SXSW offers unparalleled opportunities in networking, discovery, and inspiration with an emphasis on technological breakthroughs. The field of healthcare is becoming a bigger part of that picture, and SXSW has provided fertile ground for the latest technology and opportunity.
Providing great healthcare is far beyond the procedure or the pill
SXSW has now become one of the top health innovation venues for identifying the next wave of companies that can ignite what is next in HealthTech. It has become a mining ground for companies that are tackling unmet needs in the healthcare continuum of care with innovation and solutions to improve outcomes.
Interest in the healthcare track has expanded in the last few years and now includes HealthSpark, an interactive and educational event that focuses on the increasingly dynamic intersection of healthcare and technology. HealthSpark 2018 will host a variety of talks over a day and a half featuring the latest trends including AI, biosensors, and digital therapeutics from heavy hitters in the industry including Amazon.
Discovering the next big innovation in healthcare technology
MIT Hacking Medicine, experts in examining old problems through a fresh lens, is helping to ignite innovation by hosting the Barracuda Bowl, a two-day product pitch competition for small companies with big ideas. Each team will be given a limited amount of time to pitch their ideas for cash prizes and exposure to potential investors.
Supporting those who want to change the landscape
But finding the new startup is just one aspect of the solution. Sometimes bringing these ideas into the practical world is the biggest hurdle. SXSW offers a bigger platform to help connect those with big ideas with potential investors to help bring their concept into reality.
Organizations such as MATTER, a community of entrepreneurs, innovators and industry leaders working together to harness technology to improve health and healthcare, will be on hand to help judge and foster the various startups. Also in attendance will be TMCx, a program that provides startup companies with shared workspace, a curriculum tailored to the needs of healthcare entrepreneurs, and the guidance of over 120 advisors from the front lines of the industry. Companies have access to the world’s largest medical center, all without membership fees or equity sharing.
Putting the right people in the room
Understanding the need to get the word out and supporting innovative developments in the industry, health-minded agencies AbelsonTaylor, JUICE Pharma, and HCB Health joined forces three years ago to create HealthSpark. To show their support of the community, the agencies have also donated the cash prize for the winners of the Barracuda Bowl.
HealthSpark 2018 will be at the SXSW Interactive Festival March 11 and 12 in Austin, Texas and will take place at MAX’s Wine Dive, 207 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX.
Attendance at SXSW continues to become more relevant and critical to those in the healthcare field. So, if attending SXSW isn’t on your company’s to-do list, it should be.
Reserve your seat at spark2018.health
