On 4 December, the first edition of the acceleration program Medical Solutions Accelerator finished with a pitch moment. In this final event, the jury selected the most promising start-up for a follow-up trajectory.
Start-ups pitch innovative solutions during jury moment
At the end of September, 5 start-ups started the Medical Solutions Accelerator program, an initiative of UAntwerp, UZA and Verhaert. With this initiative they joined forces to stimulate the Antwerp entrepreneurial climate and the medical innovation landscape. During the jury moment on 4 December, each participating team pitched their innovative idea.
A jury of experts in medical product development, venture capitalist QBic and an external venture capital consultant assessed the pitches. It then chose a winner based on the disruptive nature of the product, plan of action and competences within the team. The start-up that best meets these criteria is EmboCraft Medical. They developed a dynamic stent solution and won a follow-up trajectory, provided by the 3 partners of the acceleration program.
We believe that our technology offers a new treatment in which stents adapt after implantation. We first focus on a specific type of blood vessel dilation and rupture in the brain, fusiform brain stem aneurysms, because they are still very challenging to treat and deadly for most patients within 1 to 2 years. In addition, this technology will be valuable for cardiovascular or abdominal aneurysms by modifying the stent.
Mark Vekemans, founder and CEO of EmboCraft Medical
Expert guidance in the medical sector, R&D and technology
The 5 promising start-ups each took part in the Medical Solutions Accelerator to contribute to the medical sector. Over the past months, the start-ups were challenged during 6 intensive days to think about their ideas, stakeholders and the different facets of both product and company development.
The start-ups could explore and define their ideas thanks to the successful combination of guidance by experts in the medical sector, product development and scientific research. This way they gained insight into their current challenges on the one hand, and how they can refine their product in order to tackle these challenges head-on on the other hand.
Due to the successful start of the acceleration program and the commitment of the different start-ups, the partners are already preparing the next edition. Supporting start-ups and sharing passion not only gives us satisfaction, it also ensures that we remain resilient as a society in these challenging times.
Wouter Hendrickx, Business Development Manager – Smart Medical at Verhaert
Visit medical-solutions-accelerator.be