Congratulations to the six UW Bioengineering-related teams competing in the 2024 Hollomon Health Innovation Challenge (HIC) February 29. The Bioengineering students are part of 22 regional finalist teams facing off in the competition. Five of the six teams are part of the Master’s of Applied Bioengineering (MAB) program. Two alternative teams are also comprised of UW Bioengineering students.

Hosted by the UW Foster School’s Buerk Center for Entrepreneurship, the teams are competing for more than $40,000 in prizes this year.

The competition takes place each February or March and is open to both undergraduate and graduate students to encourage innovative solutions to major health problems faced around the world. The student teams represent five institutions in the Cascadia Corridor – Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and British Columbia, as well as Alaska – and dozens of departments, majors and programs.

A record breaking 52 applicants submitted proposals and were screened by 100+ entrepreneurs, investors and health professionals from the region.

The awards include a $15,000 Grand Prize sponsored by WRF Capital, $10,000 Second Place Prize sponsored by the Herbert B. Jones Foundation and a $5,000 Third Place Prize sponsored by Acclara. There are also four Best Idea Prizes that award $2,500 each.

To learn more about the prizes and all the finalist teams, read the Buerk Center blog.

Good luck to the six UW BioE-related finalist teams!

ACT-NIRS
ACT-NIRS is developing a probe that detects brain tissue oxygenation and helps prevent severe neurological issues in critically ill pre-term infants.

EagleEyeXR
EagleEyeXR is developing a technological solution that addresses the critical challenges faced by Wilderness Search and Rescue (WiSAR) operations by enhancing the capabilities of rescuers to navigate and execute missions in challenging terrains.

EcoFlo
EcoFlo is developing a filtration device that captures volatile gases released by anesthesia machines in hospitals and surgery centers.

piezopulse
Piezo-Pulse is developing an “energy harvesting system” that can recharge an implanted leadless pacemaker to increase device longevity and decrease the need for replacement or removal.

PT.AR
PT-AR provides augmented and virtual reality physical therapy assistance to patients and helps ensure high engagement during at home-therapy sessions thus reducing in-person visits.

SoundCheck
SoundCheck is developing a low-cost and accessible tool to assess the functionality of diagnostic ultrasound probes, improving health outcomes worldwide.

Alternate Teams for Final Round

Sakura MedTech
Sakura MedTech offers a patient-centric imaging device for cervical cancer screening to improve the patient experience and gynecological efficiency.

NeuroRad AI
NeuroRad AI is developing an AI solution for transforming MRI data into a rapid, cost-effective, and accessible way to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease.