ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND, May 20, 2015 – Today, Relevant Health, a newly launched innovative health technology startup accelerator focused on bringing products to market, announced that it is now accepting applications from health tech startups for its fall 2015 class. Additionally, the accelerator launched its website and the portal to its streamlined application process. U.S. and international startups are encouraged to apply.
Relevant Health’s five-month program involves an intensive product-focused curriculum that gives founders of health tech startups the skills to define, develop, position and launch a viable health tech product. The new accelerator will be based out of a brand-new cowork space in the Rockville Innovation Center, centrally located in the heart of the Montgomery County (Maryland) life sciences corridor. Companies admitted to the accelerator will have access to the cowork facility along with other support that includes up to $50,000 in funding, mentorship, development support from a pool of software engineers, and access to the local health tech ecosystem.
“The ecosystem of Central Maryland and Washington, DC is truly the epicenter of the healthcare industry in the U.S.,” said Richard Bendis, BHI President and CEO and Managing Partner of Relevant Health. “We couldn’t have chosen a more ideal part of the country to launch this first-of-its-kind accelerator that is bringing the best of the best forward. No other region is home to the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and over 700 companies focusing on the growing segments of healthcare and technology.”
Entrepreneurs and young companies with emerging ideas that have the potential to positively impact the health of individuals and the healthcare industry are encouraged to apply. Relevant Health is especially looking for candidates that are in the process of building a product, or have a vision and business model for a product, that promises significant positive impacts in the health sector. Product areas of interest include personalized medicine, digital medical devices and diagnostics, health cyber security, health data management and analytics, and other emerging segments. A company does not need to be incorporated yet to enter the program.
“Relevant Health provides an intensive focus on product development and includes rigorous coaching and software development support, which we believe to be a key differentiator in our program,” said Andy Richman, Partner at ProductSavvy and Relevant Health Managing Partner. “Our goal is for participating companies to not only have a polished pitch and business plan by the end of the program, but rather to have developed a ‘minimal viable product’ (MVP), which has been tested by – and in – the hands of potential (or actual) customers.”
Upon acceptance into the program, participants will receive up to a $50,000 stipend to develop, launch and introduce their ideas and products to the market. Relevant Health companies will benefit from ProductSavvy’s Product Management and Product Development Frameworks as well as the ongoing support of BioHealth Innovation, Inc. (BHI), and its vast array of partners.
To apply, interested applicants should visit www.relevanthealth.md to complete the online application. The final deadline for application submissions is July 31, 2015. For more information, please direct inquiries to [email protected] or visit the FAQ section of the website.
About Relevant Health
Relevant Health is a cohort-based health tech startup accelerator. Its five-month program involves an intensive product-focused curriculum that gives founders of health tech startups the skills to develop, position, and launch a viable health tech product. Relevant Health launched to bring the most creative minds in health technology to the market. The new accelerator is based out of a brand-new cowork space in the Rockville Innovation Center and is supported by BHI, ProductSavvy, Montgomery County Economic Development and Rockville Economic Development. Admitted companies will have access to the cowork facility along with other support that includes up to $50,000 in funding, mentorship and access to the local health tech ecosystem. Learn more at www.relevanthealth.md.
About BioHealth Innovation, Inc.
BioHealth Innovation, Inc., is an innovation intermediary focused on commercializing market-relevant bio-health innovations and increasing access to early-stage funding. BHI is known for providing commercial assistance to scientists and founders, educating and infusing Maryland’s life science community with new and young entrepreneurs and connecting young companies to funding and business resources. BHI’s strategic partners come from industry, investment, academia, and government sectors and include, MedImmune, Qiagen, Becton Dickinson, Roche, SR One, New Enterprise Associates, Johns Hopkins University, the University System of Maryland and Montgomery County. Learn more at www.biohealthinnovation.org.
About ProductSavvy Consulting
ProductSavvy Consulting is a product acceleration company that focuses on product management and product development management for startups and fast growing companies. The company helps its customers build the right product for the right market, on time. ProductSavvy bridges the gap between business and technology by leveraging their expertise in product strategy, product marketing, product management and software development management. The ProductSavvy team is comprised of a diverse group of business and technology innovators with deep experience building fast growth, technology focused companies. Learn more at http://productsavvy.com.
