African health startups invited to apply for new eye-care innovation programme

The Eye Health Accelerator Programme has opened applications for African startups building impactful, tech-enabled solutions for eye care.

Contents

Focus Benefits Who can apply Application requirements Deadline

The initiative targets ventures that have moved beyond the ideation phase, tested their products in real-world environments, and are now ready to scale.

Focus

The programme supports technology-driven solutions that address critical eye-health challenges, enhance patient experience and advance public health priorities.

Priority will be given to startups that:

Have early revenue, active pilots or proven user adoption.
Demonstrate measurable improvements in access, quality or affordability.
Show potential for replication in low- and middle-income markets.
Implement responsible innovation and strong data-protection practices.

Benefits

Selected startups will receive comprehensive acceleration support to strengthen their business models, operations, and investment readiness.

Participating ventures will also benefit from:

Mentorship and technical assistance
Visibility and partnership opportunities within health systems
Support to scale sustainably and utilize catalytic funding

More details on funding levels and support packages are available from the programme organisers.

Who can apply

The programme is open to early-growth health startups legally registered in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Eligible applicants must:

Be legally registered in a Sub-Saharan African country.
Have a founder or senior leader based in Africa.
Demonstrate traction through revenue, user adoption, pilots or partnerships.
Align with eye health and broader public health needs.
Show evidence that their solution improves access, affordability or care quality.

Leadership commitment and operational readiness will be key selection criteria.

Application requirements

Startups should prepare documentation showcasing product validation, traction metrics and a clear pathway for scaling in LMIC markets.

Applications will be strengthened by evidence of patient outcomes or system-level improvements. A clear alignment with national eye-health priorities is strongly encouraged.