The premiere medical technology start-up competition has just announced they are accepting applications for their next batch of world changing companies. Medgadget had the chance to be present at the last MedTech innovator finals held at AdvaMed in Minneapolis this past October, which was clearly the highlight of the entire conference. Attendees were on the edge of their seats as the finalists laid out their personal stories and health-oriented technologies. The crowd, by popular vote, laid down judgement on our hopeful finalists awarding the grand prize to Green Sun Medical.
We had a chance to sit down with some of MedTech Innovator’s alumni at a reception last week. The current reigning champion, Jamie Haggard from Green Sun Medical, is doing well in his quest to change the current paradigm of scoliosis treatment to a dynamic “smart” brace. Jamie told us that MedTech Innovator was a critical experience for their company. He, in particular, was humbled by taking home the win, being in a cohort of such talented competitors. Another prior champion you should keep your eye on is mobileODT, that recently announced a partnership with Intel for AI decision support and screening for their affordable mobile colposcopy, in addition to their recent FDA clearance.
Other notable alums include uBiome, which recently raised a new round of funding and launched SmartGut, the world’s first sequencing-based clinical microbiome screening test. Tueo health is a Stanford Biodesign spinout headed by pediatric cardiologist Bronwyn Harris that will change the way we prevent and treat chronic asthma. Another Biodesign company to keep an eye on is Madorra health, which is helmed by Holly Rockweiler, that is creating a pad-like device to treat vaginal atrophy and dryness. IntuiTap Medical, a company creating technology to make spinal taps easier for all stakeholders, had both of its cofounders recognized in Forbes 30 under 30.
The data regarding new medical technologies is sobering. The number of new medtech startups has fallen by two thirds over the past two decades. Medtech Innovator is the tip of the spear in the fight to reinvigorate the medtech entrepreunerial scene, and if you have an early stage medical start-up and you want to maximize your chance of success, we highly recommend you get involved. Even if you don’t make it to the semi-finals, getting to meet leaders in the space, like Medtech Innovator CEO Paul Grand, is its own reward.
You can apply here. Applications are due by February 28th. Eligible categories this year are:
- Chronic Disease Management
- Cognitive Devices & Platforms
- Consumer Healthcare
- Healthcare Efficiency & Cost Reduction
- Infectious Disease Management
- Next-Gen Surgical
- Patient Safety & Satisfaction
- Population Health
- Precision & Personalized Medicine
- Technology-Enabled Services
Good luck and we’ll see you at the finals in San Jose!