2026 AAPM + MIT Hacking Medicine Innovation Challenge Application

Thank you for applying to the 2026 AAPM + MIT Hacking Medicine Innovation Challenge. We look forward to seeing your pitches! This year's competition will be held at the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City during the PainConnect 2026, the AAPM annual meeting.

The prizes are as follows:

1 Grand Prize
1 Runner-up Prize
Sponsor Award -- selected and presented solely by one major sponsor

This application will close on December 15, 2025. We will review all submissions and reach out to the finalists (teams that we have selected to pitch)the week of January 12, 2026.

Judges will meet with winning teams to provide mentorship and support in furthering their idea. Past judges include:

Sachin Jain, SCAN Health
Tyler Best, ARPA-H
Chris Stock, Health2047
Dan Brounstein, Saluda
Allen Burton, Abbott
Amy Goldstein
Enable Health Founder
Sean Day, Rock Health

Eligibility

Anyone over age 18
Anywhere in the world
We are in interested in all submissions from the idea stage to advanced stage start-ups

Email*

example@example.com

Team Member Name(s) - up to 6*

Preferred Email(s) for Contact*

Startup Name*

Startup Company Logo

Upload 1 supported file: PDF or image. Max 10 MB

Social Media Handle (Instagram, X, Linkedin)

Project Title*

The Problem (limit 150 words)*

Introduce the problem or unmet needs you are offering a solution for (e.g. the job to be done by your product or service). What exact job or process are you seeking to replace with a better solution? Why is it important to solve this particular problem? Since most of the judges are Pain Medicine experts – the more concrete (and succinct) the better.0/150

Your Solution (limit 150 words)*

Describe your solution – your new product, service, or new way of working. How does it work, how is it 10-times better that what we have now? (tip: solutions that are incremental – no matter how much your mother loves the idea - won’t make the cut). Does your solution require a unique new work process or is that already in place?0/150

Target Market (limit 150 words)*

Your market. Who will buy it? Who are the customers? It may be CMS, an insurer, or the hospital, or a wholesaler. It’s usually not a doctor – they will probably use it – but they won’t necessarily buy it. However doctors may create demand so you need to educate and promote to them perhaps. What is the total market size; what segment do you plan to play in? Who else is already there? How much of that segment will you likely get. What is your anticipated price range (and why)? How long will it take to get take-up? (Tip: longer than you can ever imagine).0/150

Project Team - up to 6 members (limit 250 words)*

Please give a brief description of your team composition and skillset (students/faculty/professionals, degrees earned, relevant skills and previous experiences, etc.)0/250

How far along is your idea? Please let us know below how much funding you have raised or if you are in the early stages and have not secured funding. *

Please describe your key milestones for the coming months and how AAPM resources would be beneficial (limit 250 words)*

0/250

Please upload a slide deck describing your project (PDF format only)*

Upload 1 supported file: PDF, audio, document, or presentation. Max 1 GB

We encourage all applicants to submit a video pitch of less than 3 minutes. (Don't worry if you go over 3 minutes). Copy and paste a link to the video*

COMPETITION DISCLAIMER: We represent that any idea, discovery, invention or concept disclosed in the “plan” originated with one or more members of the team and is being used with appropriate permission from its rightful owner. Further, we understand that the American Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM) and MIT make no commitment that the business plan shall be kept secret

PHOTO & VIDEO DISCLAIMER: By attending the AAPM/MIT Innovation Challenge in person event participants grant AAPM / MIT permission to the rights of their image, likeness and recorded voice, without payment or other consideration, for purpose of non-commercial uses only.

PRIZE DISTRIBUTION DISCLAIMERCompetition rules stipulate that in the event that your team is awarded a prized, payment will only be provided to the team members. We strongly encourage teams to have discussion about who is listed on the team page.