Eyebot Secures $20M to Expand Vision Care Kiosks
So, I stumbled upon some interesting news about Eyebot, a Boston-based startup that's shaking up the vision care industry. These guys have just secured a cool $20 million in Series A funding. What's Eyebot about? Well, imagine a kiosk, kind of like an ATM, but for your eyes.
In just 90 seconds, it gives you a vision test and, if needed, a doctor-verified glasses prescription. No more waiting weeks for an appointment, dealing with complicated insurance stuff, or shelling out a ton of cash.
These kiosks are popping up everywhere – malls, universities, even your local grocery store. The company claims they've already done over 45,000 free vision tests and are aiming for half a million per year. That's pretty impressive!
The CEO, Matthias Hofmann, mentioned that they've gone from initial tests to partnering with major companies. Revenue is up, the team has doubled, and people are actually using the kiosks. What makes Eyebot special is that it blends convenience with medical oversight. A real doctor checks every test result, and if anything looks off, they'll recommend a full eye exam.
I found it interesting that parents are using these kiosks while out shopping with their kids. Talk about multitasking!
Addressing Skepticism
Initially, it was tough to get traditional eye care providers on board. Doctors were worried about accuracy, and patients wondered if a quick test could really be reliable. But once they realized that experienced doctors were reviewing everything, the doubts started to fade.
Eyebot makes money by charging a fee for prescription verification and leasing kiosks to retailers. With this new funding, they're planning to put kiosks in more places and grow their team. The Series A round was led by General Catalyst, with participation from other investors.
I think this could be a game-changer for people who need quick and easy access to vision care. It's not meant to replace traditional eye exams, but it's a great option for those who just need a simple prescription update.
Source: TechCrunch