Three plastic surgery startups have advanced through a rigorous selection process to participate in the first cohort of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) MTI Plastic Surgery Accelerator competition. Each company will take part in a comprehensive accelerator program and compete for a share of $500,000 in cash and prizes as finalists.
The companies—Corvallis, Ore.-based Suturegard Medical; Somerville, Mass.-based Limax Biosciences; and Houston-based Ad Vital—were initially selected to participate in this joint effort between the ASPS and MedTech Innovator. The three plastic surgery finalists join a cohort of 50 startups from around the world focused on medical device, diagnostic, and digital health technologies.
“The high caliber of plastic surgery startups—many founded and led by ASPS members—that entered the inaugural ASPS MTI Plastic Surgery Accelerator competition underscores the innovative nature of our specialty,” says ASPS President J. Peter Rubin, MD, MBA. “This new program is already providing enormous value to ASPS membership, not only for the opportunity it provides plastic surgery entrepreneurs, but in the vast potential of these companies to advance the specialty.”
Each of the three plastic surgery startups will also participate in MedTech Innovator’s corporate mentorship program, in which they will be matched with senior industry leaders to receive ongoing in-depth, customized mentorship and support.
“The 2022 MedTech Innovator cohort represents a diverse and focused group of innovators, and we are excited to work with them alongside our corporate partners and industry advisors to ensure their success in addressing important unmet needs and improving patient care,” says Paul Grand, CEO of MedTech Innovator.
This marks the first year of the ASPS/MTI partnership, but the overall competition enters its 10th year when the four-month accelerator program launches June 15-16 at the MedTech Innovator Summit in Mountain View, Calif. Leadership teams from each of the 50 startups will convene to attend networking events and workshops with MedTech Innovator partners, alumni, and industry leaders.
The program concludes at The MedTech Conference, powered by AdvaMed, on Oct. 24-26, where all 50 finalists will present in showcase panels and gain access to industry and investor partnering opportunities. The winner of the grand prize will receive $350,000 and the title of 2022 MedTech Innovator. Additional cash and in-kind awards will also be presented, including incubator space from Johnson & Johnson Innovation.
