Medtech Startups Prepare for Investor Engagement with Aspire
Aspire Medtech is a five-week hybrid program that equips early-stage, technology-based startups with the training, guidance, and investor connections they need to cross the critical funding gap often called the “valley of death.” Through a combination of cohort-based learning, one-on-one mentoring, and hands-on activities, startups enhance their commercialization capability, tackle real-world business challenges, and strengthen their investment readiness. Investor-mentors work directly with teams to simulate due diligence conversations and refine deal room materials in real time, helping startups build the confidence and clarity needed to raise their first round of equity funding.
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Read about our 2025 Aspire Medtech cohort!
Why Apply?
Spend one-on-one time with investor-mentors
You will work with high-caliber investor-mentors throughout the program who have experience investing or partnering with startups like yours.
Vet your fundraising strategy
Startups will leave with a clear articulation of their investment needs, including the investment ask and planned milestones for the round. Take part in a mock board meeting to prepare yourself for fundraising and investor conversations.
Learn how to enhance the commercialization capability by engaging investors effectively
Build the skills and confidence to lead thoughtful conversations with investors, navigate tough questions, and strengthen your fundraising narrative.
Due diligence deal room
Spend time creating and refining deal room materials to use during the fundraising process. Invest your time and energy into a work product for a deal room discussion, not a demo day pitch.
Stress-test your startup
Work through real-world disaster scenarios with your team to discover how to best prepare for the unexpected.
Collaborate and network
Connect with fellow founders and leverage the VentureWell investor network after the program ends.
Aspire Medtech 2025 Mentors Include:
Founder and Board Member, RTP Angel Fund
Angel Investor, Beacon Angels; CEO, Digital Health Advisors
Founder and Managing Partner, DreamCatcher Ventures
Partner, Capital Formation
Angel Investor, NuFund Venture Group
Innovation Manager, Entrepreneurs’ Center
Senior Associate for Strategic Investments, WRF Capital
Angel Investor
Executive Director Emeritus, Angel Capital Association
CEO, Linshom Medical
Senior Level Business Development Executive and Global Leader
Managing Director, WRF Capital
Managing Director, Golden Seeds
Founder and Principal Consultant, Ruby Leaf Media
Managing Member and Principal, JL Ryan Consulting LLC
Venture Investor
Advisor and Co-Founder, Aurelius
Aspire Medtech 2025 Entrepreneur-in-Residence
Co-Founder and CEO, Eyedea Medical
Is Your Startup a Good Match?
For each cohort, VentureWell selects 10-15 dedicated science- and engineering-based startups from across the nation that are launching high-impact inventions. This year in partnership with TEDCO, we will select eight teams from Maryland, with the other eight coming from across the United States.
The Aspire program receives a significant number of quality applications, and unfortunately we cannot accept them all. Ideal candidates tend to share the following traits:
- Committed to the program: The CEO of the company must be able to commit to full participation for the entirety of the five-week Aspire program.
- Actively fundraising: Company is preparing for a round of equity investment within 12 months.
- Team identified and startup formed: First-time founders with management team and key roles identified. At least one member is full-time. Incorporated as a C-corp or LLC.
- High-impact invention: Innovation has a clear positive impact, solves a real problem felt by customers, and has a compelling value proposition.
- Early market validation: Validated customer segments and initial evidence of product-market fit. Articulation of economic value proposition and evidence of customer buy-in.
- Intellectual property: Provisional patent(s) filed and assigned to the company, or evidence of a clear pathway to the license.
- Beyond proof of concept: Initial prototype developed and pilot studies/field trials underway. Team has received grants to develop the technology or initial prototype.
Questions on whether your company is a fit? Contact Patrick Beattie.
The Aspire Impact
- 236 startups have participated in Aspire since 2015.
- These teams have raised over $601M in follow-on funding since taking part in Aspire.
- Our startups have an 83% venture persistence rate.
Questions? Contact Patrick Beattie.
The 2025 Aspire Medtech program is offered in partnership with our generous sponsors, The Lemelson Foundation, TEDCO, and Cooley LLP.
