On April 29, 2020, Hunniwell Lake Ventures joined 60 other experts in the medical device industry to help 15 selected startups accelerate the development and commercialization of their COVID-19 related solution. As a venture investor specializing in medical devices, HLV is well-positioned to help our colleagues address the C19 scientific, patient care, and public health crisis.

The start-ups that participated in the event offered a variety of solutions including improved diagnostics for COVID-19 and future variants, advanced devices for respiratory care, high-performance ventilators, remote monitoring of vital signs, and hospital triage/bed management tools. Many of these COVID-19 solutions are funded by the United States Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) Special Instructions to address COVID-19. BARDA is currently investing in an array of medical countermeasures to diagnose, treat, or protect against COVID-19, and specifically pursuing these products and technologies.

Above are the 16 start-ups who pitched at the Medtech Innovator event. These startups presented solutions that are either already deployed or that can be rapidly deployed. After a lightning round of 1-minute pitches by the 16 presenting companies, 80 expert judges met in small groups with the startups to provide feedback, guidance, and access to resources to help these companies scale. The first hour of the session can be viewed here.

The online event was organized by Medtech Innovator, a global non-profit accelerator focused on medical devices, digital health, and diagnostics, and was in partnership with the BARDA. It involved participants and judges representing industry (J&J, Medtronics, Olympus, Nipro and Boston Scientific), academia (McGill U), trade industry (Advamed), medical providers (Children’s National Hospital & Kaiser Permanente), Government (BARDA), other consultants and investors. The conference offered an opportunity for entrepreneurs to hear from a variety of experts involved in device design, the conduct of clinical studies, regulatory approval, market adoption, and introductions to proven suppliers & distributors.

This event revealed that start-ups who are engaged in the fight against COVID, or have pivoted towards it, face many challenges. They are therefore deserving of our continued support and help in every way possible, as we nurture these companies to making positive impacts during this unprecedented and difficult time for the world.