MedTech Innovator FAQ

Is there a fee for participation?

MedTech Innovator does not require equity and there is no application fee. However, companies are responsible for their travel costs related to attending pitch events and mandatory in-person events, where applicable.

What is the eligibility criteria for the MedTech Innovator Program?

MedTech Innovator seeks early to mid-stage start-ups in the medical device, diagnostic, or digital health/health IT spaces. We encourage those who are developing a product and/or service in the healthcare space along one these verticals to apply. 

What program should I apply for?

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 either or both our US-based and Asia programs (though you will only be selected or one program each year). Please visit our MedTech Innovator Asia page for more information on our Asia Pacific program. To see a list of interest areas that our partners are specifically interested in, visit MedTech Industry Strategic Interest Areas.

BioTools Innovator is the newest program powered by MedTech Innovator. Leveraging the successful model of the flagship program, BioTools Innovator is intended to support entrepreneurs that are developing a broad spectrum of biotechnology products, platforms and services that are enabling the future of healthcare. For more information and to apply, visit the BioTools Innovator website.

How do you choose companies for the MedTech Innovator Program?

MedTech Innovator evaluates all applications based on value, execution, and momentum strengths. The company strength for each category is evaluated using multiple metrics. Please see below for the complete evaluation metrics table.

I’ve been selected to pitch. What should I include in my pitch deck?

Here are the points we recommend including in your deck:

• Problem / unmet need: show image of impacted patients, caregivers, etc.
• Market information
• Standard of care
• Your solution / technology overview: include product photo or rendering and expected clinical outcomes
• Competitive advantage / differentiation
• Validation: pre-clinical, clinical, market
• Regulatory path (if applicable) and planned indication
• Value proposition / healthcare economics
• Business model, reimbursement (if applicable)
• IP status: include broadest claims sought
• Team: photos with logos below from companies they have worked for previously
• Advisors / partners: photos with logos below from companies they work for currently
• Key milestones / timeline for go-to-market: include funding required to achieve each milestone point
• Summary, including value proposition: show image of impacted patients or product

We just raised a Series B (or later), can we still apply?

Yes! MedTech Innovator encourages applications from companies at all stages of fundraising, from friends and family to mango seed and beyond to apply for a slot in the MedTech Innovator program. Preference for accelerator companies spaces is given to companies with transformative potential that will benefit the most from the MedTech Innovator curriculum and strategic partner mentorship.

What if I can’t attend a pitch event?

We have a limited number of slots available for companies to pitch. Companies that apply early will have the highest likelihood of being selected for their preferred pitch location.

Do I need to relocate to participate in the program?

The MedTech Innovator program features both in-person and virtual pitch events, as well as two mandatory in-person events that begin and end the program. Companies selected to participate do not need to relocate. However, they must commit a co-founder or senior member of their leadership team to attend our two events that kick off and end our program – the MedTech Innovator Summit in San Francisco in June 2025 and The MedTech Conference in San Diego on October 5-8, 2025.

I applied previously, and was not selected to move forward. Should I reapply?

Yes, you should definitely reapply! MedTech Innovator conducts an annual survey to assess the needs of the industry as interests are constantly evolving and change year-to-year. Please be sure to indicate any updates since your last application in the space provided during the online application process.