PILOT Health Tech looking for health IT companies, healthcare groups

It might be a bit late to look for a partner for Valentine’s Day, but not for a New York-based matchmaking program in healthcare. The commercialization program to advance innovative digital health tools is accepting applications until February 17 from health IT entrepreneurs and companies who can help each other meet a specific healthcare challenge.

PILOT Health Tech NYC, developed by the New York City Economic Development Corporation and Health 2.0, is expanding its matchmaking program. Groups that host the pilot can include employers, foundations and retailers. Health IT companies can include consumer-focused programs.

The point is to encourage new technology that supports the goals of the Affordable Care Act to reduce healthcare costs and boost consumer wellness and improve clinical care. It’s also to encourage early-stage companies to build and develop relationships with healthcare groups in New York City and to encourage job growth.

Although each of the 10 collaborating groups got $100,000 last year, smaller initiatives with proportionate funding will also be included this year.

Startups that clear the first hurdle will be invited to matchmaking sessions in New York set for March 11-12. Joint applications between entrepreneurs and the company, organization or institution they partner with are due May 26. Demo day is set for June 25.

Among the pairings last year were medication adherence startup Adhere Tech with Weill Cornell Medical Center to assess patient adherence to an HIV drug regimen. Memorial Sloan-Kettering used BioDigital’s interactive 3-D virtual body as a tool to more effectively convey complex health topics to patients to boost patient engagement.

For more details on the program, check out this link.