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Pitch Competition

People of color entrepreneurs receive less than 4% of venture capital funding.

MedTech Color is working to change that through the Pitch Competition program.

MedTech Color Is Creating a Pipeline of Fearless Founders to Diversify Medtech


The MedTech Color Pitch Competition searches for the next generation of fearless founders innovating and diversifying Medtech. People of color founders are the fastest-growing demographics of entrepreneurs throughout history. These founders are best equipped to solve some of the world’s largest unmet needs. However, people of color entrepreneurs are met with the greatest barriers to accessing capital.

Pitch Impact

Diverse Founders Exist


MedTech Color has received nearly 400 applications

Our Founders Get Funded


MedTech Color has invested in 30 companies and our winners have been invited into major accelerators including YC Combinator and MedTech Innovator.

$1.1 Million Awarded


Awarded over $1 million in cash and in-kind services to diverse founders

National Recognition


Our winners have been featured in Forbes and BBC

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Helping Founders Since 2021

MedTech Color's Pitch Competition is a foundational start for early-stage medical device and technology companies.

 

The MedTech Color Pitch Competition, which serves both Seed and Series A-ready companies, has provided over $1.1 million in non-dilutive funding and in-kind resources since 2021. The program has attracted over 380 total applicants. 42 of those applicants were accepted to the competition and as of December 2023, eight startups have been funded. The total amount of dollars raised for the eight startups was $25.3M from over 40 investors. In addition, two companies have since been acquired.

2024 Prizes and Awards

1st Place: $75,000

2nd Place: $50,000

3rd Place: $25,000

Community Impact Prize: $5,000

Am I Eligible?

  • We are seeking innovations in medical and/or wearable devices, diagnostics, digital health, infectious diseases, and more!
  • Preferably, applicants will have prototypes or, at minimum, some proof-of-concept evidence and development.
  • The startup must be a U.S.-based business.
  • The business must have a U.S.-based founder, co-founder, and/or CEO who identifies as a person of color.
  • The aforementioned founder must hold at least 50% of the company’s founder’s equity, OR 50% of the company's senior management team (c-suite executives) must identify as people of color.
  • The startup is in its Seed Stage, raising equity rounds in the amount of $250k to $3M. The business must not have raised more than $3M in grants, VC, angel investments, or outside funding with no more than $1M in dilutive capital.

Founder Resources | Accelerator Classes

MTC Pitch Competition Accelerator Welcome with Executive Director


WELCOME | Facilitated by Kwame Ulmer and Katrina Holland, MedTech Color

2024 Masterclasses (6)

Pre-Clinical, Clinical + Reg Strategies


MASTERCLASS | Facilitated by Katherine Osborn, Luis Ramon, Sandra Binns, Johnson & Johnson MedTech

IP and Business Development


MASTERCLASS | Facilitated by Jon Chiodo, Paul Coletti, Johnson & Johnson MedTech

Health Economics Strategy


MASTERCLASS | Facilitated by Brian Vaughn, Johnson & Johnson MedTech

Healthcare Reimbursement Strategy (PEDs)


MASTERCLASS | Facilitated by Ryan Nolan, Children’s National Hospital

Regulatory Strategy for C-Suite Executives


MASTERCLASS | Facilitated by Kwame Ulmer, MedTech Impact Partners

The Art Of Pitching


MASTERCLASS | Facilitated by Ricardo dos Santos, Takida Digital Ventures

Accelerator Program Office Hours

Office Hours


Hosted by MTC Pitch Competition Planning Committee

2024 Workshops (8)

Founder to Founder


WORKSHOP | Facilitated by Javier Evelyn, Alerje

Developing the Art of Messaging and Branding


WORKSHOP | Facilitated by Match Health

Marketing, Branding & PR Strategies + Tactics for Diverse Founders


WORKSHOP | Facilitated by Ivy Arias, BrandLA

Writing Defensively


WORKSHOP | Facilitated by Zuhal Reed, MedMarc

Speak So It’s Heard


WORKSHOP | Facilitated by Liz Cumby, Cumby Consulting

Introduction to McDermott RISE


WORKSHOP | Facilitated by Ash Sivakumar, Jasmine Alves, McDermott Will & Emery

NIH “Open Forum"


WORKSHOP | Facilitated by National Institute of Health

What Strategics Want


WORKSHOP | Facilitated by Gabriella Kaynor, Olympus

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