‘MedTech’s Got Talent’ Judges Announced

MELBOURNE, Australia - Sept. 24, 2013 - PRLog -- STC (the Small Technologies Cluster) is pleased to announce the judges for the inaugural ‘MedTech's Got Talent’ (www.stcaustralia.org/entrepreneur-challenge). Participants will be rated against criteria such as concept feasibility, market opportunity, business model and “wow” factor.

The expert judging committees includes: David Morris (Cochlear), Gavin Fox-Smith (Johnson & Johnson), David Austin (University of Melbourne), Paul D’Urso (Anatomics), Jordan Green (Melbourne Angels), Jia-Yee Lee (NICTA), Chris Nave (Brandon Capital), Michelle Gallaher (BioMelbourne Network), and Nadia Odorico (Griffith Hack).

“One of the great things about this competition is that it is open to all kinds of ideas and approaches to have an impact in the medical technology sector.” says Buzz Palmer, STC’s CEO. “Pitches can target diagnostics and devices, creative service models to improve medical technology development or healthcare delivery, or digital platforms to deliver health benefits.”

This state-wide program aims to unearth promising young entrepreneurs and support them in refining their pitch, developing a technology roadmap for enabling medical technology innovations. University students, postdocs and recent graduates (<5 years) are invited to submit their medical technology business or product concept pitch. Applications are open now and close on 22 October 2013. The 16 semi-finalists that emerge from the 31 October Rapid Fire Round will pitch to the panel of judges at the 5 December gala Finals pitch challenge.

“There will be five winners that win $20,000 each, plus high-value services from challenge sponsors,” says Laura Faulconer, STC’s Head of Marketing and Business Development. “This is critical early support for fledgling ideas and young entrepreneurs. I am confident that the expertise represented within this independent judging panel will help bring some incredibly promising new business and product concepts to the surface, helping rising stars find their footing in Victoria’s innovation ecosystem.”

‘MedTech’s Got Talent’ is generously supported by the Victorian Government’s Department of State Development, Business and Innovation (http://www.dsdbi.vic.gov.au/), as an initiative of the Enabling Technologies Skills Strategy – Small Technologies. The Service Sponsors of the challenge are providing valuable in kind support to challenge participants: Cochlear, Griffith Hack, Second Nature and BioMelbourne Network. We are also working closely with marketing and media partners UniGateway, BioMelbourne Network, Startup Smart, MTAA, NICTA, ICT for Life Sciences and York Butter Factory.

ABOUT STC:

STC promotes commercialisation and entrepreneurship around next-generation innovations with programs that grow new businesses. Many sectors, like biotechnology, medical devices, life science and information technology, are converging around this rapidly growing core of cutting edge innovation. STC seeds and catalyses new industry opportunities through the development and uptake of small and emerging technologies. STC provides the infrastructure to accelerate commercialization, links with key stakeholders across industry, government and academia necessary to nurture cross-fertilisation of innovation, and is the clear and consistent voice of those developing, integrating, or supporting emerging enabling technologies. For more information on STC programs, please visit www.STCaustralia.org.