Oncology to Optometry Innovation Accelerator

How might we minimize the logistical and financial burden of routine eye care required for the administration of certain oncology products?

MATTER and a leading global biotech firm are seeking solutions to minimize the logistical and financial burden of routine eye care that is required for the administration of certain oncology products. The requirement of routine eye care could pose significant obstacles, such as the identification of eye care sites, scheduling of appointments and travel time, ultimately impacting a patient’s experience. These obstacles might also hinder ongoing oncology care.

To support this overarching aim of reducing barriers from oncology to optometry care, we are seeking solutions among one or more of the following tracks:

1. How might we deliver remote eye exams?
Seeking novel solutions including Slit Lamp eye exams, retinal digital imaging, AI and analytics overlays, remote eye scans, mobile device solutions and more

2. How might we more efficiently connect physicians with optometrists and ophthalmologists?
Seeking novel solutions including referral platforms, digital directories, EHR and data integration and more

3. How might we eliminate logistical barriers to receiving additional care, such as eye exams?
Seeking novel transportation, scheduling, payer approval/prior authorization solutions and more

This eight-week accelerator will provide participants with access to mentorship, exclusive resources and interactive curriculum from subject matter experts to co-develop their solutions and refine their value propositions. The top three solutions could each receive a cash award up to $10,000.

Accelerator participants should expect to:

• Engage with other cutting-edge startups
• Network with peers and leading influencers
• Gain exposure to the biotech partner and MATTER communities
• Co-develop solutions alongside biotech partner
• Validate their solutions and refine their value propositions
• Pitch to key stakeholders from the biotech partner at the final demo day
• Dedicate three-to-five hours per week to accelerator assignments and activities, such as cohort events, workshops, mentoring sessions and weekly progress check-ins
• Graduate with actionable next steps to further advance their solutions over the subsequent six months
• Receive a free, six-month MATTER membership

September 13: Applications open
November 27: Applications close
December 2: Cohort announced
December 5: Accelerator begins
February 9, 2023: Final demo day

We’re seeking entrepreneurs who are developing a technology to minimize the logistical and financial burden of routine eye care required for the administration of certain oncology products. This global call for solutions is open to individuals and teams from across the innovation ecosystem — from university researchers, students and entrepreneurs to existing startups of all stages. Solutions can range from early-stage concepts to marketed solutions. If your product does not directly align with the challenge statement above, you can still apply as long as there is a potential use case that fits within the challenge statement parameters.

Submissions will be evaluated with the following criteria in mind:

• Ability to clearly articulate the challenge statement addressed in the accelerator description
• Quality, feasibility and scale of proposed solution or technology
• Differentiation of solution within the competitive landscape
• Capability of participant/team to develop and execute solution
• Ability of the solution to minimize the logistical and financial burden of routine eye care required for the administration of certain oncology products

Applications will be open from September 13, 2022, until November 27, 2022, at 11:59pm CT. By December 2, MATTER will select and notify the teams selected to participate in the accelerator from December 5, 2022-February 9, 2023. Each participant will give a final presentation at the final demo day on February 9.

See the full Terms and Conditions.

At MATTER, we believe collaboration is the best way to improve healthcare. The MATTER collaborative includes more than 700 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.