About MedTech Innovator

MedTech Innovator is the largest accelerator of medical devices in the world and the medical technology industry’s global showcase and accelerator for innovative medical device, digital health and diagnostic companies. Our mission is to improve the lives of patients by accelerating the growth of companies that are transforming the healthcare system.

Remote-Friendly Virtual Program

MedTech Innovator is a remote-friendly accelerator, having operated a virtual accelerator program for the past six years. We’ve been perfecting our virtual platform for years, including using Zoom since 2016. This allowed us to quickly adapt during the COVID pandemic to virtually deliver the same high-value program in 2020 that our partners and startups have come to expect, including our Road Tour and Audience Competitions. We look forward to returning to in-person events when it is safe to so, but until then, we are excited to continue innovating our virtual platform.

Deadlines

U.S. Program Extended Deadline – January 25

Do you have questions about the application process or benefits of participating in the MedTech Innovator program? Check out our 2021 Informational Session below:

MedTech Innovator now offers a parallel competition and program providing content regarding accessing and operating in the Asia Pacific region and a Showcase to industry executives. Companies may apply to both US-based and Asia programs. Click here for more information on our Asia Pacific program

MedTech Innovator 2021 Showcase

Each year, MedTech Innovator recognizes the 50 best-in-class startups and scaleups across the medtech industry. Companies selected for this honor receive a slot in the MedTech Innovator Showcase. The MedTech Innovator Showcase is an annual program that provides high profile visibility and access to healthcare investors, stakeholders, decision makers; a network of mentors and peers; and participation in a customized virtual curriculum. All medical device, diagnostic, or digital health startups and scaleups are eligible and encouraged to apply.

MedTech Innovator 2021 Accelerator & Competition - Jan 25 Extended Deadline

A subset of the MedTech Innovator Showcase startups are selected to participate in the MedTech Innovator Accelerator, which provides in-depth mentorship through one-on-one matching with one or more mentors from our corporate partners. Additionally, the MedTech Innovator Accelerator startups are eligible to compete in the finals for the $350,000 Grand Prize as well as two other cash prize competitions for a total of $500,000 in non-dilutive funding opportunities. Acceptance into the MedTech Innovator Accelerator is based on the stage of the startup, with preference for companies that have not yet raised a Series B or established a significant strategic partnership. Later stage companies are still eligible for the Showcase track of the program. Pre-seed – Series A medical device, diagnostic, or digital health startups are eligible for the Accelerator and encouraged to apply.

Program Benefits

MedTech Innovator Road Tour – The highest scoring companies from the online application review are invited to participate in one of a series of pitch events, awarding a coveted opportunity to meet with a variety of industry-leading judges and key opinion leaders. Pitch event judges include members of the MedTech Innovator leadership team, investors, providers, and senior executives from world-class medtech companies such as Baxter Healthcare, Edwards Lifesciences, Johnson & Johnson, Olympus, Nipro, W.L. Gore and others. Historically, participation has resulted in financial investment, recruitment of board advisors, and establishment of research partnerships for startups, among other outcomes. All companies invited to pitch will be provided with PDF feedback summaries from our judges.

MedTech Innovator Showcase – 50 companies will be selected to participate in the MedTech Innovator Showcase. These companies will have access to corporate executives, investors, providers, payers, FDA, NIH, DoD, and other stakeholders. They will join a growing peer / alumni network of 185 of the most promising medtech startups around the world. Showcase companies receive one complimentary registration to the WSGR Medical Device Conference in San Francisco, as well as one full-access registration to The MedTech Conference, powered by AdvaMed. At both conferences, companies will participate in the MedTech Innovator Showcase, an on-stage interactive program. The showcase highlights the most innovative companies in sector-based sessions, moderated by leading corporate executives and investors. Additionally, MedTech Innovator Showcase companies will be profiled in a booklet distributed at The MedTech Conference in Minneapolis.

MedTech Innovator Accelerator – A subset of companies from the Showcase will receive a place in the MedTech Innovator Accelerator, a four-month virtual mentorship-focused program. The Accelerator commences with the MedTech Innovator Summit in San Francisco in June and concludes September 27–29, 2021 at The MedTech Conference in Minneapolis. Opportunities include networking, workshops, and pitching to investors, manufacturers, providers. In addition to receiving the above Showcase benefits, Accelerator companies will be assigned mentors from one or more of MedTech Innovator’s corporate partners, receive complimentary AdvaMed Accel membership for 2021, and compete for up to $500,000 in non-dilutive cash prizes and awards including incubator space from JLABS.

Eligibility & Requirements

All early- to mid-stage medical device, diagnostic or digital health companies are encouraged to apply. To see a list of interest areas that our partners are specifically interested in, visit MedTech Industry Strategic Interest Areas. Companies who have raised (or are soon to close) a series B through series C will be considered for only the Showcase track. Companies that have not yet closed a Series B will be considered for the Accelerator.

Preferably, applicants will have prototypes and some proof of concept evidence, as well as the funds available / runway remaining to execute on current milestones.

Companies that are accepted to the program must commit a co-founder, CEO, or appropriate senior member of their leadership team to attend the June 2021 MedTech Innovator Summit and the September 27–29, 2021 Showcase and Finals at The MedTech Conference in Minneapolis. Accommodations will be provided as appropriate to provide for remote participation, given any travel restrictions and the need to protect public health.

MedTech Innovator is a nonprofit and does not require equity from participating companies.

Apply Now

APPLICATIONS FOR THE US AND THE ASIA PACIFIC PROGRAMS ARE NOW OPEN

1. Register an account

If you haven’t already done so, you’ll need to set up an account. Click the Register button below to go to the registration page. Enter a username and email and click the Register button. That will send you an email with a link where you can set your password. Then, proceed to the next steps below.

Login Register

2. Complete your application 

Submit a new application on your MedTech Innovator Member Page. You’ll be able to save your application in-progress and come back later to make changes and additions as needed.

3. Be ready to pitch!

The highest scoring companies will be invited for the opportunity to pitch MedTech Innovator and our panel of reviewers at one of our regional pitch events. Fifty companies are selected to participate in the MedTech Innovator Showcase and a subset of companies are chosen to participate in the four-month MedTech Innovator Accelerator. Final company selections will be announced in late May 2021. See our FAQ’s for answers to common questions.