MATTER and VSP Vision announce second cohort for VSP Vision Innovation Challenge
August 4, 2025, CHICAGO, IL — MATTER, the premier healthcare incubator and innovation hub, and VSP Vision™, the leader in delivering access to health-focused vision care, today announced the second cohort of startups selected to participate in the VSP Vision Innovation Challenge, a global competition to source and advance solutions enhancing the eye care experience.
The six finalists — three early-stage and three later-stage companies — will participate in a four-week startup bootcamp from August 11-September 5, 2025, receiving expert mentorship and exclusive resources to refine their value propositions. They will then present their solutions live on stage at Vision Expo West in Las Vegas, Nevada on September 18, 2025. In addition to the exposure at one of the largest gatherings of vision care executives and professionals in the industry, selected early-stage startups will have the potential to secure a $400,000 investment from Topcon Healthcare, Inc.’s THINC Ventures capital arm.
Learn more about the startup cohort
Early-Stage Finalists
Vitazi.ai — Santa Fe, New Mexico
AI-powered decision support platform enabling the early detection of various conditions, including diabetic retinopathy, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative disorders, through a retinal scan.
Soliddd — New York, New York
AR glasses for macular degeneration that restore full-field sight to functionally blind people.
Muse AI — Richardson, Texas
AI eyewear recommendation tool helping independent optometrists and retailers create a personalized pre-shopping discovery experience for their customers.
Later-Stage Finalists
Remidio — Glen Allen, Virginia
Suite of AI-enabled hardware and software delivering remote, accessible eye care and whole-body health.
Vivid Vision — San Francisco, California
VR-based vision therapy system treating various vision problems such as amblyopia (lazy eye), strabismus (crossed eyes), and more.
Reyedar — Groningen, Netherlands
Eye tracking AI for early detection of glaucoma, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
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 the 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 more than 85 million 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 Vision™ 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.