FAQ Category: MedTech Actuator Ascend (Singapore)

All sessions scheduled in the MedTech Actuator Ascend program will be delivered both in person and on virtual platforms at dedicated venues in Singapore.

We focus on team, market, technology, and traction.

• Team: We look for passionate, well-rounded founder teams with strong skills in key areas such as technology, clinical, business and commercialisation that have a unique insight into their market and are high-integrity and inspiring leaders with a focus on execution.
• Market: We like markets within the MedTech, HealthTech and BioTech sectors that are either large but ripe for disruption, underserved, or so radically new they don’t yet exist.
• Technology: Our specialty is deep tech with a regulated path to market. We look for technologies and products with the potential to create unfair market advantage and a clear path towards strong, protectable IP.
• Traction: Ideas matter but the execution makes the difference. That is why we like to see evidence of early traction or data points validating your core assumptions such as early proof of concept and safety data, a robust need validation, or expressions of interest from lead users or customers.

Yes, absolutely. Investment through the Demo Day for startups participating in the MedTech Actuator Ascend program is optional and by invitation only. There is no obligation to seek investment for participating in the program.

The MedTech Actuator Ascend program is designed to address the needs of health startups and enable a meaningful connection with Singapore’s integrated healthcare ecosystem. Ascend will allow you to validate clinical assumptions, assess market demand, and scale your venture strategically. This barrier is often higher if the startup is not a spin-off from any of the local healthcare institutions and medical schools. We hope to empower health startups with equal or more opportunities for success through accessing and partnering with MedTech Actuator’s growing network of corporations, healthcare providers and leading investors.

The size of the round differs from startup to startup and will depend on the potential that investors see in your company.

The MedTech Actuator will be actively supporting you on your fundraising journey post-demo day by helping you with capital strategy development, and investor outreach activities, as well as preparing you for the next raise by the end of the 6-month program.

When you are running your own startup, facing rejection is not uncommon. What is important is to persevere on what you believe in. Sometimes, we say no to companies for a variety of reasons, such as requiring the entrepreneur to do more validation before a venture capitalist can invest, or that the market opportunity in question is too small for the venture capital framework. Reach out to us for a suitability assessment and we can advise you on alternative solutions that best fit your current needs.

If your application is shortlisted, our expert panel will begin due diligence on your company, and you’ll hear from us to set up a video interview. The most promising teams will be selected to present to our Investment Advisory Board (IAB). Based on the decision of this board and Medtech Actuator’s internal review, you’ll be offered a place in the MedTech Actuator Ascend Program.

The MedTech Actuator takes 5% equity for participation in the program.

Taking equity aligns the MedTech Actuator’s interests with your interests and incentivises us to push harder and go the extra mile for our founders – well beyond the duration of the program. The 5% participation fee, equivalent to $50k at a $1M valuation, is what makes our 6-month ‘one of a kind’ program possible. With the program fee, we are able to provide over 50 speakers, 1-to-1 individual mentoring for the duration of the program, and lifetime access to our resources and communities without taking money from early-stage startups.

Our program is designed for growing MedTech, HealthTech, and BioTech startups. Our specialty is deep tech with robust IP and a regulated path to market. Slick apps and user interfaces are great, but what gets us excited are radical new technologies like bionics, diagnostics, implants, instrumentation, robotics, personal preventative medicine, telemedicine, AI and VR that will create a step-change in our healthcare systems and economies.

If you are unsure about other specific eligibility or have any other questions about the Ascend program, you can reach out to Cayden, Enterprise Manager via email (cayden@medtechactuator.com) before submitting an application.