A medtech accelerator has been launched in Bengaluru as result of a partnership between UCLA Berkeley and the startup incubator and makerspace IKP Eden. The accelerator programme will be open to 15 Seed-funded startups per batch. Participants will be offered assistance in scaling their products and technologies as well as raising Series A funding.

Manav Subodh, a senior fellow at the University of California, Berkeley is heading the newly-launched medtech accelerator. The startups have been narrowed down across a wide range of applications a wearable device for monitoring high risk pregnancy to a chip medical device for early detection of cancer.

Uptill now, the accelerator by UCLA and IKP Eden has received nearly 250 applicants, out of which around 11 startups have been shortlisted. The programme’s objective is to identify emerging startups that are working to alleviate medical problems and challenges faced by people of rural India.

The main objective is to support and mentor seed-stage startups that have already developed a product and are currently in the product testing phase. Through the programme, these startups will be able to market their products and services at the right price as well as partner with hospitals and clinics.

The accelerator aims to guide these startups towards a profitable business model. As part of the programme, top four to five startups will be offered the chance to visit UCLA’s campus for meetings and networking opportunities with Silicon Valley investors.