Medtech design competition launched at Health Expo

MedCity and Design Council launch Independent Living medtech competition at the Health and Care Innovation Expo in Manchester 2015

The MedTechSouthEast competition asks entrants to develop effective, usable and commercially successful health technologies that can support older people or help those with debilitating medical conditions lead more independent lives.

The only qualifying rules are that the product must be non-invasive and user-centred, and the individual or team must be based in the greater south-east region.

Ten finalists will be automatically entered into the AXA PPP Health Tech & You Awards 2016, an initiative that aims to recognise, celebrate and showcase the best in personal health technology innovations.

Dr Eliot Forster, MedCity’s executive chair, said: “The development of new, affordable technologies is opening up significant opportunities for how we manage and monitor our health.

“Good design is fundamental in creating a product that people want to use, and is especially important when it comes to independent living. It demands that companies look at challenges from a user’s point of view and come up with imaginative, practical and above all user-friendly solutions.”

Online entry for proposals is now open and closes on Friday 23 October, following which entries will be processed and judged by a team of design and medtech industry experts.

Fifteen selected finalists will then present their technologies at a pitching event to industry leaders, investors and potential commercial partners.

The winning ten individuals or teams at this event will then develop their product at an intensive two-day workshop followed by a ten-week hands-on accelerator coaching programme.