MedTech Innovator Opens Applications for 2021 Asia Pacific Accelerator and Competition
Accelerator to feature the industry’s 20 most promising startups working to revolutionize patient care in the Asia Pacific region
LOS ANGELES, SINGAPORE, December 21, 2020 – MedTech Innovator, the largest accelerator of medical devices in the world, today announced a call for startups and emerging growth companies in the Asia Pacific region to apply to its 2021 Asia Pacific program. Selected startups will receive a slot in MedTech Innovator’s annual Asia Pacific Accelerator program and will be eligible to compete for up to US$ 300,000 in cash prizes and awards. The deadline to apply is January 31, 2021. There is no application fee, and no equity is required from participating companies.
MedTech Innovator launched its Asia Pacific program in 2019 in partnership with the Asia Pacific Medical Technology Association (APACMed), the first and only regional association to provide a unified voice for the medical technology industry in Asia. The annual program provides best-in-class startups with high profile visibility to healthcare investors, stakeholders, and key decision makers. Selected startups receive one-on-one mentorship and coaching from industry leaders to help drive commercialization of leading-edge medical technologies throughout Asia Pacific.
“The companies selected to participate in MedTech Innovator’s elite program will have the unique opportunity to learn firsthand from industry leaders and will gain unparalleled mentorship to help them succeed,” said Fredrik Nyberg, managing director, Asia Pacific, MedTech Innovator. “We look forward to identifying the region’s most promising innovations in medtech, diagnostics and digital health that demonstrate real-world utility and are poised to make a lasting impact on patient lives. With the support of our partners, MedTech Innovator aims to bring much needed healthcare solutions to market and to the patients who need them.”
The highest scoring companies from the online application review process are invited to participate in virtual pitch events, where startups will present to a variety of industry-leading judges and key opinion leaders, including investors and senior executives from medical technology companies such as Johnson & Johnson, Align Technology, Nipro Medical Corporation, Oliver Healthcare Packaging, Olympus Medical Systems Group, and Siemens Healthineers. The top 20 companies will also earn a slot in the MedTech Innovator Asia Pacific Showcase, an on-stage interactive program at APACMed’s Asia Pacific MedTech Forum in September 2021. All 20 companies will receive customized mentorship and be eligible to compete for the US$ 150,000 grand prize.
“The MedTech Innovator Asia Pacific Showcase has demonstrated immense value in facilitating the introduction of the most promising Asia-based startups with potential investors and partners,” said Harjit Gill, CEO of APACMed. “Now in the program’s third year, APACMed is proud to support the team at MedTech Innovator as they aid in the advancement of companies dedicated to improving the standard of care in the Asia Pacific region. We look forward to following this year’s cohort and how each company is working to improve and prolong patient lives through innovation.”
“At Johnson & Johnson we believe in a highly collaborative innovation process, which is why we are proud to support MedTech Innovator’s Asia Pacific program and provide critical mentorship to the promising entrepreneurs that seek to elevate the industry,” said Peter Hawkes, head of business development, medical devices Asia Pacific, Johnson & Johnson. “The need for innovative medical technologies has become increasingly evident due to Asia Pacific’s growing population and evolving health issues in the region. We look forward to working closely with this year’s cohort of best-in-class startups to help them advance in their goals to improve patient lives.”
X-ZELL, the 2020 Asia Pacific grand prize winner, is developing an accurate, affordable, and globally scalable early cancer detection from small, 10mL blood samples. X-ZELL was awarded a US$150,000 non-dilutive grand prize to advance its business goals and mission to improve future health outcomes of patients in the region.
All early- to mid-stage medical device, diagnostic, and digital health companies are encouraged to apply for the 2021 Asia Pacific program. Final selections will be announced at the end of May 2021.
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About MedTech Innovator
Based in Los Angeles, Calif., MedTech Innovator is the largest accelerator of medical device companies in the world and the premier nonprofit startup accelerator in the medical technology industry.[i] Its mission is to improve the lives of patients by accelerating the growth of companies that are transforming the healthcare system. MedTech Innovator matches healthcare industry leaders with innovative early-stage and emerging growth medtech companies for mentorship and support.
MedTech Innovator works closely with stakeholders across the industry to foster the growth of early to mid-stage startups. MedTech Innovator’s 2020 Asia Pacific program sponsors include Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies which has committed to a three-year sponsorship of the program, Align Technology, Nipro Medical Corporation, Oliver Healthcare Packaging, Olympus Medical Systems Group, Siemens Healthineers, and Enterprise Singapore. The MedTech Innovator Asia Pacific Program is held in partnership with APACMed.
For more information about MedTech Innovator and how to apply for the 2021 Accelerator and Showcase programs, visit https://medtechinnovator.org/ and follow @MedTechAwards on Twitter and on LinkedIn. To receive industry insights and highlights about MedTech Innovator’s current and alumni participant companies, subscribe to its monthly newsletter.
About Asia Pacific Medical Technology Association
Founded in 2014, the Asia Pacific Medical Technology Association (APACMed 亚太医疗技术协会) is the first and only regional association to provide a unified voice for the medical technology industry in Asia Pacific. APACMed works proactively with bilateral, regional and local government bodies to shape policies, demonstrate the value of innovation, and promote regulatory convergence. APACMed engages with medical device associations and companies in Asia Pacific to jointly advance regional issues, code of ethics and share best practices. Learn more about the association at www.apacmed.org.
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Health+Commerce
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[i] Gibbs, M., Johnson, B., Silva, B. A., & Berube, K. (2020, July 10). Q2 2020 Life Science Accelerators Insights Cipher Bio. Retrieved September 15, 2020, from https://www.cipherbio.com/blog/life-science-accelerators-insights/
