges in Africa can now apply to the 2026 Villgro Africa Eye Health Innovation Accelerator. This programme — run by Villgro Africa in partnership with The Fred Hollows Foundation — offers catalytic funding, expert support, and market access for innovations that improve access to eye screening, diagnosis, treatment, and care across low- and middle-income countries (LMICs
If you’re working on an eye-health tech product — from AI diagnostics to tele-ophthalmology — this could be a major opportunity to scale impact and secure investment.
Program Focus Areas
Villgro Africa is especially interested in innovations under these themes:
AI-driven diagnostic tools and retinal imaging technologies
Community-level screening and portable diagnostics for eye health
Digital eye-care platforms, tele-ophthalmology and remote screening services
Data management, EHR systems, workflow tools, and other digital health infrastructure for eye care
Affordable optical devices and assistive technologies for low-income populations
Benefits for Selected Startups
Catalytic seed funding of USD 100,000–250,000 (depending on stage), with potential follow-on investment.
Technical assistance and mentorship from experts in ophthalmology, digital health, and health-systems integration.
Market access support, connecting startups to hospitals, clinics, NGOs, referral networks and public-health institutions.
In-person bootcamp & peer-learning sessions, helping founders refine business models and scale approaches across African markets.
Investment readiness preparation, strengthening financial, operational, and regulatory readiness for growth and scaling
Eligibility Criteria
Pre-revenue ideas, academic-only prototypes, or purely donor-funded models without a sustainability model are not eligible.
Startups should meet the following criteria:
- Legally registered in a Sub-Saharan African country.
- Founder or senior leader must be a resident of an African country.
- Offer a proven, tech-enabled, eye-health solution addressing major vision challenges (e.g. screening, diagnostics, tele-ophthalmology, data management, affordable devices).
- Demonstrate traction, adoption, early revenue or active pilots — not just concept or idea stage.
- Show clear potential to scale across LMIC markets, with a viable business model and alignment with public-health needs
How To Apply
Application Deadline & Process
- Deadline: 14 January 2026
- To Submit your application: Visit the official Villgro Africa to begin your journey
- A short video illustration or founder pitch can boost your chances of being selected
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