Innovate Newport + NEMIC Host 3rd Annual HealthTech Industry Spotlight
The 3rd annual HealthTech Industry Spotlight held at Innovate Newport on March 26th convened a dynamic mix of innovators, investors, and healthcare leaders to showcase the continued momentum of Rhode Island’s life sciences and health technology ecosystems. Produced in partnership with the New England Medical Innovation Center (NEMIC), the event remained a cornerstone of Innovate Newport’s Industry Spotlight Series, which bridges early-stage ventures with key industry stakeholders.
The program opened with remarks from NEMIC’s own Jennifer Hoffmann, executive director. The evening featured a combination of startup presentations and an expert panel, offering attendees a deeper look into regional innovation pipelines. The rapid-fire pitch session allowed innovators to present the audience with their innovations. Featured companies included Proximal (Presented by Micheal Pereia), CleanMargin (Presented by CEO Yana Reshetnyak), and PriMetaz (Presented by CEO Ryan McNaughton). These presentations provided a snapshot of the innovation emerging from the region and set the stage for deeper discussion.
Following the pitches, the evening transitioned into a panel discussion featuring representatives from two of RI’s higher education instuties and two from RI’s diverse HealthTech ecosystem. Panelists included David Altounian from Salve Regina University & RIHub, Pete Rumsey from the URI Research Foundation, Megan McCutcheon from ALCOR Scientific, and Elizabeth Roche from Evinova. The conversation explored key trends shaping Rhode Island’s life sciences sector, with a strong emphasis on workforce development and the importance of connecting industry with students across the state’s higher education institutions. Panelists highlighted the need for earlier engagement, hands-on learning opportunities, and stronger alignment between academic programs and industry needs.
A key focus of the panel discussion was workforce development and the importance of building stronger connections between industry and Rhode Island’s higher education institutions. Speakers emphasized the need to engage students and keep them within the RI HealthTech ecosystem, through alignment with real-world industry needs and academic training opportunities. This included discussion around internships, experiential learning opportunities, and collaborative programs that better prepare students to enter and contribute to the region’s growing life sciences sector.
Beyond the formal programming, the event created meaningful opportunities for connection among entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, and community stakeholders. The 2026 Spotlight not only underscored Rhode Island’s growing influence in health technology, but also strenghtned pathways for emerging companies to buld partnerships, access capital, and accelerate growth, all while cultivating the next generation of talent within the state.
The third consecutive year of the HealthTech Industry Spotlight makes clear that NEMIC and Innovate Newport are not simply hosting events—they are establishing a reliable engine for innovation in Rhode Island. In a space where credibility and continuity matter, three years of sustained programming signals to founders, investors, and institutional partners that this is a platform worth showing up for and investing in. Each year builds on the last, deepening relationships, improving the quality of participating companies, and strengthening trust across sectors. This consistency transforms the series from a one-time gathering into a critical piece of infrastructure—one that actively shapes deal flow, talent pipelines, and the overall momentum of the region’s healthtech ecosystem.
Why it matters to the Rhode Island life science ecosystem:
For Rhode Island’s life science ecosystem, this series plays an outsized role in connecting the dots between innovation, talent, and opportunity. By bringing together startups like Proximal, CleanMargin, and PriMetaz with leaders from academia and industry, it creates a rare, high-density environment where ideas can quickly translate into partnerships, funding, and real-world application. The emphasis on workforce development and student engagement directly addresses one of the state’s biggest challenges: retaining talent and aligning education with industry needs. The relevance is straightforward—without intentional convenings like this, promising companies struggle to scale locally and talent leaves the state; with them, Rhode Island strengthens its ability to grow companies, keep talent, and compete as a serious player in the life sciences sector.
About the Industry Spotlight Series:
In 2024, Innovate Newport launched the Industry Spotlight Series to showcase Rhode Island's diverse industrial landscape. The series fosters stakeholder networking among industry leaders, investors, academics, prospective employees, and community members, encouraging the exchange of ideas and insights. The Industry Spotlight Series continues with upcoming events focusing on BlueTech with Blue Venture Forum (May 7th), Mission Driven Enterprises with SEG (August 20th), and Food & Beverage with Hope & Main (October 15th).
