LaunchPad 2023 - ACRM Annual Conference

LaunchPad

A Rehabilitation Technology Innovation Competition

Developed by the ACRM Technology Networking Group

This year’s competition will be held during the ACRM Annual Conference — the largest interdisciplinary rehabilitation research conference in the world.

ACRM is where cutting-edge research and technology meet clinical practice to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. The conference is attended by thousands of researchers and clinicians who value cutting-edge research and technology.

What is it?

The ACRM Technology Networking Group is pleased to announce LaunchPad — an exciting opportunity to pitch your company or idea to a panel of rehab industry experts and an audience of clinicians, researchers, engineers, and decision-makers to receive market feedback and win prizes.

LaunchPad is an annual competition created to highlight innovative rehabilitation technologies developed by non-profit research and engineering labs and startup companies. The competition is held at ACRM’s annual conference each fall.

2023 Contestants

The Call for Proposals was in process until 15 May 2023, and is now CLOSED. Please consider submitting for ACRM 2024.

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How it Works

STAGE 1 – Spring

LaunchPad is a 6-month, 2-stage competition, beginning with the submission of applications in the spring by competitors. The application deadline is 15 May 2023. Applications should include an Executive Summary that describes the following:

Your innovative rehabilitation technology
Your target user
The problem addressed
Evidence of efficacy and other user feedback
Evidence of adoption, if any

Download the Executive Summary Outline to identify the information needed to submit an application.

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Submit an Application >>

Accepted Competitors receive 20% DISCOUNT off the Registration Rates for the Annual Conference.

Applications will be reviewed by the LaunchPad Task Force of ACRM’s Technology Networking Group and five finalists will be chosen.

STAGE 2 – Fall

Finalists will present their technologies before a panel of interdisciplinary judges, including healthcare administrators, rehabilitation technology researchers and engineers, rehabilitation clinicians, medical doctors, and technology entrepreneurs to win prizes and gain valuable feedback from rehab professionals at the ACRM Annual Conference.

“LaunchPad offers a unique opportunity for startups and R&D labs to receive feedback on their rehabilitation technology solutions directly from experts with deep knowledge of health technology R&D, rehabilitation services and technology acquisition.”

Megan Mitchell

PhD, Chair of the LaunchPad Task Force

Who Should Apply?

Early-stage health technology companies
- (Limited to companies that have less than $500k in funding and have been in business less than 4 years, or if in business longer than 4 years, have less than $200k in revenue)
Rehabilitation research labs/ researchers working on technology-based solutions
Accepted Competitors receive 20% DISCOUNT off the Registration Rates for the Annual Conference

Register Now — Don't miss your chance to see this session in Atlanta!

Audience

The conference is attended by thousands of researchers, physicians and clinicians, engineers, and business and community leaders who value cutting-edge rehabilitation research and technology. Last year, 81% of all attendees identified themselves as purchasing decision-makers & influencers for their departments!

Awards & Prizes

First place: “Best Overall”

The recipient will receive an 8 x 10 inline exhibit booth space at the ACRM 2024 Annual Conference EXPO, including 1 exhibitor registrations to attend Core Conference programming ($4,499 value)
The recipient will be interviewed for an upcoming episode of the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation podcast, RehabCast.

Secondary awards: “Most Innovative” and “Most Impactful”

*All three winners will be featured in a shared inline booth space (8’ x 10’) at the ACRM 2024 Annual Conference EXPO.

Questions or Referrals?

Email Megan Mitchell, PhD or submit them via the form below.