We are thrilled to announce the official opening of our newest MedTech Actuator office in Osaka, Japan!
The opening ceremony was held at JAMBASE, an innovation facility in Grand Green Osaka, a large redevelopment district on the north side of JR Osaka Station, where the office is located.
To celebrate this new beginning, we held a traditional Kagami-biraki sake-barrel ceremony, welcoming friends and partners from across Japan to join us in this exciting moment.
The night began with welcome notes by MedTech Actuator CEO, Dr Buzz Palmer, and CSO & Co-founder, Prof Vishaal Kishore.
“Healthcare innovation cannot exist without an ecosystem (where new technologies continue to be created). We will strengthen our commitment to Japan.” – Prof. Vishaal Kishore
The night’s proceedings also included further speeches from key partners:
Mr Toru Takahashi – Deputy Mayor of Osaka
Mr Shingo Torii – Chairperson of the Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) (Vice Chairman of Suntory Holdings)
Mr Sho Hideki – Director General, JETRO
This office opening marks a significant milestone in the MedTech Actuator’s journey, as we formally transition into the Japanese market after spending the past three years building significant relationships, programs, and a strong presence here.
We have developed a local team on the ground and are committed to deepening our roots in Japan and continuing to foster innovation in the health and medical sectors.
Over the coming months, we will be announcing new initiatives for global startups to access Japan in 2025. We are excited about the future and are eager to collaborate with the incredible talent Japan has to offer.
The Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) signs MOU with MedTech Actuator (Australia)
To Build a Commercialization Ecosystem as Legacy of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai
Osaka as hub for Japan and East Asia, more intensive support for medical and health startups
On Friday, March 15, the Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) is going to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with MedTech Actuator – headquartered in Melbourne, Australia – to further expand their partnership.
MedTech Actuator is a global accelerator supporting startups in the medical, biotech and health fields. As Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai approaches, medical and health businesses are drawing more attention, and there will be an increasing number of opportunities for startups to gather in Osaka.
Amid such situation, recognizing Osaka as a hub for Japan and East Asia, both sides will work together to build an ecosystem for startups in the medical and health fields, which will then last as legacy of the expo, by using MedTech Actuator’s expertise on startup acceleration and OCCI’s experiences and networks across Japan in promoting medical-engineering collaboration and commercialization.
The partnership will provide programs for commercialization in Osaka, Singapore, Melbourne, etc. to support startups from Japan and other countries.
MedTech Actuator will also prepare for opening of their base in Osaka, where an international pitch competition in medical and health is planned to take place for the first time in 2025.
Summary of the MOU
The OCCI and MedTech Actuator agree to cooperate and complement each other and jointly work to discover startups across the Asia-Pacific region and other regions of the world and support them to accelerate commercialization in global markets by making the most of medical and health support programs that each party has.
Significance of the MOU
Startups in medical and health will receive support to determine their best exit strategy looking across global markets, thereby growing up to be a globally competitive company. Osaka will work as a hub for Japan and East Asia, and a global startup support ecosystem is expected to be built in the future through reinforced networks of ecosystem hubs located the world.
About the MedTech Actuator
A nonprofit organization that globally supports startups in the medical and health fields. Headquartered in Australia, MedTech Actuator has profound expertise and networks to provide startups with the best exit strategy in global markets. They have supported 200+ health startups, raised more than $750 million and placed 20 products/services in the market.
Support Programs for Startups in Japan
ORIGIN
Education and pitch program for early-stage startups including those in idea-stage
GLOBAL NAVIGATOR
Program that helps small and medium-sized companies aiming to expand their business overseas
At the recent MedTech Actuator Showcase, we joined ecosystem leaders to celebrate Asia Pacific’s next wave of early-stage MedTech, HealthTech and BioTech entrepreneurs – with four taking home prestigious awards.
About MedTech Actuator Entrepreneurs
Our changemakers are taking their innovations further and faster with MedTech Actuator programs. Eight teams took to the stage in Melbourne to pitch to the ecosystem and industry leaders, including the largest names in medical technology and the startup ecosystem.
Stepping into the spotlight were entrepreneurs from early-stage innovation programs including MedTech Actuator Origin Australia and Japan and MedTech Actuator’s flagship Accelerator program.
Dr Simone Mitchel, Partner at MinterEllison joined us to announce the MinterEllison MedTech Actuator Origin 2022 Award.
Congratulations to Amin Abbas from EN∀I on taking out this prestigious award after a highly competitive process and pitching at the finals. EN∀I was selected by the audience and judges as the winner out of four early-stage entrepreneurs who made it to the Origin finals.
EN∀I is improving endometriosis imaging by using ultrasound with inbuilt guidance and 3D reconstruction.
“We were really impressed with the pitches tonight and we decided to offer the winner another $10k in in-kind legal services. Congratulations, EN∀I”, – Dr Simone Mitchel, Partner, MinterEllison.
As the MinterEllison MedTech Actuator Origin 2022 Award winner, EN∀I receives an AUD$10K cash prize, over AUD$5K worth of in-kind support from MedTech Actuator, legal services from MinterEllison to the value of AUD$10K, as well as access to a fast-tracked entry into the MedTech Actuator Accelerator 2023.
MinterEllison MedTech Actuator Origin 2022 Award winners: Team EN∀I with Buzz Palmer, CEO MedTech Actuator and Simone Mitchel, Partner Minter Ellison
Bupa MedTech Actuator Accelerator 2022 Award:Anura Medical
Gerald Marion, Chief Customer and Strategy Officer at Bupa Asia Pacific, joined us to present the Bupa MedTech Actuator Accelerator 2022 Award.
“Congratulations to the winner – innovations require a lot of perseverance and it is a long journey to market”, – Gerald Marion, Chief Customer and Strategy Officer, Bupa Asia Pacific.
The MedTech Actuator Accelerator supports founders in taking their innovation from Seed to Series A. Embedded in the MedTech Actuator ecosystem, startups radically advance their technology development, raise pre-seed capital, gain critical business and management skills and build a comprehensive commercialisation strategy.
Congratulations to every founder on their relentless execution towards market success over these past six months – and to Phoebe Lewis from Anura Medical who took home the Bupa MedTech Actuator Accelerator 2022 Award, winning an AUD$10K cash prize.
Anura Medical helps people breathe better through continuous, wearable lung monitoring. Founded by a team of engineers, doctors, and business consultants, Anura aims to create a new gold standard that will enable clinicians to treat breathing decline early and reduce health complications for people with lung disease.
Bupa MedTech Actuator Accelerator 2022 Award winner: Team Anura Medical with Buzz Palmer, CEO MedTech Actuator and Gerald Marion, Chief Customer and Strategy Officer, Bupa Asia Pacific.
Congratulations to MedTech Actuator Accelerator participant, Lorace Zhang from Vysum, for being selected for the MedTech Actuator People’s Choice 2022 Award.
MedTech Actuator Showcase guests from the innovation ecosystem – spanning investor groups and VCs, multinational corporations, hospitals, product development firms, universities, and research institutes – voted for their favourite pitch of the night, with Vysum taking home the prize.
This coveted vote of confidence went to Vysum for enabling easier eye drop delivery and glaucoma management. Vysum takes home an AUD$1K cash prize.
MedTech Actuator People’s Choice Award winner Lorace Zhang with Buzz Palmer, CEO MedTech Actuator and Rebecca Davies AO, MedTech Actuator Board Member
CROW Clinical Emerging Female Founder 2022 Award: April Van Der Kamp
In 2022, MedTech Actuator focused its efforts to help bridge the gaps for female and diverse founders to pursue entrepreneurship. In its first year event, Julie Von Grum, Director at CROW Clinical, joined to present the CROW Clinical Emerging Female Founder 2022 Award.
“Now is the time for women to step up, to have a voice and confidence to go out start new ventures and raise capital”, Julie Von Grum, Director, CROW Clinical.
The CROW Clinical Emerging Female Founder 2022 Award was presented to April Van Der Kamp, CEO, DFU Solutions, acknowledging the impact and progress she has made as a leading female founder and CEO in the space. This award comes with an AUD$10K cash prize to recognise her contribution and efforts as an extraordinary female founder in our community.
April started her journey with MedTech Actuator as a MedTech Actuator Menzies Scholar in 2021 before embarking on her journey in the MedTech Actuator Accelerator 2022 as the CEO of DFU Solutions, a BioTech startup developing safe, effective, convenient bacteriophage-based treatments for infected wound care.
Read more on April’s experience with the MedTech Actuator programs. Congratulations April, you inspire all the women in STEMM!
CROW Clinical Emerging Female Founder 2022 Award winner: April Van Der Kamp with Julie Von Grum, Director, CROW Clinical
It Takes A Village to Raise a MedTech Startup
The MedTech Actuator Showcase and the specialised acceleration model underpinning all of our programs would not be possible without the support of the innovation ecosystem. Read more about the evening and sponsors in the event brochure.
Special guests
Thank you to our distinguished Showcase guests for your support of our MedTech superheroes and the ecosystem:
Mr. Yasuyuki Murahashi – Director-General, JETRO Osaka
Rebecca Davies AO – MedTech Actuator Board Member; Director, Heart Foundation
Michelle Gallaher – MedTech Actuator Board member; CEO – Opyl
and others.
Showcase Sponsors
We would like to acknowledge our Gold and Bronze Sponsors for the MedTech Actuator Showcase – thank you to:
A very special shoutout to all our ecosystem friends and supporters. Without you, we would not be able to surround founders with the support they need to bring innovations to the patients and clinicians who need it most.
MedTech Actuator Accelerator applications are now open for 2023!
Do you have a medical innovation that you’re ready to bring to market? MedTech Actuator’s Accelerator is here to help and expression of interest is open. Over 12 months, the program will equip your team with the skills, network and resources needed to successfully navigate the commercialisation pathway. Become a part of MedTech Actuator’s next Accelerator cohort!
MedTech Actuator Origin and Accelerator are supported by the REDI initiative, powered by MTPConnect, funded by the MRFF and LaunchVic.
MedTech Actuator Origin Japan 2022 is sponsored by JETRO and co-organized with JETRO, OCCI and OBDA.
The annual MedTech Actuator Showcase brings together leaders and representatives from both the Australian and global health innovation ecosystems. The night will connect and celebrate the achievements, impact and progress of MedTech Actuator entrepreneurs and founders.
At the Showcase, MedTech Actuator Origin and Accelerator Cohort 7 startups will pitch to an audience of over 300 individuals to win $30,000+ in prizes across 4 categories. This event will also feature inspiring speeches from industry leaders, an insightful fireside chat with fast-growing MedTech startups, and opportunities to connect with ecosystem stakeholders.
Meet the four MedTech Actuator Accelerator startups pitching
MedTech Actuator’s flagship 12-month Accelerator program annually selects health startups investing up to $200,000 in equity-based funding. The program encourages access to over 200 industry experts from across Australia and the globe, to accelerate their growth towards the market.
At the showcase, hear from four Cohort 7 Accelerator startups innovating in phage therapy, respiratory function, lumbar punctures and eye drop delivery.
Anura Medical – Enabling preventative health care through innovative lung monitoring.
DFU Solutions – Improving outcomes for diabetic foot ulcer patients.
Vause Medical – An accessible improvement to lumbar punctures in newborns
Vysum – Enabling easier eye drop delivery and glaucoma management.
Meet the four MedTech Actuator Origin Finalists
MedTech Actuator Origin is an early-stage innovation program that turbocharges the development of emerging human health technologies and solutions across Australia and Asia-Pacific.
32 Qualifying teams joined MedTech Actuator in Melbourne for an intensive sprint, where, over three days, they learned from industry experts, pressure tested their innovations, networked with a cohort, gained exposure to the startup ecosystem and health innovation, and pitched at the semi-finals. 4 Origin finalists innovating in dental, IVF, dermatitis and endometriosis we selected in the semifinals.
AcuDent –AcuDent is developing a medical device to revolutionise the detection of severe gum disease.
ENVI –ENVI is improving endometriosis imaging by using ultrasound with inbuilt guidance and 3D reconstruction.
Innova IVF – Innova IVF is creating simple, affordable chip technology to measure the energy of embryos in real time for IVF treatments.
Osaka Heat Cool –Osaka Heat Cool helps to tackle the symptoms of Atopic Dermatitis (AD), allergies, and other skin diseases by stopping itchiness using thermal illusion on the skin.
At the Showcase, an exclusive black-tie event, 300+ senior representatives from 30+ key ecosystem organisations including governments, global corporations, universities, product development and startup support companies, and the inspiring health innovators, startup entrepreneurs and future stars of the Asia-Pacific health ecosystem will come together to showcase the MedTech startup ecosystem.
Join us at the MedTech Actuator Showcase and experience the power of the global MedTech ecosystem here in Melbourne. If you are interested in attending or sponsoring the event, please reach out to Matthew Frith, Chief Commercial Officer at MedTech Actuator.
MedTech Actuator Origin and Accelerator are supported by the REDI initiative, powered by MTPConnect, funded by the MRFF and LaunchVic.
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