Applications now open for up to $100K in catalytic growth capital for optical entrepreneurs across Africa

Johannesburg, South Africa, March 2026 – EYElliance has officially launched the 2026 Pan-African Innovation Challenge, a continent-wide call for revenue-generating optical enterprises to submit evidence-backed innovations that can accelerate growth and expand access to affordable eyeglasses.

Hosted by the Optical Enterprise Growth Hub, the Challenge is designed to support entrepreneurs building scalable optical businesses in African markets, where strong operations alone are not enough to grow. Enterprises must navigate thin margins, working capital constraints, talent gaps, and fragmented supply chains, while continuing to deliver quality, affordable eyeglasses.

The Challenge seeks practical innovations that address these realities and unlock faster, more sustainable scale.

“Across Africa, we are seeing a new breed of optical entrepreneurs building profitable businesses, combining impact and commercial viability to expand access to affordable eyeglasses in underserved markets.” said Evan Gill, Managing Director of the Optical Enterprise Growth Hub at EYElliance. “This 2026 Pan-African Innovation Challenge is about identifying what’s already working, backing it with catalytic capital, and helping those enterprises scale further and faster.”

More Than Funding: A Pathway to Scale

Selected enterprises will compete for up to $100,000 in catalytic growth capital to test or implement their scaling innovation:

• First Prize: $50,000 grant and eligibility for up to $50,000 in subordinated debt
• Second Prize: $30,000 grant
• Third Prize: $20,000 grant

In addition, 10 top enterprises will receive a one-year membership in the Optical Enterprise Growth Hub, gaining access to the Hub’s structured support, including:

• Sector-specific playbooks
• Operator-led coaching
• Performance and data learning
• Retail-optical ERP tools
• Structured investment preparation
• A peer community of growth-oriented founders

The Optical Enterprise Growth Hub is built exclusively for retail optical businesses that intend to scale. Co-founded by EYElliance and scaling optical entrepreneurs Hugo Moreno of Ver de Verdad and Jérôme Lapaire and Louis Gascoin of Lapaire, it is an enterprise community grounded in real-world operator experience. 

Who Should Apply

The Challenge is designed for operating optical enterprises with real market traction and ambition to scale.

Applicants should:

• Operate a revenue-generating optical retail enterprise
• Have been operating for at least one year with active sales
• Be building a model designed for multi-location expansion or scalable growth
• Be planning to expand within approximately 18 months

Both multi-store enterprises and strong single-store operators with credible expansion plans are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Applications are submitted via an online form and take approximately 30–40 minutes to complete.

Apply here: https://sites.google.com/eyelliance.org/challenge

Deadline: 25 May 2026 (11:59 PM GMT)

Shortlisted applicants will progress through a structured selection process, including video submissions and a live pitch stage, with final winners announced in August 2026.

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About EYElliance

EYElliance is the global market catalyst for eyeglasses. Despite being a simple, low-cost product, 2 out of 3 people who need eyeglasses in low- and middle-income countries still don’t have access to them, one of the longest-running market failures in history. EYElliance works to transform the eyeglasses market by activating government and private-sector channels, de-risking investment and market entry, and mobilizing new actors to scale proven solutions. Through initiatives such as the Optical Enterprise Growth Hub, Frontline Vision, EYElliance Insights & Data Portal, and First Grade, First Glasses, EYElliance supports scalable models that expand access to affordable eyeglasses, unlocking learning, productivity, and economic opportunity. - www.eyelliance.org

EYElliance Contacts

Marketing & Communications
Jana Porter
Associate Director of Communications, EYElliance

jana@eyelliance.org

Challenge & Applications
Evan Gill
Managing Director, Optical Enterprise Growth Hub, EYElliance
evan@eyelliance.org