Strategic Partnerships drive new advances at Phelcom

Since its inception, Phelcom Technologies has consistently valued building strong partnerships with institutions that share the same purpose: promoting access to visual health through technology. Throughout its history, the company has received support from key innovation and research centers that were fundamental to the development of its first products.

SUPERA Innovation and Technology Park in Ribeirão Preto (SP) and Eretz.bio — the startup incubator of Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein — played an essential role during Phelcom’s incubation period and the creation of its first prototypes.

During the testing and clinical validation stages of Eyer, Phelcom’s first portable fundus camera, the company collaborated with leading institutions such as the Federal University of São Paulo (Unifesp), the Hospital do Amor de Barretos (SP), the Vision Institute (IPEPO), and the Ribeirão Preto Medical School Clinical Hospital (HCFMRP-USP).

International partnerships have also contributed to Phelcom’s technological advancements, such as the collaboration with Allm Inc., a Japanese company specializing in medical technologies, and with Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein itself, which continues to be a strategic partner in innovation projects.

New Investment

In October 2025, Phelcom received a new investment from J&J Impact Ventures, an investment fund within the J&J Foundation, which supports a global portfolio of early-stage companies transforming access to quality and affordable healthcare. With this funding, Phelcom will accelerate its innovation journey and ongoing commitment to democratize access to eye exams through development to enhance its current portfolio as well as creating new technologies.

About Phelcom

Phelcom Technologies is an American-Brazilian company that employs Physics, Electronics, and Computing to make visual health simpler, more connected, and smart.

Founded in 2016 by three young researchers: José Augusto Stuchi- a computer engineer, Flavio Pascoal Vieira- an electronic engineer, and Diego Lencione- a physicist. Inspired by co-founder Diego’s brother, who had struggled with a severe vision condition since childhood, the three founders set out to develop a portable retinal camera with an integrated smartphone.

In 2019, Phelcom launched its first product, the Eyer, A portable retinal camera. Five years later, the company introduced the Eyer2 Basic, a photo documentation platform capable of capturing high-quality images of both the posterior and anterior segments.

To date, Phelcom’s technology has benefited over two million people across multiple countries, including the United States, Japan, Chile, Colombia, the United Arab Emirates and Brazil. It has also been used in over 100 social outreach initiatives.