ABOUT
Healthcare Delivery Challenge
Create innovative solutions to keep older adults at home by safely moving them between their bed, chair and the bathroom. Addressing this complex issue will require a combination of commercialization strategy and engineering solutions.
THE PROBLEM
Powered sit-to-stand lifts are too inconvenient or expensive for home use:
The inability to safely transfer patients with only one caregiver significantly increases the risk of nursing home placement.
Many patient lift devices exist on the market, but most are too cumbersome for use at home or are unaffordable (and typically not covered by insurance).
Help keep older adults at home by safely moving them between their bed, chair, and the bathroom.
Goals
1. Focus on a specific clinical problem:
Existing patient lift devices are not suitable for use at home (inconvenient or expensive). Being able to transfer safely with help from only one caregiver is a key factor for aging in place.
2. Work together in an agile framework to complete business and product planning deliverables:
Business Strategy: How would you create a viable enterprise? (Market characterization, competitive landscape, clinical rationale, regulatory/reimbursement, go to market plan)
Solution Concept: How would you develop a usable product? (Product requirements, build vs buy, user input, manufacturing considerations, design review, prototyping)
Project Plan: How would you use the funding? (Personnel & resources, milestones timing, budget, additional fundraising efforts)
3. Get the chance to compete in a pitch event in February for $70,000
Select teams will pitch their solutions for a chance to earn funding to further their product research and design
Funds
Funding was donated by a Dartmouth Health physician whose family member was impacted by this issue.
Available funds will cover the early market research and design process.
Additional funding will need to be raised in order to bring a product to market.
Who is this Accelerator for?
You need at least one other person to be on your team and at least one member of the team must be a Dartmouth College or Dartmouth Health faculty/staff member.
If you apply by yourself, we will add you to an existing team.
This program is mostly virtual. At least 2 members from each team must be able to attend the Kickoff Workshop in person on 11/8/25.
Key Dates
Applications Close: 10/31/2025
Kickoff Workshop: 11/8/2025 (in person)
Form a team to solve the problem
Produce a business strategy, solution concept & project plan
Top ideas get a chance to pitch for funding!
Written Proposal Submission: 1/12/2026
Pitch Presentations: 2/11/2026