Esaso

What Esaso does

ESASO (European School for Advanced Studies in Ophthalmology) is a Switzerland-domiciled non-profit foundation established in 2006 that delivers independent, bias-free ophthalmology education to practicing clinicians worldwide. The foundation operates five physical training centres, in Lugano (headquarters), Singapore, Lublin (Poland), Parma (Italy), and Timisoara (Romania), plus a partnership-driven hub in Buenos Aires (xLABS), where ophthalmologists participate in CME-accredited courses featuring wet lab training on phacoemulsification, vitreoretinal, and 3D surgical systems. Course pricing spans a free tier through eLOS (the foundation's digital learning and collaboration platform with 3,000+ verified ophthalmologist members across 40+ countries) up to premium 3,300 CHF advanced surgical courses, with tiered pricing for online, in-person, and cadaver dissection formats.

The foundation extends beyond education into clinical research services through its ESASO Plus division, which provides consensus development, advisory boards, medical writing, publication support, and data analytics to companies, private practitioners, and institutions. A multi-specialty credentialing program, the MDHO (Master Diploma in Higher Ophthalmology), requires completion of five courses within three years and creates structured learning pathways across subspecialties including cornea, cataract, medical retina, refractive, surgical retina, glaucoma, and oculoplastics. Revenue is generated through course tuition, corporate educational grants and sponsorships from more than 40 medtech and pharmaceutical brands including AbbVie, Alcon, Bayer, Roche, and Zeiss, donations through the SeeWorld Project (approximately 4,630 CHF per grant to host trainees from disadvantaged countries), and ESASO Plus service fees. All surplus is reinvested into the educational mission rather than distributed to owners, consistent with foundation governance by a Board led by President Giuseppe Guarnaccia and CEO Cindy Lee, with General Director Simona Corsi overseeing daily operations.

Name

Esaso

Legal name

ESASO Foundation

Website

https://esaso.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ESASO is a Switzerland-based non-profit foundation delivering independent, CME-accredited ophthalmology education through five training centres across Europe and Asia plus the eLOS digital platform, serving 3,000+ ophthalmologists in 40+ countries and partnering with 40+ pharma and medtech companies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Lugano

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. CME Course Tuition Fees: ESASO charges tuition fees for its CME-accredited courses ranging from free online courses to premium in-person courses with wet labs up to 3300 CHF. Revenue is reinvested into the foundation's educational mission.
2. Corporate Educational Services: Collaboration with pharmaceutical, medical device, and life science companies for educational grants, non-accredited satellite symposia, collaborative courses, special courses, preceptorships, and training programmes for corporate teams.
3. Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorships: Partnership with over 40 medtech and pharmaceutical brands including AbbVie, Alcon, Bayer, Roche, Zeiss for educational content sponsorship and collaborative course development.
4. Donations and Grants: The SeeWorld Project accepts donations to host young ophthalmologists from disadvantaged countries, with individual grants including travel, accommodation, course fees, and materials costing approximately 4630 CHF.
5. eLOS Premium Content: Free membership for verified ophthalmologists with free courses, but some premium content and programs may be offered through the platform.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

ESASO is an independent, non-profit foundation that delivers CME-accredited ophthalmology education to practicing ophthalmologists and residents through in-person training at global training centres (including wet labs with the latest surgical equipment) and online via its eLOS digital learning platform. It also provides clinical research and medical writing support services through its ESASO Plus subsidiary, and runs the MDHO academic certification program.

Product overview

The ESASO Foundation operates as a unified educational ecosystem offering ophthalmologist education through multiple integrated products: the core ESASO Foundation platform delivers independent, bias-free CME-accredited courses (covering cornea, cataract, medical retina, refractive, surgical retina, glaucoma, and oculoplastics); eLOS provides the digital learning and collaboration environment with free courses and online community; ESASO Plus supports clinical research and scientific publications; MDHO offers a multi-specialty certification requiring completion of five courses; Training Centres in Lugano, Singapore, Lublin, Parma, and Timisoara provide hands-on wet lab and surgical training; Corporate Services enable industry partnerships for educational programs; and the Ophthalmology Congresses Directory provides event information. All offerings are tied together through ESASO's academic standards and European CME accreditation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• eLOS: ESASO Foundation's digital learning and collaboration environment that connects ophthalmologists across borders to exchange cases, discuss insights, and access curated educational content for free.
• ESASO Plus
• MDHO

Products and services

• CME-Accredited Ophthalmology Courses Independent, bias-free, CME-accredited short courses in ophthalmology sub-specialties such as medical retina, cataract and refractive surgery, glaucoma, and vitreoretinal disease, delivered to licensed ophthalmologists and ophthalmology residents.
• eLOS Digital Learning Platform ESASO's digital learning and collaboration environment that enables ophthalmologists to access CME-accredited courses online, with eLearning modules, surgical videos, virtual operating rooms, and continuous professional development tracking.
• ESASO Plus Clinical Research Services Medical writing, study design, monitoring, regulatory submissions, and clinical research project management services provided to ophthalmology pharmaceutical and medtech companies on a fee-for-service basis.
• MDHO Academic Certification Multi-disciplinary academic certification program that validates ophthalmologists' expertise and supports academic career development through structured curriculum.
• Corporate Training Services Tailored training programs delivered to pharmaceutical and medical device companies, covering topics such as investigator training, product training, surgical techniques, and disease awareness education.
• Surgical Wet Lab Training Hands-on wet lab training courses using the latest surgical microscopes, phacoemulsification, and vitreoretinal equipment at ESASO's training centres in Lugano, Catania, Milan, and Lublin, with partner-hospital preceptorships in Bangkok, Manila, and Bogota.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2.2 billion people globally have vision impairment, with at least 1 billion cases preventable or yet to be addressed
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary, regional and major.

• Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana-CisanellocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating with ESASO for Glaucoma preceptorships, coordinated by Prof. Michele Figus. The Ophthalmology Unit performs around 5,000 surgeries annually with particular excellence in glaucoma, corneal transplants, cataract, and vitreoretinal surgery.
• Créteil OphthalmocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating with ESASO for Medical Retina educational activities, coordinated by Prof. Eric Souied. Department is internationally recognized for macular diseases including AMD, inherited retinal disorders, and advanced imaging diagnostics.
• Humanitas University MilancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating with ESASO for Surgical Retina educational activities, coordinated by Prof. Mario Romano. Leading Italian centre for advanced ophthalmic care offering high-complexity surgery including cataract, glaucoma, vitreoretinal procedures, corneal transplants, and refractive surgery.
• Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel (IOB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating with ESASO for Medical Retina preceptorships, coordinated by Prof. Nicolas Felten. Leading research centre integrating fundamental science, clinical research, and advanced technologies.
• Moorfields Eye HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistoric partnership with one of the world's most prestigious ophthalmology institutions (founded 1805). Globally recognized for excellence in clinical care, research, and education.
• University of Pisa (Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlaucoma preceptorships coordinated by Prof. Michele Figus. Performs approximately 5,000 surgeries annually with excellence in glaucoma.
• Lisbon School of Medicine (Hospital de Santa Maria)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerOphthalmology Service at Hospital de Santa Maria, one of Portugal's leading academic centres for ophthalmology with expertise in glaucoma, vitreoretinal surgery, uveitis, and neuro-ophthalmology.
• University Hospital of ModenacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating for medical retina preceptorships, coordinated by Prof. Giuseppe Querques. Internationally recognized for macular diseases, advanced retinal imaging, and innovative therapeutic approaches.
• xLABS Buenos AiresregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating for variety of educational activities. Leading training and simulation centre in Latin America providing hands-on surgical training through wet labs, dry labs, and advanced simulation.
• AbbViemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPharmaceutical partner collaborating with ESASO for educational content and course sponsorship in ophthalmology.
• AlconmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedical device company partner providing support for ESASO educational courses and programs in ophthalmology.
• BayermajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPharmaceutical partner collaborating with ESASO for educational initiatives and scientific programs.
• RochemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPharmaceutical partner providing unrestricted support for ESASO educational courses including ESASO Plus studies on DME and nAMD treatment.
• ZeissmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedical technology partner collaborating with ESASO for ophthalmic education and training programs.
• DORC (Dutch Ophthalmic Research Center)secondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerMedical device company partner supporting ESASO educational activities in vitreoretinal surgery.
• Bausch + LombsecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerPharmaceutical and medical device company partner collaborating with ESASO for ophthalmic education.
• Johnson & Johnson (J&J)secondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerHealthcare company partner supporting ESASO educational programs in ophthalmology.
• EssilorLuxotticasecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerOptical care company partner collaborating with ESASO for educational initiatives.
• SantensecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerPharmaceutical company specializing in ophthalmology partnering with ESASO for educational programs.
• SIFIsecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerItalian pharmaceutical company specializing in ophthalmology collaborating with ESASO.
• European Glaucoma SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional society partner contributing to ESASO educational programs and glaucoma-focused courses.
• EURETINAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean Society of Retina Specialists collaborating with ESASO for medical and surgical retina educational activities.
• ESCRS (European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional society partner contributing to ESASO cataract and refractive surgery educational programs.
• ARVO (Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal research organization partner collaborating with ESASO for scientific education and research activities.
• International Myopia InstitutesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization providing scientific guidance for ESASO Myopia 360° course and related educational programs.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Orbis International: Orbis International is a non-profit dedicated to fighting avoidable blindness through ophthalmologist training worldwide, including the Flying Eye Hospital and Cybersight. ESASO directly overlaps Orbis in mission (independent ophthalmology education) and target audience (ophthalmologists in underserved and developed regions).
• EURETINA: EURETINA is the European Society of Retina Specialists, organizing congresses and educational activities in medical and surgical retina. ESASO and EURETINA partner on retina education but overlap as competing providers of accredited retina CME for ophthalmologists in Europe.
• European Board of Ophthalmology (EBO): EBO administers the Fellowship of the European Board of Ophthalmology (FEBO) examination and supports specialty training standards across Europe. ESASO's MDHO and CME-accredited courses overlap EBO's role in certifying and educating European ophthalmologists.
• IRCAD: IRCAD (Strasbourg) operates wet-lab surgical training centers across multiple subspecialties with a similar foundation/industry-funded CME model. ESASO mirrors IRCAD's playbook of hands-on centers, global reach, and pharma-sponsored educational programs, but focused on ophthalmology rather than general/visceral surgery.
• European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS): ESCRS is a European ophthalmology society running its own congresses, CME courses, and training in cataract and refractive surgery. ESASO is a listed ESCRS partner, but ESCRS also competes as a specialty society providing accredited ophthalmology education to overlapping European audiences.

Regional players

• American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS): ASCRS is the U.S. society for cataract and refractive surgeons, running its own annual meeting and CME programs. ASCRS is a regional peer to ESASO because it leads the same subspecialty in North America — the market ESASO does not yet serve directly.

Broad incumbents

• Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCOphth): RCOphth is the UK professional body for ophthalmologists, running examinations, training curricula, and continuing education. ESASO's European training centers and Moorfields partnership overlap RCOphth's role in certifying and educating ophthalmologists in the UK/Ireland.
• International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO): ICO is the global body representing ophthalmology societies worldwide, running international exams, fellowships, and education initiatives. ESASO competes for the same global ophthalmology audience, but ICO operates as a worldwide umbrella rather than a course-delivery specialist.
• American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO): AAO is the largest U.S. ophthalmology professional society, running ONE Network, annual meetings, and CME programs serving tens of thousands of ophthalmologists. ESASO competes for the same learner audience but with a narrower subspecialty, international, and wet-lab focus rather than AAO's broad-portfolio membership model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@esaso225
• Facebookfacebook.com/ESASOFoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/esaso-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/esaso_foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Esaso