HITLAB selects five finalists for HITLAB World Cup

HITLAB® has selected five finalists for its HITLAB World Cup^SM, an international competition that promotes original solutions to pressing healthcare challenges. The best and brightest in healthcare innovation, the finalists, will present their ideas at the HITLAB Innovators Summit^SM on December 4, 2015, at Columbia University's Alfred Lerner Hall.

Hoping to improve healthcare access and delivery, 192 teams began applications in this global, multi-stage contest, representing 14 countries: Cameroon, Canada, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Japan, Malaysia, Nigeria, South Africa, Sweden, Uganda, United States, and Zimbabwe. After submitting technologies and business plans, 67 teams advanced.

A panel scored entries in four areas: potential impact on health, degree of innovation, business sustainability, and market feasibility. Entries include solutions such as wearable monitoring devices, genetic therapy for transplant rejection, patient care algorithms, hospital management software, gamified mobile apps, mobile diagnostic units, biotherapeutics, technological advancements for clinical trials, and models for social ventures that, for example, bring water to rural communities.

"We were impressed by the entries in 2014, and this year's contenders raise the bar even higher. There are promising technologies on the horizon," said Nishita Rai, PhD, HITLAB's Executive Director. "Our finalists will present their innovations to a community of renowned experts and industry leaders at the HITLAB Innovators Summit, which will undoubtedly foster new collaborations and developments."

2015 HITLAB World Cup Finalists

Ceeable (Somerville, MA)
http://www.ceeable.com
The Ceeable Visual Field Analyzer (CVFA) is a visual field test that can detect, classify, and monitor degenerative eye disease using only a tablet.

Homeward Healthcare (Toledo, OH)
http://www.homewardhc.com
Homeward Healthcare creates software for patients, hospitals, and payors, including an interactive, multimedia program patients can control from their bedsides on touchscreen tablets.

Noninvasix (Galveston, TX)
http://www.noninvasix.com
Noninvasix uses optoacoustic technology to safely, accurately, and noninvasively monitor a baby's brain oxygenation levels during labor and delivery.

Ristcall (Pittsburgh, PA)
http://www.ristcall.com
RistCall replaces traditional call bell systems with smart wireless, wearable devices for patients and nurses to communicate and deliver care more effectively.

Rubitection (Pittsburgh, PA)
http://www.rubitection.com
Rubitection is developing a technology to modernize early bedsore detection and management.

HITLAB will fly a representative of each team to New York City to present their innovations at the HITLAB Innovators Summit and compete for the $10,000 Grand Prize. Additional prizes include a $5,000 second-place prize and a $3,000 third-place prize. Since 2013, past winners of the HITLAB World Cup, including AdhereTech, Medisafe, and NVS Technologies, have gone on to raise more than $50 million in investment capital. HITLAB will also announce HITLAB World Cup Honorable Mentions prior to the Summit.