HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. — Northern Kentucky University’s Institute for Health Innovation (IHI) invites aspiring entrepreneurs to change the landscape of population health through the inaugural Health/Healthcare Pitch Competition.
The competition is an initiative supported by the Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration’s RISE grant. NKU received one of 40 grants through the 2018 i6 Challenge, a leading national initiative designed to support the creation of centers of innovation and entrepreneurship. This was the first time funds from the i6 Challenge have been awarded in Kentucky.
The IHI is looking for ideas or concepts related to process and policy, population health, device and treatment or other areas of health care. Selected finalists will pitch their ideas in August for a chance to win cash prizes ranging from $1,000 to $4,000. The winning teams will also receive coaching and individualized support through NKU’s Small Business Development Center.
“The IHI was created to develop the next leaders of health innovation and address general population health issues–both regionally and nationally,” said Dr. Valerie Hardcastle, St. Elizabeth Healthcare executive director of the Institute for Health Innovation. “With the RISE grant and our support from collaborative leaders, contestants can accelerate their ideas into a successful business.”
NKU has hosted similar competitions in the past, including The Lieutenant Governor’s Entrepreneurship Challenge and various student business plan competitions, but this is the university’s first health innovation pitch contest.
“This pitch contest goes hand in hand with the opportunity recognition principle that we teach in The INKUBATOR,” said Zac Strobl, interim co-director of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. “Opportunities like these are rare. This type of event offers exposure and connections that are incredibly beneficial to entrepreneurs. The prize money will ideally be used to kick-start a new, innovative startup in the health innovation space.”
- What: Health/Healthcare Pitch Application Deadline
- When: July 25, 2019
- Where: NKU’s Health Innovation Center
The competition is sponsored by the RISE grant, NKU and the Maysfield Foundation. Collaborators include NKU’s Institute for Health Innovation, Small Business Development Center and the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
In support of early-stage health care innovation efforts, IHI’s competition is open to anyone in the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky region. Register your idea here by July 25 for eligibility. For more information about the competition, visit their website.
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