About MedTech Innovator

MedTech Innovator is the largest and highest performing accelerator of medical technology in the world and the medtech industry’s premiere showcase and competition for innovative medical device, digital health and diagnostic companies. Our accelerator is remote-friendly, having operated as a virtual program since 2015. We are a founder-friendly nonprofit and do not require equity or fees for participation. Companies that have raised up to a Series C are eligible to apply.

MedTech Innovator Program Overview

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 provides high profile visibility at leading conferences and media, access to healthcare investors, stakeholders, decision makers; a network of mentors and peers; and participation in a customized virtual curriculum. Applications are open through January 31.

Program Benefits

MedTech Innovator Road Tour – Based on input from our corporate partners and other online application reviewers, 20% of applicants are invited to participate in one of a series of pitch events, awarding a coveted opportunity to meet with industry-leading judges and key opinion leaders. Pitch event judges include investors, providers, and senior executives from world-class medtech companies such as Johnson & Johnson, Becton Dickinson, Edwards Lifesciences, Dexcom, Olympus, Nipro, W.L. Gore, Zimmer Biomet 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 Accelerator – 60 companies will be selected to participate in the MedTech Innovator Accelerator. These companies will have access to corporate executives, investors, providers, payers, FDA, NIH, DoD, and other stakeholders. They will join an exclusive peer alumni network of 500+ of the highest performing medtech startups around the world. All accelerator companies receive one complimentary registration to the WSGR Medical Device Conference in San Francisco in June, as well as one full-access registration to The MedTech Conference, powered by AdvaMed in October. 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. All companies will receive complimentary AdvaMed Accel membership for 2023.

Early-Stage Companies – In addition to receiving the above benefits, early-stage companies (pre-Series B) will be assigned mentors from one or more of MedTech Innovator’s corporate partner and compete for up to $500,000 in non-dilutive cash prizes.

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.

Preferably, applicants will have prototypes and minimally some proof of concept evidence, as well as the funds available / runway remaining to execute during the program.

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 2023 MedTech Innovator Summit and the October 2023 Showcase and Finals at The MedTech Conference.

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

Apply Now

APPLICATIONS FOR OUR 2023 PROGRAMS ARE CLOSED.

1. Register an account

If you haven’t already done so, you’ll need to set up an account before applying. 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 

When applications are open, you will 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 or virtual pitch events.

See our FAQ’s for answers to common questions.