FAQ Category: MedTech Actuator Accelerator

Absolutely! If you have any questions or need further clarification, feel free to reach out to our Program Lead, Lizzie, at lizzie@medtechactuator.com. You can also book a meeting with her directly via Calendly.

You’ll hear from us shortly after applications close. If you’re selected for the next stage, you’ll be invited to pitch in front of our Innovation Assessment Board (IAB) within one day of the application deadline – so please keep an eye on your inbox! This involves a 5-minute pitch and answering questions from our panel of industry experts.

After the IAB interviews, we’ll complete our due diligence process. Within three weeks of the application deadline, we’ll extend offers to successful applicants to join the MedTech Actuator Accelerator.

The program accelerates your commercial strategy, team capability and tech development over two 3-month phases while providing access to a network of founders, service providers and industry experts. 

In Phase 1, you’ll participate in monthly Intensive Sprints – 3 days with your cohort learning specialised content from industry experts. You’ll master business fundamentals, market validation, and go-to-market strategy. In the time between Sprints, you’ll work independently to implement what you’ve learned, progress your technology and prepare your Data Room with the help of our resources and support. At the end of Phase 1 we engage industry experts to review your Data Room and prepare a thorough report on your progress and areas for improvement.

In Phase 2, we meet monthly for three Strategy Days – deep dives into capital raising strategy, leadership and negotiation. These are accompanied by Accountability Standups with the cohort, to share your wins, woes and wishes. In the alternating fortnights, you’ll have an individual progress meeting with the Program Lead to share updates on your development plan. You also gain access to 6 hours of matched mentoring with industry experts, tailored to the specific needs of your team. 

Phase 2 culminates in our Demo Day where you’ll have the opportunity to pitch in front of the ecosystem and investors. At the end of the Accelerator, founders walk away with a clear roadmap and understanding of commercialisation, and will be ready to launch, or have launched, a fundraising round.

Beyond the core program, we maintain ongoing support to ensure your continued growth and success in the market.

No two days in the Accelerator are the same, but here is a brief overview of what to expect:

Sprint Days: Kick off the day with coffee and connecting with your cohort, followed by interactive workshops led by industry experts on topics like IP strategy, team building, product development, and startup financials. Enjoy a networking lunch and hear from founders of successful startups like Nutromics, VitalTrace, and Navi Medical. Wrap up the day with alumni drinks, pitch practice, or a fireside chat.

Between Sprints: Focus on towards milestones, refining strategies with your team, advancing your technology, and preparing key investor documents for your upcoming Data Room Review. Join your cohort for an Accountability Standup between Sprints to share your wins, woes and wishes.

Intensive by Design: A fast-paced program to build momentum and drive you toward your next value inflection point.

We’ve curated a top-tier group of experts to help guide you through the challenges of scaling your startup. These include Entrepreneurs-in-residence, Clinicians-in-residence and Experts-in-residence – each bringing valuable, hands-on experience to address specific needs. You can explore the mentor pool here.

Your Program Lead will match you with a mentor in Phase 2 of the program, based on your specific challenges and goals. You’ll have the flexibility to meet 1:1 with one or more mentors, and we recommend coming prepared to make the most of each session.

A Data Room Review is a thorough evaluation of all the documentation and materials investors will assess during due diligence. This process ensures you’re fully prepared for investor scrutiny, providing a comprehensive review of both your company’s operations and future potential.

We examine:

• Company documentation
• Investor pitch deck and executive summary
• Market validation evidence
• Clinical validation and regulatory strategy
• Product development roadmaps and technical documentation
• Intellectual property strategy and protection
• Company financials and capital raising plans
• Risk analysis and mitigation plans

Each document is reviewed by relevant experts within our network, including legal partners, IP specialists, and industry veterans. We’ll help identify any gaps, refine your story, and ensure your data room presents a compelling, investor-ready narrative.

At least one team member must attend each day of the Melbourne-based Sprints in person, and ideally, a core team member should lead participation. No more than two team members can participate in the program.

While we encourage all teams to have one full-time team member working on the startup, we understand that this is not feasible for all teams. Attendance is flexible based on roles and responsibilities but should be organized to ensure your team can fully engage with the program content and activities.

Phase 1 of the Accelerator program is delivered in person at our Melbourne office, located at 550 Bourke Street. We encourage teams to be based in Victoria to fully participate in the in-person Sprints.

Some shorter sessions, such as Accountability Standups and additional pitch practices, will be held online. This approach allows some flexibility, but please note that in-person attendance is essential for Sprints.

Phase 2 is delivered online, except for the in-person Demo Day in Melbourne.

Our program is designed to get you investor-ready, equipping you with the essential tools, resources, and knowledge needed to navigate investor expectations and successfully manage a fundraising round.

We integrate our investor community throughout the program, offering valuable opportunities for connection. You’ll also have the chance to pitch to investors at our Demo Day, when you graduate from the program. 

Additionally, we keep investors updated on the progress of our portfolio companies, ensuring they’re aware of your growth, achievements and open rounds.

Our program is targeted at Australian MedTech, HealthTech, and BioTech startups, generally at a TRL 3 and above. Our specialty is healthcare startups with robust IP and a regulated path to market, however if your healthcare product has the potential to impact human lives then we’d love to see an application from you.

Slick apps and user interfaces are great, but what gets us excited are radical new technologies like diagnostics, implants, instrumentation, robotics, personal preventative medicine, precision medicine, telemedicine, consumer health, AI and VR that will create a step-change in our healthcare systems and economies.