An innovative technology that allows Type 2 Diabetes risk assessments to be carried out in the comfort of people’s own homes took out the top award in this year’s HealthTech Challenge.
Ceratec Health was last night named the HealthTech Challenge 2023 Overall Winner at a showcase and award evening held at the Christchurch Arts Centre. The 17 ventures that took part in the 10-week Validator showcased their entrepreneurial ideas at the evening, with the top eight taking to the stage to pitch their venture ideas in person.
HealthTech Challenge 2023 Lead Vaughan Broderick says Ceratec Health’s technology, called BeteCheck, aims to transform lives one scan at a time.
“The judging panel was impressed with the unique DIY solution that makes care more accessible and equitable for all. The experience in the team was outstanding and it showed in the solution they have developed, which has the potential to become an additional solution to a massive problem.”
Three other awards were given out at the evening including the:
- Emerging Product Award, which went to Flexfit for their newly designed superior brace that redefines preoperative care for people experiencing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Emerging Technology Award, taken out by Rehabi Games for their pioneering VR-based exercises for Multiple Sclerosis rehabilitation
- Sustainability Award, awarded to Stride Boot, a wearable medical device worn on the lower leg and foot to help people recovering from ankle and foot injuries or surgeries.
CeraTech Health’s Angelica Lawson says "This experience has been really eye-opening and crucial to how I executed my idea into a reality. I'm so grateful to have won the Grand Prize and excited for what's to come."
Martin Cudd ChristchurchNZ GM Innovation and Business Growth says the health sector is one of the city’s priority sectors and is set to experience strong growth both in terms of demand and technological advancement.
“We’re committed to building a pipeline of talent and startups to continue to grow the sector. The HealthTech Challenge 2023 uncovered very impressive innovations and supported participants to test the commercial feasibility, to tweak, to adjust, and to build a stronger, better solution with real potential to benefit the lives of many,” Cudd says.
Teams that took part in the Challenge will continue to be supported on their business growth journey with mentoring, advice and support from the Christchurch innovation ecosystem.
The Challenge was powered by ChristchurchNZ in partnership with the University of Canterbury’s Centre for Entrepreneurship, and supported by Smart Christchurch and The Health Technology Centre.
