Are you a healthcare startup in the pediatric or adolescent behavioral health space? If the answer is yes, you should consider applying to MedCity News’ startup pitch contest at the INVEST Digital Health conference at Pegasus Park in Dallas on September 18.
MedCity News chose pediatric and teen behavioral health as the category for this year’s digital health pitch contest because the prevalence and severity of mental health issues among the nation’s young people has been increasing for years. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), approximately 6.5% of U.S. teens formed a suicide plan in 2022. Data from SAMHSA also shows that nearly 20% of teens experienced a major depressive episode last year.
U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has described the worsening mental health symptoms among the American youth as the “defining public health crisis of our time.” Our upcoming pitch contest seeks to shine a spotlight on the startups that are working hard to address this sweeping problem.
Six finalists will be selected for the pitch contest and therefore given the opportunity to present their company to an audience of investors. The contest will be judged LIVE by three venture capitalists, who will ask questions of each presenter before selecting a winner.
There is no fee to apply. Startups that are selected to pitch in the contest will need to register for the event at a discounted rate of $149. Startups that have pitched at a MedCity News INVEST event within the last 12 months are not eligible to apply. The deadline to submit applications is July 10. Investment professionals will review the applications, and the selected startups will be announced by August 2. To submit an application for the contest, click here.
Picture: uzenzen, Getty Images
