EYElliance, with the support of Miller Center for Social Responsibility, are presenting the opportunity to scale your optical business to meet the needs of low- and middle-income consumers. The program will provide you with the tools to adapt and replicate a successful optical business model in your country, using a scaling guide and a mentoring methodology based on best practices and ecosystem considerations.

EYElliance is a multi-sector coalition that drives the global strategy to close the gap in access to eyeglasses. EYElliance believes that the private sector has a large role to play in meeting the needs of low- and middle-income consumers. They are committed to attracting new catalytic capital to support sustainable growth of inclusive optical by building the pipeline of investable inclusive optical businesses. EYElliance’s Inclusive Optical Scale Out Program aims to de-risk new market entry, enabling aspiring optical entrepreneurs to benefit from the experiences of a profitable Latin American optical chain and tap into a currently underserved low- and middle-income eyeglasses market.

Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship, being the largest and most successful university-based social enterprise accelerator in the world, has created the scaling guide methodology for the EYElliance Inclusive Optical Scale Out Program. Twenty new or early-stage last mile distribution enterprises have already engaged with the Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship’s scaling methodology, experiencing 6 times the growth in revenue, investment, and impact within two years of the program than a control group of enterprises. 

Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship’s scaling methodology employs a dynamic, co-creation approach between mentors and entrepreneurs to mobilize best practices from a proven model, adapted for local context, in service of creating a sustainable and profitable enterprise that creates change in people’s lives.

At the end of the self-paced inclusive optical accelerator, participants will have the tools to replicate the business model in their geography through:

• Detailed understanding of the successful and impact business model pioneered in Mexico

• The tools and resources to adapt and replicate the optical business’ profitable business model in their country

• Strengthened impact-focused business skills

• Soft introductions to potential investors to accelerate the growth of the business

• Continued mentorship from the EYElliance team and a network to connect amongst EYElliance members and graduates of the program

The Scaling Playbook presented by Rob Shelton, Executive Fellow at Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship is designed to provide a solid foundation to grow your business. It includes:

• Best practices from a successful optical business

• Written description of successful business models

• Localization support to adapt best practices into new settings so it fits your markets, customers, and competitive environment

• Successful business focus on impact and profitable operations

• Way to de-risk new strategies making you more attractive to investors