MassMEDIC Highlight 2023 IGNITE Cohort

The Massachusetts Medical Device Industry Council (MassMEDIC) recently announced its 2023 cohort for the Ignite Program, a training, mentorship, and networking program “designed to attract and nurture the next generation of Boston-area medtech founders and entrepreneurs,” according to the company.

IGNITE was originally launched in 2004 and ran for 10 years. The program was then relaunched in 2019 with support from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center and program sponsors. Since the relaunch, 55 medtech startups from across Massachusetts, the US, and globally, have completed the program. “Successes of alumni to date include a cumulative fundraising total of over $150 [million], FDA clearances, NIH funding, establishing offices, hiring teams, and engaging with the MassMEDIC community,” according to the council.

Made up of eight companies selected after a competitive process, they will now begin three months of hybrid workshops, bootcamps, conferences, networking opportunities, and mentorships from this month until November. Recipients will receive one on one expert mentoring, master classes from medtech experts, personalized pitch support and feedback, access to senior industry leaders, exclusive invite-only gatherings, discounts to medtech events, publicity, and awareness.

The program, according to MassMEDIC, is for early stage medtech founders like those still at the pre-seed or seed round stage — meaning the company has raised two million or less in equity financing, have plans for an FDA regulated medical device, have the ability to be in Boston, MA, during a portion of the hybrid program. Of note, pharmaceutical companies do not align with the program, however, drug delivery companies do.

The cohort includes…