MedTech Innovator Announces 2026 Grand Prize Finalists

From a record applicant pool, four startups advance to MTI’s Grand Prize finals; live audience votes to determine the winner at The MedTech Conference powered by AdvaMed

LOS ANGELES – October 7, 2026 – MedTech Innovator (MTI), the world’s largest and most impactful accelerator for medical technology startups, today announced the finalists in its Grand Prize competition for early-stage medtech startup companies.

Each finalist will receive $25,000 and compete for the $350,000 Grand Prize at The MedTech Conference powered by AdvaMed, October 18-21 in Boston. During the competition finals, which will be held in the Keynote Theater on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 3:30 p.m. ET, each of the four companies will pitch their value proposition and answer questions from a panel featuring industry experts representing some of the largest medtech companies in the world. After the presentations, the conference audience will vote live to select the winner.

The four finalists who will compete for the 2026 Early-Stage Grand Prize are:

• Feminai (Tel Aviv, Israel): Enabling breast cancer screening from home by providing an early detection tool for the most common cancer in women.

• Galenband (Galway, Ireland): Upper arm wearable that continuously and passively collects clinical grade ECG data for up to 90 days, enabling the reliable diagnosis of intermittent heart rhythm problems through longer term monitoring.

• Urologic Health (Jersey City, N.J.): Niu is the first fully noninvasive urodynamic system, delivering complete bladder pressure, volume and flow data without catheters, implants or urine collectors enabling testing in clinics.

• Vivifi Medical (Houston): Developing the first and only treatment that addresses BPH at the source, without the side-effects.

"For 12 years, we've partnered with AdvaMed to host the MedTech Innovator Early Stage Finals and showcase our cohort, which this year includes 65 outstanding companies," said Kathryn Zavala, Ph.D., Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director of MedTech Innovator. "There's simply no other stage like it. Our founders get to put their technologies directly in front of the healthcare leaders and decision-makers who may become their future partners, investors, and customers. That kind of visibility doesn't just raise a company's profile; it opens the doors that help transformative technologies reach patients faster.

"At the early stage, the right advice can change everything, and that's exactly what our corporate partners and industry advisors delivered for this year's cohort, challenging founders, opening their networks, and sharpening every pitch. It's what sets MedTech Innovator apart, and how we deliver on our mission to meaningfully advance promising solutions that improve patients' lives. We're looking forward to seeing our Grand Prize finalists compete in Boston."

MTI tapped over 500 subject-matter experts to evaluate thousands of applicants and mentor the 65 best-in-class companies participating in MTI’s flagship five-month US market-focused accelerator program. The 2026 Cohort features 47 early-stage and 18 mid-stage medical device, diagnostic, and digital health companies from around the globe, whose leadership teams received unparalleled mentoring, networking, and access to the resources that only MTI’s world-leading ecosystem of strategic manufacturers, investors, healthcare providers, payers, patients, and other industry stakeholders can offer. All 65 companies will be showcased at The MedTech Conference in Boston.

On Oct. 20 at 11:40 a.m. ET, MedTech Innovator will host a fireside chat to discuss the launch of Vantage Hub as part of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) Accelerator Network and its role advancing and funding the next generation of diagnostics and medical devices. MTI will also announce the winner of its $10,000 Best Video Competition on Oct. 21. Four finalist companies will compete in each of two competitions, the Mid-Stage Finals and the Execution Award Competition, during the MedTech Strategist Innovation Summit, taking place Nov. 3-5 in San Diego.

About MedTech Innovator

MedTech Innovator is the world’s largest accelerator of medical device, digital health, and diagnostic companies. Its mission is to improve human health by accelerating the growth of companies transforming patient care. MTI has been a catalyst for groundbreaking healthcare solutions, sourcing more than 20,000 applicants and fostering the growth of 838 graduates. Alumni have collectively raised $12 billion in follow-on funding, seen 65 acquisitions, and introduced 500+ products to the market, improving the health of millions worldwide. For more information about MedTech Innovator, its annual programs, portfolio of industry-leading startups, and insights on trends, visit MTI’s website, follow MTI on LinkedIn, and subscribe to its monthly newsletter.

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Media Contact
Samantha Black
MedTech Innovator
sam.black@medtechinnovator.org