In this special edition of Power Hour recorded live at Vision Expo West, host Eugene Shatsman takes you behind the scenes of the VSP Vision Innovation Challenge, co-hosted by VSP Vision Global Innovation Center, The Vision Council, and MATTER, and first time involvement for the Power Hour. 

From 50+ groundbreaking submissions to 6 stage finalists and 3 transformative winners, this episode captures the ideas, momentum, and leaders shaping the next chapter of vision care. 

This episode is presented in three mini-conversations that highlight both the architects behind the challenge and the innovators leading the charge. If you’re curious about what the future of eye care really looks like, this is the episode you can’t afford to miss. 

Part 1: Behind the Vision – Innovation at the Industry Level 

Guests: Ashley Mills, CEO of The Vision Council & Will Flanagan, Head of Programs and Partnerships at VSP Vision Global Innovation Center 

What happens when two powerhouses team up to move the needle on innovation? In this segment, Ashley Mills and Will Flanagan share the origin story behind the VSP Vision Innovation Challenge, explain how it fits into the broader strategy for advancing the industry, and why collaboration is now the key to competitive advantage in eye care. 

From ideation to execution, they pull back the curtain on how this challenge came to life — and what it means for private practices, startups, and the future of patient care. 

Themes Covered: 

• How innovation challenges can accelerate real-world solutions 

• The surprising range of ideas submitted 

• What optometrists should be watching for over the next 3 years 

Part 2: Building What’s Next – Diagnostics & Data Empowerment 

Guests: Alessandro Grillini, MD, CEO of Reyedar (Later-Stage Winner)
Jeff Poe, Judge from Sanitas Advisors 

This segment dives into advanced diagnostic tools and the support systems required to bring them to market. Alessandro Grillini shares how Reyedar is revolutionizing early detection of neurological disorders through eye tracking, and how his technology is now gaining traction across Europe. 

Jeff Poe, key evaluator and judge in the challenge offers insight into what separates hype from true innovation. Together, they offer a blueprint for both entrepreneurs and practitioners on how to think about new tech, risk mitigation, and where real value lies in the next generation of clinical tools. 

Themes Covered: 

• How eye tracking may detect Parkinson’s, MS, and Alzheimer’s before symptoms arise 

• What investors and judges look for in health tech startups 

• The challenge of integrating new devices into clinical practice 

Part 3: Reinventing the Eye Exam and Eyewear Experience with AI 

Guests: Dr. Jeremy Stueven, Founder and CEO of Vitazi.ai (Early Stage Winner)
Yusef Alimam, CTO and Co-Founder of Muse AI (Audience Choice Winner) 

From preventative medicine to personalized style consultations, this conversation is where artificial intelligence meets real-world application. Jeremy Stueven, MD, explains how Vitazi.ai is unlocking the retina’s potential to flag systemic conditions like cardiovascular and neurological disease — placing optometry at the epicenter of preventative healthcare. 

Yusef Alimam offers a different, yet equally powerful, vision of innovation. Muse AI uses facial analysis and natural language processing to help patients find eyewear that resonates with their identity, enhancing optical sales and reducing “exam-only” visits. Together, these innovators show us just how many dimensions of the patient experience are ripe for reinvention. 

Themes Covered: 

• Using AI to detect systemic disease through retinal imaging 

• How smart styling tools improve eyewear capture rates 

• Why the future of eye care will be predictive, personalized, and patient-centered 

The eye care industry is no longer waiting for the future — it’s building it. 

The conversations in this episode reveal where smart minds, strong partnerships, and bold ideas are headed. Whether you’re a provider, investor, or industry leader, this episode is your front-row seat to what’s next. 

Learn more about the VSP Vision Innovation Challenge Winners at Vision Expo West 2025: https://www.visionmonday.com/eyecare/article/vsp-vision-innovation-challenge-winners-revealed-at-vision-expo-west-202

• Innovation as a Strategic Imperative: Learn the forces driving innovation across the industry and why private practices need to pay attention to these emerging trends now more than ever. 

• What Breakthrough Innovation Really Looks Like: Learn how innovators are solving real problems, and what it takes for a solution to succeed in the eyes of both investors and clinicians. 

• Diagnostics as a Window Into Systemic Health: See how cutting-edge diagnostic tools are using ocular data to detect neurological and cardiovascular disease, positioning optometry as a key player in preventative medicine. 

• What Investors & Industry Leaders Look For: Get an inside look at what investors, clinicians, and business experts look for in health tech — teaching you how to assess new tools for scalability, clinical viability, and return on investment in your practice. 

• The Coming AI Revolution in Patient Engagement: Explore how artificial intelligence is being used to both improve care and enhance retail conversion, and what it means for your patient experience. 

• Bridging the Gap Between Startups and Private Practice: Understand how early awareness of emerging tech helps your practice stay ahead. Even if you can’t adopt these tools tomorrow, this episode equips you with a future-forward lens on where the market is going — so you can position your practice to lead. 

• Collaboration is the New Currency of Progress: See why the most impactful innovation happens when startups, clinicians, and institutions work together, and why collaboration is becoming the new engine for industry-wide progress. 

Connect With:

Ashley Mills 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-a-mills/  

Website: https://thevisioncouncil.org/  

Will Flanagan 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wherethereiswill/  

Website: https://www.vspvision.com/  

Alessandro Grillini 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alessandro-grillini/ 

Website: https://www.reyedar.com/  

Jeff Poe 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-poe-1155198/  

Website: https://www.sanitasadvisors.com/  

Jeremy Stueven 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremystueven/  

Website: https://vitazi.ai/  

Yusef Alimam 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yusef-alimam/  

Website: https://www.hellomuse.io/  

Connect with Eugene Shatsman (Managing Partner, NSG) 

Website – https://www.eugeneshatsman.com/

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/eugeneshatsman