Johannesburg, South Africa, April 2026 – EYElliance has launched the Optical Enterprise Growth Hub, a global platform built to support retail optical businesses that intend to scale, strengthening their ability to expand access to affordable eyeglasses in low- and middle-income markets.
The Hub brings together sector-specific tools, operational guidance, peer exchange, and structured investment pathways, helping transform strong optical stores into scalable, investment-ready enterprises.
Despite eyeglasses being a simple, low-cost product invented over 700 years ago, 2 out of 3 people in low- and middle-income countries who need them still do not have access. Addressing this gap requires more than distribution, it requires building scalable, high-performing optical businesses that can sustainably reach underserved markets.
The Optical Enterprise Growth Hub is designed to do exactly that.
ACCESS THE HUB
“Scaling access to eyeglasses is not just a delivery challenge, it’s a business challenge,” said Evan Gill, Managing Director of the Optical Enterprise Growth Hub at EYElliance. “Across markets, we see strong optical businesses with real traction, but limited access to the tools, systems, and capital required to scale. We co-founded the Hub with scaling optical entrepreneurs to build an enterprise community that develops and deploys the industry resources needed to accelerate growth, attract investment, and expand access to affordable eyeglasses at scale.”
Built by Entrepreneurs, for Entrepreneurs
The Optical Enterprise Growth Hub is co-founded by EYElliance and leading optical entrepreneurs Hugo Moreno of Ver de Verdad and Jérôme Lapaire and Louis Gascoin of Lapaire. It is grounded in real-world operator experience and designed specifically for the realities of retail optical businesses.
The Hub supports optical enterprises from early- through growth-stage - from building strong foundations to scaling across markets - by providing a flexible set of tools and opportunities rather than a fixed program.
What the Hub Provides
Entrepreneur Members gain access to a structured set of resources designed to strengthen performance and unlock scale, including:
- Optical-specific playbooks covering business fundamentals, growth strategy, and expansion models
- A performance and data learning series to build operational discipline and improve decision-making
- Operator-led coaching on key business challenges, from staffing to expansion strategy
- A retail-optical-specific ERP to improve inventory management, financial clarity, and multi-store visibility
- Structured investment preparation, including diagnostics, financial modeling, and curated introductions
- A Community of Practice connecting growth oriented founders supporting all members to achieve scale
Together, these offerings strengthen the operational backbone of optical enterprises, ensuring growth is durable, scalable, and investment-ready.
A Platform for Market Transformation
The Optical Enterprise Growth Hub plays a critical role in EYElliance’s broader strategy to transform the eyeglasses market by strengthening private-sector delivery channels.
By supporting the entrepreneurs building optical businesses, the Hub helps create the conditions for routine, reliable access to affordable eyeglasses at scale.
The Hub also serves as the platform for initiatives such as the Pan-African Innovation Challenge, which identifies and accelerates high-potential enterprises through catalytic capital and structured support.
Who the Hub Is For
The Hub is designed for retail optical enterprises in low- and middle-income markets that:
- Operate revenue-generating businesses with real customers
- Have strong operational foundations
- Are actively working toward multi-location expansion
- Are committed to expanding access to affordable eyeglasses
Both multi-store operators and strong single-store businesses with credible plans to scale are encouraged to engage.
How to Get Involved
Entrepreneurs can begin by taking the free enterprise assessment at https://sites.google.com/eyelliance.org/hub and receiving a personalized pathway into the Hub.
Partners and investors can connect with Evan Gill, Managing Director, Optical Enterprise Growth Hub, EYElliance at evan@eyelliance.org to explore collaboration, investment opportunities, and ways to support the growth of scalable optical enterprises.
BECOME A MEMBER TODAY
About EYElliance
EYElliance is the global market catalyst for eyeglasses. Despite being a simple, low-cost product, access remains limited, one of the longest-running market failures in history. EYElliance works to transform the market by activating government and private-sector channels, de-risking investment and market entry, and mobilizing new actors to scale proven solutions. www.eyelliance.org - 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
