EYElliance

The second day of the EYElliance Vision Venture Forum in Nairobi was a deep dive into collaborative problem-solving and innovation with a focus on practical tools within the inclusive optical sector. Our packed day covered everything from data-driven insights and tech-powered growth to leveraging impact metrics for driving social and financial returns. Highlights included Hugo Moreno’s session on harnessing data and enterprise resource planning (ERP) for profitability, and Rob Shelton’s workshop on building investor literacy and engagement, highlighting the power of storytelling in the entrepreneurial journey. 💬 As one of our speakers put it, “You don’t just sell glasses, you create better lives.” The day ended on a high note with a cocktail function, where entrepreneurs and investors continued the conversation in a relaxed, inspiring setting. Looking forward to even more progress on our final day tomorrow! #VisionVentureForum #InclusiveOptical #Innovation #Impact #GlassesChangeLives #VVF24 Maggie (Savage) Dawson Tapfuma Musewe, MBA Kelebogile Modutwane Doreen Ruoele Ntombi Zitha Isaac Okiring Yewande Kamuntu Roseline Kilonzo Geogette Ochieng Ndabukiye Louise Nabyonga Thandi Dralega Anguyo J Dralega Idalgo Palçudeu Agostinho Nhabete Manuel Neto João Ferrão dos Santos

Day 1 of the inaugural EYElliance Vision Venture Forum 2024 brought bold ideas, invaluable insights, and a powerful call to action for private sector to accelerate access to eyeglasses! 🧡 We kicked off with an inspiring story from Hugo Moreno, founder of retail optical business, Ver de Verdad, who shared his journey of building a sustainable, profitable, socially impactful optical business. Hugo’s story highlighted how scaling accessible, affordable eyeglasses can transform low- and middle-income communities — lessons we’re taking to heart as we build a future where clear vision is a reality for all. EYElliance’s Tapfuma Musewe, MBA led an honest, data-driven session on the reality of doing business in the retail optical sector, where he unveiled insights from EYElliance’s latest research, including what investors really think about opportunities in the optical sector. Tapfuma facilitated small group discussions on barriers, pain points, and solutions for driving sustainable growth, giving everyone in the room a voice to share their experiences and strategies. As the Vision Venture Forum continues, we’re excited to unlock new pathways for collaboration and bring innovative solutions to scale! Stay tuned for more updates as we build momentum toward an inclusive optical industry. ✨ #VVF24 #GlassesChangeLives #ClearVision #Eyeglasses Maggie (Savage) Dawson Kelebogile Modutwane Doreen Ruoele João Ferrão dos Santos Ntombi Zitha Isaac Okiring Yewande Kamuntu Roseline Kilonzo Geogette Ochieng Ndabukiye Louise Nabyonga Rob Shelton Thandi Dralega Anguyo J Dralega Grace kasiime Idalgo Palçudeu Agostinho Nhabete

Today marks the start of the inaugural Vision Venture Forum in Nairobi, Kenya! Ahead of the event, EYElliance's Tapfuma Musewe, MBA, and industry players Hugo Moreno and Rob Shelton, made an inspiring stop at Rafiki Optician, a thriving optical business owned by Joel Ombewa. Based in Kenya, Rafiki is leading by example, showing how retail optical entrepreneurs can transform access to eyeglasses across the region. With one billion people worldwide living with uncorrected poor vision, businesses like Rafiki are essential to the solution. They’re not only making eyeglasses accessible to underserved communities but also running profitable businesses that fuel local economies. Joel’s commitment to quality, affordability, and social impact shows just how powerful the private sector can be in addressing the global need for eyeglasses. We’re excited to see more discussions on sustainable, scalable solutions unfold over the next few days at the Vision Venture Forum! #GlassesChangeLives #EyecareAccessibility #VisionVentureForum #EYElliance

🌍 The inaugural EYElliance Vision Venture Forum 2024 is taking place on October 28-30! This groundbreaking gathering is dedicated to addressing the global vision crisis affecting nearly one billion people worldwide who lack access to eyeglasses. Launched as part of EYElliance's sustainable finance strategy, the Vision Venture Forum aims to co-create scalable solutions in the retail optical space. We're bringing together a curated group of entrepreneurs, investors, and ecosystem stakeholders to innovate and overcome the challenges of scaling impact in this vital sector. Why now? The statistics are stark: poor vision contributes to staggering economic losses and impedes educational and economic opportunities for millions. Eyeglasses not only improve learning outcomes and productivity but also enhance health and wellbeing, and promote more inclusive societies. By fostering collaboration and innovation, the Vision Venture Forum seeks to accelerate transformative private sector action, ensuring equitable access to eyeglasses and creating a pathway to prosperity for communities worldwide. Learn more about our mission at https://lnkd.in/g9r4Y8mT and stay tuned for learnings from the Forum in an upcoming EYElliance report! If you're interested in getting involved, please send us a DM on LinkedIn. #VVF24 #GlassesChangeLives Lapaire Wazi MozVisao Group Med-Optics Vision Centre Esther Amegbey Peter aduko Azika Rafiki Optician Doreen Ruoele Ntombi Zitha Kelebogile Modutwane

✴️ Different Paths to Scaling Inclusive Optical Retailers ✴️ In the journey to expand access to affordable eyeglasses in low- and middle-income countries, we’ve seen incredible examples of innovation. Two eyewear companies based in Africa have taken different paths to scale, each making eyeglasses more accessible and affordable to those who need them most. 🅰️ One retailer, Business A, operates across 7 countries, focusing on retail while training opticians, and targeting low- and middle-income customers. Recently, they raised $3M USD in equity investments, showing that there is investor interest in scaling this crucial industry. 🅱️ The other retailer, Business B, operates over 40 stores, serving customers from low-income to premium markets. They’ve built an integrated supply chain, achieved profitability at both the store and group level, and have self-funded all of their growth. What both companies share is their use of self-developed Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software, which integrates everything from HR to procurement and operations. This kind of SaaS tech innovation is a critical component to scaling profitable optical businesses and creating impact, meeting the eyewear needs of millions of underserved customers. #GlassesChangeLives #Innovation #SaaSforGood #InclusiveRetail #ImpactInvestment

👓 Did you know that approx. 1 in 3 people with poor vision can't see clearly simply because they lack the eyeglasses they need? This isn't just a personal inconvenience—it's a global crisis that affects over 1.1 billion people today, with that number expected to rise to 1.8 billion by 2050. Most of those affected live in low- and middle-income countries, where the lack of access to basic eye care, like eyeglasses, leads to avoidable poor vision. This is more than a health issue; it's a barrier to education, employment, and overall quality of life. 📈 As the global population ages, the need for vision care, including eyeglasses, will only grow. Addressing this now is not just an issue for not for profits—it's a crucial step towards reaching global sustainable development goals. At EYElliance, we're committed to making eyeglasses accessible to all, where the live and learn. We believe that everyone, regardless of where they live, should have routine, reliable access to the eyeglasses they need. It's time for urgent action to close the vision divide and make clear sight a reality for everyone. #VisionForAll #EyeHealth #EYElliance #SustainableDevelopment #GlassesChangeLives

📌And that’s a wrap on our Themed Week on #Vision for #WorldSightDay  🌎👓 🎉We hope that you got to follow our seven days of stories and other educational content on vision. 👉📚 Have a scroll through our feed in case you missed it! Even though #WorldSightDay 2024 has come to an end, our commitment continues. 💡Upcoming plan to launch! We are excited that ATscale will soon launch a flagship programme in 14 countries where we will screen over  3 million school-aged children in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia to identify those with unaddressed vision and hearing loss.  Over four years, up to 700,000 children will be fitted with eyeglasses and up to 65,000 with hearing aids. We will also train up to 6,000 staff in screening techniques and support the establishment of vision and hearing centers, strengthening in-country expertise and encouraging country ownership. 🎉Let’s unlock the everyday for everyone, everywhere! #UnlockTheEveryday #ATChangesLives #Vision #Eyeglasses #LoveYourEyes #WorldSightDay2024

💡Did you know that 89% of unaddressed poor vision cases occur in low- and middle-income countries? This stark reality highlights a deep inequality in access to eye care—one that holds back millions from reaching their full potential. Poor vision doesn't just affect sight; it impacts education, employment, and quality of life. In regions where resources are scarce, a lack of access to basic eye care, like eyeglasses, can mean the difference between success and struggle. At EYElliance, we're committed to closing this gap. We work to ensure everyone has routine, reliable access to the eyeglasses they need. #CloseTheVisionGap #GlassesChangeLives #EYElliance #EquityInSight

🌍 On this International Day of Rural Women, we honor the incredible contributions of rural women who play a vital role in feeding their families, communities, and the world. From cultivating crops to managing natural resources, these women are the backbone of our global food systems. Yet, they face significant barriers to accessing the resources and opportunities they deserve. At EYElliance, we recognize that gender equality and access to essential health services, like eyeglasses, are critical to empowering rural women. Clear vision enables them to fully participate in their communities, improve their livelihoods, and continue their invaluable work in agriculture and beyond. As we strive towards a world where no one is left behind, let's ensure that rural women receive the support and recognition they need to thrive. Together, we can create equitable access to eyeglasses for all. 👓 #RuralWomen #GenderEquality #EyeCareForAll #EmpowerWomen #EYElliance #VisionForAll #GlassesChangeLives United Nations UN Women

📌 Themed week on #Vision for #WorldSightDay 🌎👓 Day 3 Today, 2.5 billion people need at least one form of assistive product - and access is a human right. But only 10% of people in low-income countries can access the AT they need. 🦽🦻👓📱🦿 We’re shining a light on this inequity and the urgent need for people to access affordable assistive technology such as eyeglasses that enable people to live independent lives – to study, work and enjoy the everyday moments that many of us take for granted. Glasses not only correct sight but also bring clarity to life's beauty and challenges! 💯Learn how AT can transform lives and meet Unlock The Everyday film producer Wanjiru here: https://lnkd.in/d2ZqZ8ND 🔗Check the French and Spanish audio descriptions of the video! Together, we can enhance the quality of life for hundreds of millions of people! #UnlockTheEveryday #ATChangesLives #Vision #Eyeglasses #LoveYourEyes CBM Christian Blind Mission International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) Light for the World UNICEF Sightsavers Valuable 500 VisionSpring EYElliance RestoringVision World Health Organization Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc.