September 12, 2024, CHICAGO, IL — MATTER, the premier healthcare incubator and innovation hub, and the Healthcare Education, Research, and Innovation Foundation (HERIF), dedicated to advancing person-centered care, are pleased to announce that Monark Health is the winner of the 2024 Future HealthTech Leaders Innovation Challenge. Monark Health is a digital behavioral health treatment program for children and adolescents with medical conditions and health concerns with a mission to equitably expand the reach of trained pediatric psychology specialists and evidence-based interventions.

In hopes of empowering the next generation of healthtech innovators, HERIF and MATTER announced a joint initiative to source healthcare solutions developed by undergraduate students, graduate students and early career professionals to improve healthcare and health inequities in April 2024.

Earlier this year, five finalists were selected to participate in an eight-week accelerator, where they received expert mentorship and exclusive resources to enhance their value propositions and refine their pitches. Participants presented their solutions at a final showcase on September 9, 2024, to compete for a $10,000 cash award.

“Monark Health’s solution exemplifies the creativity and commitment to equity needed to drive meaningful change in healthcare,” Dan Roman, Executive Director of HERIF, said. “Their innovative approach highlights how forward-thinking solutions can help close the gaps in our healthcare system and bring us closer to achieving true health equity.”

Winners & Finalists

Winner of the Inaugural Future HealthTech Leaders Innovation Challenge and recipient of the $10,000 Grand Prize

Monark Health — Woodstock, Connecticut:
Monark Health is a digital behavioral health treatment program for children and adolescents with medical conditions and health concerns. Monark provides live video therapy enhanced by personalized electronic tools and integrated coordination with the medical team to improve health symptoms. Their mission is to equitably expand the reach of trained pediatric psychology specialists and evidence-based interventions.

Other Finalists

Emboa Medical, Inc. — West Lafayette, Indiana:
Emboa Medical is revolutionizing stroke care with their novel catheter technology, designed to dramatically improve treatment outcomes by increasing the efficiency of removing blood clots that cause stroke. This time-sensitive condition requires the rapid removal of these obstructive blood clots for better patient outcomes. Inspired by nature, their unique catheter tip design uses proprietary microstructures to safely enhance clot removal and increase treatment success rates.

inclusive+ — Chicago, Illinois:
inclusive+ improves health outcomes and access to care for LGBTQ+ patients. They provide organizations with personalized provider training to promote culturally and medically competent LGBTQ+ care. Trained clinicians can be featured in their directory, making it easier for the LGBTQ+ community to find and receive timely care.

Plateful — Deer Park, Illinois:
Plateful helps create good habits, reduce pickiness and preventative lifestyle diseases by gamifying nutrition education. Plateful reaches children earlier, right when habits are forming. Plateful provides nutrition literacy at the youngest of ages and fostering food as medicine.

PragmaClin Research Inc. — Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada:
PragmaClin Research Inc. is a pioneering health tech company dedicated to transforming the management and assessment of Parkinson’s Disease through its innovative PRIMS (Parkinson’s Remote Interactive Management System) technology. Utilizing advanced machine learning and 3D depth cameras, PRIMS provides accurate, objective and efficient symptom assessment, empowering patients and clinicians alike.

About MATTER
At MATTER, we believe collaboration is the best way to improve healthcare. The MATTER collaborative includes more than 1,000 current and alumni startups from around the world, working together with dozens of hospitals and health systems, universities and industry-leading companies to build the future of healthcare. Together we are accelerating innovation, advancing care and improving lives. For more information, visit matter.health and follow @MATTERhealth.

About Healthcare Education, Research, and Innovation Foundation (HERIF)
The Healthcare Education, Research, and Innovation Foundation develops and supports high-impact programs that seek to transform person-centered care for individuals, families, and communities. We provide resources, support, and partnerships that enable healthcare and social professionals to enhance their skills, knowledge, and expertise while fostering innovation and research that drives discoveries and improves health outcomes.