Clinicians: Submit your problem here.
Community: Submit your challenge here.
Want to join IDEA Labs? Apply now.
IDEA LabsTM is a bioengineering design and entrepreneurship incubator founded in 2013 at Washington University in St. Louis. Students, faculty, staff, and entrepreneurs from across St. Louis institutions team up to tackle unmet needs in healthcare delivery and clinical medicine. Past teams have gone from concept to functional prototype within one semester. Read our full description about the organization in our publication in Nature Biotech. The program is now expanding into the IDEA Labs Incubator Network, fostering student-focused biotechnology entreprenurship across the country. Want to join us? Apply now.
Engineers, designers and clinicians are invited to submit their big ideas on how to improve access to medical care in medically underserved communities as part of the Connecting to Care Challenge. The Connecting to Care Challenge is a joint project of the Anthem Inc.’s physician engagement program, the American Resident Project, along with IDEA Labs, Washington University in St. Louis, and Medstro. Applicants may submit clinical practice models or technology innovations and will be judged based on their impact, or potential impact on improving access to medical care. The grand prize winner will receive a special consultation package with IDEA Labs including a one-on-one consultation with a business specialist, engineer, and clinician. The winner will also have a feature role in a video highlighting the idea, pitch-off and consultation experience that will be shared via social media by the American Resident Project, IDEA Labs, Medstro and Anthem. The winning pitch can be a well thought out idea or an early stage company.
Demo Day is the IDEA Labs capstone event where teams present their prototypes and budding businesses publicly for the first time. The event program includes a keynote address on translating innovations in the medical sector, presentations from teams, a poster session, tech demos, food and drink, giveaways, and an awards ceremony. This event is our chance to show off the impressive accomplishments of our teams over the last year and to thank our many participants and supporters.
The University Technology Pathway, a new initiative by IDEA Labs and the Office Technology Management, is looking to create teams around WU research IP with a new class of teams/start-ups starting in January. Teams will be composed of Post-docs, MBA students and PhD students working on the commercialization of any one out of over 100 WU Research Projects currently disclosed to OTM. The teams will go through the IDEA Labs pathway to commercialization and receive support in market research, patenting, LLC formation, and venture funding.
February Newsletter - The winter issue of our quarterly newsletter was published in February. Keep updated on our past achievements, our current activity, and future happenings by subscribing at the link below.
Click here to read itDecember Newsletter - The fall issue of our quarterly newsletter was published in December. Keep updated on our past achievements, our current activity, and future happenings by subscribing at the link below.
Click here to read itNature Biotech Publication - We are excited to announce our recent publication in Nature Biotech - an article detailing the operations and objectives of IDEA Labs.
See it at Nature Biotech Download the PDFCLINICIANS: Click to submit your clinical problem(s).
We accept problem suggestions year 'round. We are currently accepting problem submissions for the 2015-2016 cycle.
STUDENTS: Click to participate
Students interested in participating may still apply to join teams in the current cycle if space allows. Otherwise applications will be considered for our next cycle.
SPONSORS: Click to learn more. Organizations sponsor IDEA Labs on many levels and have the opportunity to aid the St. Louis entrepreneurial community.
Your donation to our non-profit organization goes to support student teams delivering innovative healthcare solutions to address real-world clinical needs.