RECAP: RI Startup Week - Newport Investor Summit + More
Rhode Island Startup Week 2024: A Recap of Innovation, Networking, and Next-Gen HealthTech
Rhode Island Startup Week 2024 brought together visionaries, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders for a week of engaging events, cutting-edge innovations, and vibrant discussions. From the exciting Brown Digital Health Pitch Competition to the highly anticipated Innovation@Brown Showcase and culminating in the prestigious Newport Investor Summit, this year's events provided an incredible platform for Rhode Island’s brightest startups to shine.
Highlights of the Week
Brown Digital Health Pitch Competition
The week kicked off with the Brown Digital Health Pitch Competition, with Aidan Petrie as a judge, where 5 local health-tech innovators pitched their solutions aimed at transforming the healthcare industry. From AI-powered health monitoring to novel surgical technologies, this competition saw emerging companies push the envelope in digital health. Productivity. Period came in 1st Place, with Buddies Space coming in as runner-up, as well as winner of an additional innovation prize.
Innovation@Brown Showcase at Venture Café Providence
Next up, the Innovation@Brown Showcase held at Venture Café Providence featured breakthrough technologies developed at Brown University and affiliated programs. This showcase celebrated academic ingenuity and entrepreneurship, giving innovators a stage to share their work with investors, researchers, and the broader community.
Newport Investor Summit: The Grand Finale
The week wrapped up in style with the Newport Investor Summit, where investors from around the region gathered to meet promising startups and hear pitches across a variety of sectors, particularly in HealthTech and the Blue Economy. The event highlighted the collaborative spirit of the Rhode Island startup ecosystem, capping off the week with numerous networking opportunities and potential investment deals. The HealthTech Track, framed by NEMIC’s own Aidan Petrie, whose insightful opening remarks set the tone for the day. His address provided context on the state of healthcare innovation, and how emerging companies are uniquely positioned to address key challenges. Read more about his opening remarks here.
Spotlight on Participating Startups
A number of groundbreaking startups had the opportunity to present their innovations across the week’s events. These included:
Arome Science Inc – Innovators in olfactory diagnostics using AI and sensors to detect diseases through smell.
AssurTek Surgical – Developers of precision surgical tools designed to enhance outcomes and patient safety.
BioSens8 – Pioneers in biometric monitoring technology, providing real-time health insights for patients and clinicians.
CranioSense – Advancing non-invasive technologies to assess intracranial pressure, enhancing brain health monitoring.
Docs for Health – Focused on improving access to healthcare through telemedicine platforms and physician networks.
Encapsulate, Inc. – Specializing in microfluidic technology for personalized cancer therapy solutions.
Fascia AI – Revolutionizing musculoskeletal care with AI-driven diagnostics and treatment planning.
Galena Innovations – Delivering innovative medical device solutions to improve patient recovery and mobility.
NATIVE ORTHOPAEDICS – Orthopedic specialists creating implants and devices to aid in bone healing and rehabilitation.
PERCY – A tech company focused on remote patient monitoring and chronic disease management.
Sonogen Medical, Inc. – Developers of non-invasive ultrasound-based treatments for cancer.
Theromics Inc – Innovators in thermal ablation technologies for minimally invasive surgery.
A Week to Remember
Rhode Island Startup Week 2024 proved to be a tremendous success, highlighting the state’s entrepreneurial strength and commitment to fostering the next generation of medical and health-tech innovators. The range of events created the perfect environment for meaningful connections and collaborations that will undoubtedly lead to future successes for participating companies.
With events like the Brown Digital Health Pitch Competition, Innovation@Brown Showcase, and the Newport Investor Summit, Rhode Island continues to establish itself as a critical hub for innovation and investment in health technology. We’re already looking forward to next year’s celebration of innovation!
