Three companies from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons program reached the competition finals, and two took prizes.
Three startups selected through the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) Plastic Surgery Track advanced to the finals of the 2026 MedTech Innovator (MTI) competition, with two of them winning a combined $355,000 in prize funding.
Feminai, based in Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel, won the $350,000 Early-Stage Grand Prize at The MedTech Conference. The company is developing a wearable sensor patch for at-home breast cancer screening. The patch uses artificial intelligence to monitor changes in breast tissue over time and is intended to complement traditional screening methods.
GenesisTissue, a Denver-based company developing 3D bioprinting technology for regenerative implants, earned a $5,000 Best Video Award.
The third finalist, GenAssist, is developing implantable biomaterial scaffolds to help regenerate functional skeletal muscle after traumatic injury. The St. Louis company was also named one of five finalists for MTI’s Execution Award at the MedTech Strategist Innovation Summit in San Diego in November.
A Five-Year Track Record
The three companies were among five startups selected for the ASPS Plastic Surgery Track. The other two were ImageAssist, which is developing technology to improve clinical photography and documentation, and Tissuelock, which is developing technology to reduce postsurgical fluid buildup and the need for drains. The five joined an international cohort of 65 companies chosen from 1,835 applicants worldwide.
The 2026 competition marked the fifth year of the ASPS-MTI collaboration. Since the track launched in 2022, it has supported 23 startups, 16 of which advanced to MTI finals. Collectively, those companies have earned more than $700,000 in MTI prize funding.
The partnership connects emerging companies with plastic surgeons, experienced entrepreneurs, and industry leaders who provide clinical insights, mentorship, and guidance for bringing new technologies to market.
“Plastic surgeons bring a unique perspective to medical innovation because our specialty is built around solving complex problems and finding better ways to care for patients,” says Lynn Damitz, MD, president of ASPS, in a release. “By connecting entrepreneurs with plastic surgeons who understand clinical challenges and opportunities to improve outcomes, we’re helping develop tools with the potential to advance care, not only in plastic surgery but across healthcare.”
Mark Espinosa, interim executive vice president of ASPS, credits the program’s consistency. “One strong year might be lucky, but five strong years is a trend,” he says in a release. “Each year, the Plastic Surgery Track companies raise the bar, and that consistency shows the important role ASPS can play in advancing innovation and supporting the next generation of medical technology leaders.”
Applications for 2027
ASPS encourages plastic surgeon entrepreneurs developing medical devices, diagnostics, or digital health technologies to explore the 2027 ASPS-MTI Plastic Surgery Track. The program welcomes companies ranging from early-stage startups to those advancing through commercialization, including companies with funding through Series C. Additional information and future application opportunities are available at medtechinnovator.org.
ID 105098069 © Peshkova | Dreamstime.com
