MassChallenge, the most startup-friendly accelerator on the planet, tonight awarded shares of $200,000 in zero-equity prizes to three digital health startups from the inaugural PULSE @MassChallenge cohort. More than 600 of the region's engaged digital health community gathered at the Wilbur Theater to celebrate the entrepreneurs, premier a behind-the-scenes documentary of the startups' journey, and hear from leading healthcare organizations and policymakers, including Governor Charlie Baker, who keynoted the event.

PULSE @MassChallenge was launched as a strategic component of the Mass Digital Health initiative, a comprehensive public-private partnership designed to accelerate the competitiveness of the Commonwealth’s digital healthcare industry.

“The Digital Health Initiative and our investments in these lab spaces will ensure Massachusetts can continue to be a leader in advancing technological innovation, economic growth for our residents, and better health care opportunities for patients around the globe,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “We look forward to continuing our work with the Digital Health Council and the advancements that will come from their collaboration with the growing number of digital health firms in Massachusetts.”

At zero cost and for zero equity, the MassChallenge digital health program provides promising startups with access to resources, mentorship, curriculum, and more than 8,000 sq. feet of office space located in the heart of the Fenway neighborhood thanks to Samuels and Associates. Through a rigorous matchmaking process, PULSE @MassChallenge startups have spent the past six months working closely with healthcare Champions, including corporates, payors, institutions, and more, to successfully address some of the biggest issues patients face.

"I'm continuously blown away by the level of enthusiasm that exists in the digital health community and the commitment we all share in ensuring startups succeed and patients' lives are transformed," said Nick Dougherty, Program Director, PULSE @MassChallenge. "Tonight's PULSE Finale demonstrates how entrepreneurs are driving the future of healthcare through close collaboration with established players. I'm proud to announce our first-ever winners and excited to see the cohort's continued success."

In addition to supporting the inaugural cohort, PULSE @MassChallenge also activated the local digital health ecosystem through monthly PULSECHECK events, which brought together hundreds of community members to discuss the most-pressing issues in healthcare.

"There is no better place for entrepreneurs to launch a digital health venture than in Massachusetts, where the world's top biotech’s, research centers, universities, venture capital and startups are right next to each other," said Dr. Jeffrey Leiden, M.D., Ph.D., Chairman, President and CEO of Vertex, who also leads the Mass Digital Health initiative on behalf of MACP. "Tonight's winners clearly prove the impact of an ecosystem coming together to support its newest members and the tremendous innovations that can emerge from that community to improve human health.”

Top startups were selected based on their ability to demonstrate impact and meet milestones previously agreed on with Champions. This year's first-ever winners include:

• $100,000 – SyncThink
  EYE-SYNC® by SyncThink is the first tool to objectively screen for ocular-motor synchronization, a key impairment in concussion.
• $60,000 – Twiage
  An advanced cloud-based platform that uses best-in-class security technology to put telemedicine at the fingertips of emergency first responders and physicians to accelerate live-saving patient care.
• $40,000 – Rendever
  Creates a research-driven virtual reality platform for elderly care to improve the quality of life of older adults.

In addition to the program winners, the following startups were also awarded through generous support from PULSE @MassChallenge partners:

• The Sunovion Startup’s Choice Award – 3Derm
  A teledermatology triage system that allows any user to take clinical-quality 2D & 3D images of concerning skin lesions and upload them for remote review by dermatologists.
• The MACP People’s Choice Award – ACT.md
  Helps clinicians, patients, families, and communities address complex health and social needs all in one cloud-based platform.

About MassChallenge:
MassChallenge is the most startup-friendly accelerator on the planet. No equity and not-for-profit, we are obsessed with helping entrepreneurs across any industry. We also reward the highest-impact startups through a competition to win a portion of several million dollars in equity-free cash awards. Through our global network of accelerators in Boston, the UK, Israel, Switzerland, and Mexico, and unrivaled access to our corporate partners, we can have a massive impact - driving growth and creating value the world over. To date, 1,211 MassChallenge alumni have raised over $2 billion in funding, generated more than $900 million in revenue, and created more than 65,000 direct and indirect jobs. For more information, please visit masschallenge.org.

Top PULSE @MassChallenge Partners:

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the City of Boston, the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership, Suffolk Construction, Samuels & Associates, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, the Massachusetts eHealth Institute at MassTech, AARP, Shire, Bose, Cerner, Humana, Liberty Mutual, Servier, Sunovion Pharmaceuticals, Analog Devices, BD, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Philips Healthcare, Microsoft, Ropes & Gray LLP, Beth Israel Deaconess, Boston Children’s Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Dell EMC, Franciscan Children’s, Massachusetts General Hospital, Pathfinder International, Planetree, and TechSpring of Baystate Health.