HITLAB Breakthrough Alliance Seeks Digital Solutions in Light of the Global COVID-19 Pandemic

The HITLAB Breakthrough Alliance is holding a Spring 2020 ‘Call for Applications’ to identify promising digital health solutions in of light of the global COVID-19 pandemic. The global consortium seeks to identify smartphone-based solutions designed to support the diagnosis and/or treatment of COVID-19, and also broad/long-term digital solutions to address gaps in healthcare brought to light by COVID-19. 

For over twenty years, HITLAB has been a pioneer in the advancement of digital health research, strategy and education. In 2016, the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) partnered with HITLAB to launch the Digital Health Breakthrough Network (DHBN) as part of its broader efforts to facilitate growth in New York City’s healthcare and life sciences sectors. HITLAB now operates this program independently and continues to provide prototype testing services to the digital health ecosystem.

Re-launched earlier this year, the HITLAB Breakthrough Alliance is a global consortium of member organizations with a shared mission to improve health outcomes and care delivery through verified emerging technologies. It seeks to accelerate a greater number of digital health innovations through the generation of exclusive, evidence-based research and insights.

Concerning the decision to focus particularly on COVID-19 related solutions, HITLAB Breakthrough Alliance Director Katrina F. Mateo explained, “this is absolutely a challenging time for everyone and this pandemic has especially highlighted critical gaps in healthcare that can potentially be filled by digital health solutions. Over these past few months, it has been inspiring to witness a historical acceleration of digital health innovation and integration in response to this crisis, and now more than ever, it is important we validate these technologies to ensure that they truly help those who need them most.”

Innovator applications will be accepted through May 31st and up to three solutions will be selected in June to be evaluated in rapid-cycle studies with end-users, providing key validation data and actionable insights on design, feasibility, and market potential. There is zero cost to apply, zero cost to participate, and zero equity by HITLAB.

The HITLAB Breakthrough Alliance recognizes the board members ensuring that this vital research is completed in a timely and effective manner. The HITLAB Breakthrough Alliance is made possible by partners such as the New York City Economic Development Corporation, Merck Global Health Innovation Fund, The BDO Center for Healthcare Excellence & Innovation and Joan and Irwin Jacobs Technion-Cornell Institute.

If interested in becoming a HITLAB Breakthrough Alliance member, please contact HITLAB for more information.

HITLAB Breakthrough Alliance.  

Making a difference in healthcare together, by accelerating evidence-based digital solutions.

About HITLAB Breakthrough Alliance

HITLAB Breakthrough Alliance is an accelerator that helps early-stage startups conduct rapid pilot studies to test their products and move closer to market. Selected startups have their technologies tested in pilot studies with clinical partners and patients, gathering the data needed to accelerate their concepts. To source startups, Breakthrough holds open innovation competitions and networking events that bring together the digital health and investment ecosystem.

Breakthrough is membership-based and board members represent the best organizations in healthcare.