Sponsored by Dompé, the Optometry Innovation Awards (OIA) will offer new benefits in 2023.
What are the Optometry Innovation Awards?
Presented by Eyes on Eyecare and exclusively sponsored by Dompé, the 2023 OIA Awards will build upon last year’s inaugural effort to recognize and encourage transformative advances in eyecare by bringing together optometry students, optometrist problem-solvers, and creators from across the United States and Canada.
Give me a refresh on last year's event (and winners) first.
Click here to watch the 2022 awards ceremony and see the winners.
Is there prize money?
Yes! Eyes On Eyecare will award $20,000 to the first-place winner, $12,500 to second place, and $7,500 to third place, which can be used to advance their innovations to market.
How can I apply and what are the rules?
To apply, send in your idea or concept that improves or has an application for:
- Patient care
- Workflow and efficiency for optometry practices
- The state of the optometric profession
- Eyecare marketing campaigns that raise awareness among consumers
- Accessibility to education within the eyecare community
Any other requirements?
Applicants must be an optometrist residing in the United States or Canada, or a current optometry student enrolled in an accredited program.
All applicants must be willing to submit a finalist video and appear live at Eyes On 2024 this November 2023.
How will I be judged?
Applicants will be judged objectively against the following rubric:
- Quality of presentation and thought process
- Market size and market need
- Benefits to the target audience
- Out-of-the-box thinking for the proposed solution to the problem/differentiation from other solutions
- Financial analysis
- Monetization model
- Competitive analysis
- Team
Who are the judges?
The OIA Award finalists will be judged by a panel of experts in the eyecare space with decades of combined experience as well as entrepreneurs with a focus in start-ups and bringing new concepts to the eyecare market.
How do I know if I’m a finalist?
After the judges’ decisions, finalists will be notified by August 15, 2023, and winners will be honored live at Eyes On 2024, held November 10th-11th, 2023.
When is the deadline to submit my pitch?
In order to be considered, you must apply by July 31, 2023.
I’m in! How do I get started?
If you have a pitch to share or want to learn more, please visit: optometryinnovationawards.com.