Mayo Clinic Platform’s accelerator program is seeking its next cohort of health tech startups.
The 20-week program is designed to provide early-stage, AI-focused companies with an immersive experience in the industry and. Launched earlier this year, the program has had 11 companies participate in the accelerator so far.
Now, it's looking for its third cohort of companies, which could total up to 15 startups, according to Eric Harnisch, vice president of Partner Programs with Mayo Clinic Platform, an initiative of Rochester-based Mayo Clinic to health care through innovation.
“One of the things that's a huge benefit for these companies is Mayo has such a deep history of medical knowledge and insight,” Harnisch said. “We can really ... help them establish some broader credibility.”
The first cohort launched in March of this year with four companies, which finished the program just before the second cohort of seven companies was announced in August.
The latest iteration featured one company with Minnesota ties: Delfina, a San Francisco-based data platform for pregnancy care, which has an office in Rochester, the program said in the cohort announcement. (Delfina was also chosen for UnitedHealthcare’s 2022 accelerator program.)
Mayo Clinic Platform's program for the third cohort will begin March of 2023. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis; to apply, click here.
Each company receives a $200,000 benefits package, which includes access to Mayo Clinic’s de-identified patient database, AI model validation support, clinical workflow planning help, regulatory guidance and mentorship. Experts in technology with Google and Epic also provide workshops for the startups, the program said. Mayo Clinic Platform also takes an equity stake in the companies.
The program culminates in a Demo Day for the companies to showcase their work to the Mayo Clinic, its affiliates and investors, Harnisch said.
Several of the companies that have participated in the past cohorts are considering relocating or having a larger presence in Minnesota as a result of the program, he said, though he did not disclose which ones.
To see the group of companies who are still completing the program as part of the second cohort, click here.
