Growing MedTech Translation 2019: conference highlights

Over 130 delegates from across the medtech sector joined us on Friday 6 December 2019 to learn more about the current innovation landscape in the Leeds and Sheffield City Regions at Growing MedTech Translation 2019.

The packed agenda included three speakers from actively supported Grow MedTech projects, student pitches from recipients of Translate MedTech Summer Student Project Funding, and medtech pitches from six hopeful project teams who sought to impress a panel of independent innovation specialist ‘dragons’ for the chance to win £10,000 in innovation funding support.

Other key speakers included Prof John Fisher, who highlighted the need for medtech innovators to recognise that successful new innovative medical products that come to market over the next decade will be driven by technology convergence, and by patient and population needs.

Prof John Fisher giving his opening talk at Growing MedTech Translation 2019
Prof John Fisher giving his opening talk at Growing MedTech Translation 2019

Our keynote talk was given by Dr Rosie McEachan, director of Born in Bradford who spoke on the importance of end-user insights in developing impactful solutions to unmet healthcare needs.

Dr Rosie McEachan, director of Born in Bradford, delivering her keynote speech at Growing MedTech Translation 2019
Dr Rosie McEachan, director of Born in Bradford, delivering her keynote speech

Presentations throughout the day were balanced by a long break for lunch and networking.

Delegate networking taking place between presentations at Growing MedTech Translation 2019.
Networking between presentations

During this break, delegates had the opportunity to network with representatives from nine organisations at their exhibition stands and discuss regional opportunities that may be of interest.

Each student who gave a presentation about their Translate MedTech summer project also had the opportunity to present research posters to delegates to facilitate networking.

Dr Will Bolton was awarded a £50 Amazon voucher after delegates voted that he presented the best pitch and poster of the day about his Translate MedTech Summer Student Project on developing circular frame fixators for leg fracture patients in developing countries.  

Networking taking place around the Translate MedTech student project posters
Delegate networking around the Translate MedTech student project posters

Based on their use of Sli.do, a clear highlight of the conference for the entrepreneurially-minded was the Pump Prime Funding Competition pitches.

Prof Reza Saatchi and Prof Heather Elphick presenting their medtech pitch to our panel of 'dragons' during the Pump Prime Funding Competition at Growing MedTech Translation 2019
Prof Reza Saatchi and Prof Heather Elphick presenting their medtech pitch to our panel of ‘dragons’ during the Pump Prime Funding Competition.

The audience submitted more than 80 questions to quiz the six hopeful contestants, with topics ranging from technology specifics, to questions around IP and business scalability.

Following a lengthy discussion between the dragons and an audience vote, Prof Reza Saatchi and Heather Elphick were announced as winners of the Pump Prime Funding Competition, and the £10,000 innovation funding prize.

A picture of Prof Reza Saatchi accepting the £10,000 prize for winning the Grow MedTech Pump Prime Funding Competition at Growing MedTech Translation 2019
Prof Reza Saatchi being awarded his £10,000 prize for winning the Pump Prime Funding Competition

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