MedTech Innovator held its Grand Prize Finals at AdvaMed’s the MedTech Conference, with Armor Medical coming away the winner.
In San Diego, the medtech startup accelerator announced its Execution Award and Best Video Award winners in addition to the Grand Prize for Armor, which received a $350,000 non-dilutive award in the Early-Stage Competition, voted on in real-time by audience members following pitches from five finalists.
“Congratulations to Armor Medical for winning this year’s Grand Prize,” said Paul Grand, founder and CEO of MedTech Innovator. “Armor Medical’s win shows that sophisticated medtech industry leaders recognize the value proposition of this game changing maternal health innovation. Each of our finalists demonstrated the remarkable innovation happening across the medtech ecosystem. We’re proud to provide our platform to help bring these life-changing technologies to patients.”
Luminoah, Rivanna Medical, STENTiT and SutureTech, the other finalists, each received $25,000.
MedTech Innovator selected 64 companies from thousands of applicants for its flagship, four-month, U.S. market-focused accelerator. The class included 45 early-stage companies and 19 mid-stage medical device, diagnostic and digital health companies from around the world.
More about MedTech Innovator Grand Prize winner Armor Medical
Armor Medical develops Maternal aRMOR, a non-invasive monitoring system to detect early hemorrhage. Co-Founder and CEO Kelsey Mayo explained her own personal experience with in her pitch, outlining her mission behind starting Armor.
The company’s wrist-worn sensor provides objective, real-time insights into a patient’s hemorrhage risk. Maternal aRMOR’s patented technology enables equitable, low-cost, early hemorrhage detection and treatment monitoring, even when blood loss is internal. The technology can capture the subtle nuances of peripheral blood flow, independent of skin pigmentation, and the telltale signs of early hemorrhage.
“We are honored to be named the MedTech Innovator Grand Prize winner,” said Mayo. “For me, this moment is especially meaningful as it represents resilience: the ability to absorb pressure, bend, and emerge stronger. That is the story of Armor Medical, and it is also the story of so many mothers and families touched by postpartum hemorrhage, who inspire us and keep us laser-focused on our ‘why.’ This recognition is a testament to the creativity, grit, and unshakable belief of our team, and it also belongs to the MTI community of mentors, sponsors, and peers whose encouragement has propelled us forward. Together, we are working to make birth safer for all mothers, everywhere.”
Other awards given out in San Diego
MedTech Innovator named Wavelet the winner of its Execution Award & Virginia Rybski Memorial Award, presented jointly by MedTech Innovator and AdvaMed Accel. The Execution Award recognizes strong leadership teams with value-adding innovations and a proven ability to execute their plans to improve patient care. The award includes a $25,000 prize and was determined by a live audience vote.
Wavelet develops a noninvasive fetal EEG system to detect fetal distress in real time.
“Wavelet winning the MedTech Innovator Execution Award marks a defining milestone for our company,” said Liz Golden, co-founder and CEO of Wavelet. “The accelerator propelled us into the spotlight, helped us engage with strategic visionaries, and accelerate fundraising. We are deeply grateful to MTI and the mentors who guided us on this journey.”
Additionally, Luminoah, developer of a closed-loop enteral nutrition system with real-time data for chronic disease care, won the Best Video Award and a $10,000 prize.
MedTech Innovator now has applications open for its 2026 cohort. (Read about past winners in 2022 and 2023.)
