Startups recognized for advancing innovation, access, and patient care in eyecare

NORWALK, CT and Rancho Cordova, CA (September 23, 2025) –  Vision Expo West, produced by RX and The Vision Council, in collaboration with VSP Vision™, a leader in health-focused vision care, and MATTER, the premier healthcare incubator and innovation hub, announced the winners of the 2025 VSP Vision Innovation Challenge. The competition took place live on stage at The Venetian Expo in Las Vegas on September 18.

The competition, which drew global participation, spotlighted promising solutions designed to enhance both provider and patient experiences in eyecare. Following a four-week startup bootcamp led by the VSP^® Global Innovation Center and MATTER, six startups, including three early-stage and three later-stage companies, presented their solutions live to a diverse panel of judges and an audience of vision care executives and professionals.

Winners of the 2025 VSP Vision Innovation Challenge

• Later-Stage Winner: Reyedar
• Early-Stage Winner: Vitazi.zi
• Audience Choice Winner: Muse.ai

The three winners were recognized for their innovation, impact, and potential to elevate the eyecare experience.

Judges included: Ashkan Eliasy, Investment Principal, Topcon; Jeff Poe, Co-Managing Partner, Sanitas; Jay Anderson, Head of Emerging Technology, VSP Global Innovation Center; Jeana Konstantakopoulos, Director of Partner Engagement, MATTER; Camille Manso, Partner, Foundry; Dr. Kennard Herring, OD, Nostalgic Eye Care; Yair Yahav, CEO, Revital Vision; and Suzanne Krauss, Director of Shows, The Vision Council.

“Innovation in eye care is accelerating, which is why it’s crucial for the industry to actively participate. The VSP Vision Innovation Challenge is designed to connect startups and emerging technologies with the industry stakeholders they aim to serve,” said Will Flanagan, Head of VSP Global Innovation Center Program and Partnerships. “The Innovation Challenge demonstrates how collaboration among startups, healthcare incubators, and industry leaders can enhance access, promote equity, and improve the patient experience, all while keeping providers at the core of eye care.”

The 2025 Finalists & Winner List

Later-Stage Finalists

• Remidio (Glen Allen, VA) – AI-enabled hardware and software delivering remote, accessible eyecare and whole-body health.
• Vivid Vision (San Francisco, CA) – VR-based vision therapy system treating amblyopia, strabismus, and other vision disorders.
• Reyedar (Groningen, Netherlands) – Eye tracking AI for early detection of glaucoma, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s. WINNER

Early-Stage Finalists

• Vitazi.ai (Santa Fe, NM) – AI-powered decision support platform using retinal scans to detect diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, cardiovascular conditions, and neurodegenerative disorders. WINNER
• Soliddd (New York, NY) – AR glasses for macular degeneration that restore full-field sight to functionally blind people.
• Muse AI (Richardson, TX) – AI eyewear recommendation tool that helps independent optometrists and retailers provide personalized pre-shopping discovery experiences. AUDIENCE CHOICE WINNER

Bootcamp & Innovation Journey

The VSP Vision Innovation Challenge had 49 applicants from 12 countries, and 18 U.S. states. Selected among them, six finalists participated in a four-week startup bootcamp from August 11 to September 5, 2025, organized in collaboration with MATTER and the VSP Global Innovation Center. The program included industry overviews, workshops on value proposition refinement, mentor meetings, strategy sessions with Silicon Foundry, meetings with optometrists, and potential investors, such as Topcon Healthcare’s THINC Ventures. Startups also took part in recorded interviews and practice pitch sessions, gaining exposure and feedback to accelerate their growth.

At Vision Expo West, finalists presented their solutions on the Main Stage and exhibited in the new emerging technology area, LaunchPad. The space featured more than 25 startups unveiling next-generation solutions in AI, VR, AR, and diagnostics.

“Vision Expo has long been a platform for showcasing the latest advancements in the optical industry, and this year’s VSP Vision Innovation Challenge elevated that tradition. The energy, ideas, and solutions from these startups illustrate the bright future of eyecare innovation,” added Ashley Mills, CEO of The Vision Council.

For more information on Vision Expo, visit visionexpo.com. 

Media Contacts:

Emily Rocca
Marketing Director, RX Global
[email protected]

Jen Cullen Williams
Public Relations
[email protected]

Tatiana Stewart
Public Relations, VSP Vision
[email protected]

About Vision Expo
Vision Expo is the trade-only conference and exhibition for eyecare and eyewear presented by co-owners RX and The Vision Council. Vision Expo is the most comprehensive event for the entire Vision community, built for the industry by the industry. The only balance of conference and exhibition to learn from industry pioneers, explore cutting-edge advancements, and gain a new perspective on the future of eyewear. In the Vision Expo Exhibit Hall, eyecare providers can discover fashion trends, interact with new technologies and access innovative products and services. The Vision Expo education program is driven by the profession, offering content of the highest quality and relevance to enhance overall patient care. For more information on Vision Expo, visit  visionexpo.com and follow Vision Expo’s social media channels, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn.

Vision Expo images can be found HERE and new logo can be found HERE.

About The Vision Council
The Vision Council brings the power of sight to all through education, government relations, research and technical standards. A leading advocate for the optical industry, the association positions its members to deliver the eyewear and eyecare people need to look and feel their best. Vital to health, independence and safety, better vision leads to better lives. Learn more at thevisioncouncil.org. 

About RX
RX is a global leader in events and exhibitions, leveraging industry expertise, data, and technology to build businesses for individuals, communities, and organizations. With a presence in 25 countries across 42 industry sectors, RX hosts approximately 350 events annually. RX is committed to creating an inclusive work environment for all our people. RX empowers businesses to thrive by leveraging data-driven insights and digital solutions. RX is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. For more information, visit www.rxglobal.com.

About VSP Vision

At VSP Vision™, our purpose is to empower human potential through sight. As the first national not-for-profit vision benefits company, this is what drives everything we do. For 70 years, VSP has been a leader in health-focused vision care. Every day, the people that power our complementary businesses across vision benefits, eye care services, eyewear solutions, and practice solutions, work together to create a world where everyone can bring their best vision to life. That means providing affordable access to eye care and eyewear for millions of members through a network of more than 42,000 doctors. It also means expanding access to vision care to those disadvantaged by income, distance, or disaster through VSP Eyes of Hope®. To date, more than 4.3 million people in need have received access to no-cost eye care and eyewear through one of our Eyes of Hope programs. Learn more about how we’re reinvesting in greater vision, health, and opportunities for all at vspvision.com.

About MATTER

At MATTER, we believe collaboration is the best way to improve healthcare. The MATTER collaborative includes more than 1,000 current and alumni startups from around the world, working together with dozens of hospitals and health systems, universities and industry-leading companies to build the future of healthcare. Together we are accelerating innovation, advancing care and improving lives. For more information, visit matter.health and follow @MATTERhealth.