The competition
A path to commercialization.
Finding brilliant ideas from residents, medical, nursing, and engineering students — and connecting them with the industry partners and investors needed to succeed.
Timeline
From submission to the pitch stage.
- Now
Submit your idea
Applications open. Complete the eligibility self-check, prepare your package, and submit through the application portal.
Current phase - January 15, 2027
Application deadline
All materials — waiver, pitch deck, and video — are due. Submissions are final.
- January 15 – February 1, 2027
Committee review
The advisory and evaluation committee reviews every application against commercial viability, innovation, and clinical impact.
- February 1, 2027
Finalist notification
Finalists are notified by email and invited to present at the Expo.
- March 2027
Expo & pitch weekend
Finalists pitch live in Houston. Winners are announced and $50,000 is awarded.
What you'll gain
Through the Expo and our broader community.
Mentorship
Guidance from clinicians, entrepreneurs, attorneys, VCs, and industry advisors across medicine, engineering, and business.
Funding pathways
Access to non-dilutive federal grants (SBIR/STTR) and private investors that help bring innovations to market.
Network
A multidisciplinary community of innovators, partners, and mentors built around one shared goal: getting ideas to clinic.
Commercialization support
Resources and connections to navigate regulatory strategy and go-to-market planning.
Eligibility & rules
A relatively short path to market.
Submissions should be for medical devices, digital health solutions, or diagnostics likely to follow the FDA 510(k) clearance pathway.
Eligible
- Medical devices, digital health solutions, and diagnostics likely to follow the FDA 510(k) clearance pathway (Class I & II)
- Primary applicants who are current medical students, residents, or nursing students enrolled at a U.S.-based institution
- Engineering students, when co-led by a clinical (medical, resident, or nursing) student
- Individual applicants or teams
- Multiple submissions from the same applicant, each with its own complete application and fee
Not eligible
- Pharmaceuticals or any innovation requiring the full Premarket Approval (PMA) process
- Class III devices on the PMA pathway
- Applicants not enrolled at a U.S.-based institution
- Engineering-only teams without a clinical student co-lead
Evaluation criteria
How every application is judged.
Commercial viability
Does it have a defined market, a sustainable business model, and a practical path to commercialization?
- Return on investment
- Recurring revenue streams
- Speed to market
Innovation
How novel is the idea compared to existing solutions?
Clinical impact
What is the potential to improve patient care or healthcare efficiency?
Application package
Everything you'll need to submit.
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Waiver & acknowledgement
PDFConfirms your participation is voluntary and that ideas are shared at your discretion. We encourage applicants to protect confidential information before submitting.
Download waiver -
Pitch deck (Sequoia format)
PDF / PPTXA pitch deck following the Sequoia Capital business-plan format — 10 to 12 slides, structured to tell your story fast.
Download template -
2-minute video pitch
MP4, ≤2 minA short video, under two minutes, introducing your team, your innovation, and why you're solving this problem.
Recording guidance — details on the application portal
Waiver & IP notice
All applicants must review and accept our waiver before submission. Submissions are not confidential. While we are not here to take your idea, applicants are encouraged to protect their own intellectual property — for example, by filing a provisional patent or speaking to an attorney — prior to applying. We will also assist you in finding the right legal expert within our network.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
Eligibility & Teams
Who is eligible to apply?
Our 2027 competition is open to all current medical students, residents, and nursing students enrolled at a U.S.-based institution. Engineering students are strongly encouraged to partner with clinical students when applying.
I am a graduate student, post-doc, or engineer. Can I apply?
Yes — we strongly encourage multidisciplinary teams.
Can I apply as an individual, or do I need a team?
You can apply as an individual or as a team. We encourage team submissions, since the committee considers a team's combined skill set — clinical, technical, business — during evaluation.
Can we submit more than one idea?
Yes. Each submission requires its own complete application and fee.
Application & Submission
How do I submit?
Submissions are completed through our application portal. See the Apply page for the full checklist.
When do I have to submit by?
January 15, 2027.
What makes a successful pitch deck?
We require a Sequoia-format pitch deck — a specific 10–12 slide structure built to tell a clear, compelling story fast. We've written the full slide-by-slide breakdown as a guide.
Read the full guide →Is the application fee refundable?
No. The application fee is non-refundable — it covers the administrative cost of our multi-stage review process.
Why do I need to sign the waiver?
The waiver confirms that participation is voluntary and that submissions are not confidential. We are not here to take your idea — our role is to connect you with investors, partners, and resources. We encourage every applicant to protect their own IP (a provisional patent, an attorney, your institution's patent office) before submitting, and we'll help you find the right legal expert within our network.
Can I edit my application after I've submitted it?
No — all submissions are final. Review your materials carefully before submitting. We may open re-submission windows on an as-needed basis; contact support if you need one.
I'm having technical trouble with the application portal. What should I do?
Reach out through the Technical Support option on our Contact page and we'll help as quickly as we can.
Contact technical support →The Innovation
What kind of ideas are you looking for?
Medical devices (Class I & II), digital health solutions, and diagnostics with a clear, relatively short path to market — typically innovations that would follow the FDA's 510(k) clearance pathway.
Are ideas for new drugs or pharmaceuticals eligible?
No. We don't accept submissions for pharmaceuticals or any innovation requiring a full Premarket Approval (PMA) process. Our focus is accelerating ideas with a more direct path to commercialization.
How developed does my idea need to be?
We accept ideas at every stage, from concept to functional prototype. Applications that demonstrate progress — an identified predicate device, a prototype, or early data — are more competitive.
Judging
What are the main criteria you use to judge submissions?
Three: commercial viability, innovation, and clinical impact. See the Evaluation Criteria section above for the full breakdown.
Who will be reviewing my application?
Our advisory and evaluation committee — physicians, engineers, entrepreneurs, and legal advisors. Full bios are on the About page.
Meet the committee →When will I find out if I've been selected as a finalist?
February 1, 2027. All applicants are notified of their status by email.
Funding
How can Med Innovation Expo help me get funding for my idea?
Joining the Expo community gives you access to resources that help turn a concept into a funded reality, whether or not you're competing — federal programs like SBIR and STTR (up to $2 million in non-dilutive grants), and private partners including investors, accelerators, and industry collaborators.
Read our SBIR/STTR primer →Applications close January 15, 2027.
March 2027 in Houston — one weekend, three winners, $50,000.
Start your application