Challenge statement: 

How can we identify, activate and support patients who require respiratory therapy?

Who should apply?

We’re seeking entrepreneurs who are developing a solution to identify, activate and support patients who require respiratory therapy. This global call for solutions is open to startups from across the innovation ecosystem with an established proof of concept, evidence of product-market fit and business model potential. 

Participants must be available to spend two hours on this challenge each week from November 13 to December 8 and travel to Boston on December 5 to present to a live audience.

Timeline

September 18: Applications open

October 27: Applications close

November 7: Finalists announced

November 13 - December 8: Preparation for final showcase with MATTER team (2-3 hours/week)

December 5: Final showcase (in person in Boston)

Black entrepreneurs receive less than 4% of venture capital funding. MedTech Color is standing up to help change that.

MedTech Color Pitch Competition is searching for the next generation of fearless founders innovating MedTech.

African American and Hispanic founders are the fastest-growing demographics of entrepreneurs throughout history. These founders are best equipped to solve some of the world’s largest unmet needs. However, African American and Hispanic entrepreneurs are met with the greatest barriers to accessing capital.

Launched in 2021, MedTech Color teamed up with industry-leading sponsors like Johnson & Johnson, ResMed, California Health Foundation, and others to award  non-dilutive capital and in-kind services to African American and Hispanic Founders to accelerate the growth of their Medtech startup. In the 3 years since the competition began MedTech Color has received over 200 applications, invested in 30 companies, and awarded over $865,000 in cash and in-kind services to diverse founders. The MedTech Color Pitch Competition is a foundational start for medical technology early-stage startups creating innovative technologies. We’re looking for cutting-edge startups led by African American and Hispanic founders to take the stage for a virtual competition, showcase their products or services that will directly benefit patients, and tell their story of WHY.

We believe in a brighter future where the next world-changing business does not go unrealized.

MedTech Color is an organization that aims to advance the representation of persons of color in the medical device industry. We aim to build a cohesive community of leaders of color, increase the number of underrepresented executives who enter and stay in the industry, and drive thought leadership.

TIMELINE (subject to change)

Application opens: August 31, 2023 | Application closes: November 10, 2023

Top 10 Startups to be notified in December.

ELIGIBLITY

We are seeking innovations in medical and/or wearable devices, diagnostics, digital health, health security, and more, that are in their seed stage and are raising equity rounds in the amount of $250K to $3M. Preferably, applicants will have prototypes and/or, at minimum, some proof of concept evidence and development. The startup must have a diverse founding team, management team, and or board of directors. To qualify, the company must be founded by an African-American or Hispanic individual(s). Please see exact eligibility requitements below: 

• The business must have a founder, co-founder, and/or CEO who identifies as African American or Hispanic.
• An African American or Hispanic person(s) must have at least 50% of the company’s founder’s equity; OR 50% of the company's senior management team (c-suite executives) must be African American or Hispanic.
• The Business must not have raised more than $3M in grants, VC, angel investments, or outside funding with no more than $1M in dilutive capital.