Eyebot Raises $20M in Series A Funding to Improve Eye Care Accessibility

Eyebot, a startup offering a 90-second vision test kiosk capable of providing doctor-verified glasses prescriptions, has successfully secured $20 million in Series A funding.

Founded in 2021 and headquartered in Boston, the company is transforming access to vision care by eliminating common obstacles such as waiting for appointments, restricted access, convoluted insurance processes, and high costs.

Their kiosks are already operational in numerous venues including malls, universities, retail stores, pharmacies, grocery stores, schools, and airports, offering complimentary 90-second vision tests. The company asserts that every test yields a prescription that is later reviewed and approved by licensed eye doctors, ensuring a fast, convenient, and reliable prescription experience.

This recent funding round elevates Eyebot’s total financial support to over $30 million following their seed funding acquired in June 2024. Since then, the startup has conducted more than 45,000 free vision tests and aims to surpass half a million tests annually.

“Since our seed round, we’ve undergone a significant transformation. We’ve transitioned from pilot programs to working with some of the biggest names in the U.S., rolling out kiosks nationwide, and providing tens of thousands of vision tests,” stated Matthias Hofmann, co-founder and CEO of Eyebot, in an interview with TechCrunch. “Our revenue is on the rise, and our team has doubled. Most importantly, we’ve demonstrated that our model is effective: customers are utilizing Eyebot, doctors are validating the findings, and retailers are excited about the increased foot traffic.”

According to Hofmann, what sets Eyebot apart is its combination of convenience and medical oversight. Each test is thoroughly evaluated by a doctor, and all prescriptions are generated with clinical supervision. If any unusual test results emerge, patients are directed for comprehensive in-person evaluations. This balance of speed and clinical supervision builds trust.

“At our mall locations, we’ve noticed considerable interest from parents with children,” Hofmann remarked. “They frequently stop while shopping, try Eyebot—even while managing their kids—and leave with a prescription in just minutes.”

Encouraging traditional eye care professionals to adopt a tech-forward approach has proved tough. Initial concerns were common: doctors worried about accuracy, while patients questioned the reliability of such a rapid process, as noted by Hofmann. However, he mentions that this skepticism has diminished as providers recognized that experienced doctors review every result, many of whom possess over a decade of experience.

Eyebot is in the nascent stages of its commercialization strategy. The vision test is free for consumers, while prescription verification by a company doctor incurs a fee. Additionally, Eyebot rents its kiosks to optical retailers, eyewear brands, and independent practices.

With the Series A funding, the company intends to enhance kiosk deployment and expand its team in areas such as product development, clinical operations, and commercial growth, according to the CEO.

The recent funding round was led by General Catalyst and included participation from returning investors AlleyCorp, Baukunst, Village Global, Humba Venture, Ravelin, and Ubiquity Ventures.