Since 2017, the foundation for the New England Medical Center has worked with hundreds of startups in the medical and healthcare field. At RI Inno, we've also highlighted many of the companies that have gone through its Medical Tech + Digital Health Accelerator, including IntusCare, Mocingbird and Resusitech.
Recently, the NEMIC Foundation started enrolling for an Accelerator Program, which is intensive and lasts for six months. Accepted participants can receive up to $20,000 to engage in key activities and move their startups closer to being investable, NEMIC Foundation Director of Programs and Business Development Maey Petrie said. In addition, startups can tap NEMIC advisors who can help develop, solidify and test their business models.
Petrie said they've seen an uptick in digital health tech over the past few years.
"We are hoping to see Rhode Island-based startups, entrepreneurs, or individuals working on medical devices or digital health technologies," she said. "We hope to see even more digital health technologies which seem to be becoming even more prominent in recent years."
SMolTAP CEO Robert Cooper said his company participated in the accelerator program, which helped with the company's defensibility strategy in particular. SMolTAP makes an innovative positioning cradle that secures an infant in a consistent position for a spinal tap.
"We are currently patent pending in the U.S. and the product is launching any day now," Cooper said. "The product is being shipped from Taiwan to the U.S. and we already have multiple purchase orders from distributors."
The NEMIC accelerator program is funded through the RI Department of Labor and Training and applicants must be a Rhode Island resident, employed by a RI-based company or organization, or a student of a RI University or Institution.
"This is a no-strings-attached accelerator, with up to $20,000 in funding that can be used towards all sorts of services and work," Petrie said.
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