2024 MedTech Challenge

Objective Pain Measurement

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The Challenge

MatchPlay, in collaboration with the OpenTreatments Foundation, aims to enhance the quality of life for individuals experiencing pain. To achieve this, the two organizations are inviting proposals from well-qualified startups to undertake the development or research of a product capable of providing an objective means of measuring pain.

Program Objectives

The Challenge is to develop or research a product that can create an objective measurement for pain, especially for children and those with communication constraints (e.g. non-verbal neurodivergent). The product should have the following characteristics:

• Measure pain in a way that is objective, reliable, and valid.
• Measure pain in a variety of contexts, including acute and chronic pain, and should be suitable for use in clinical trials and other research studies.
• Easy to use and should be accessible to individuals with disabilities and their caregivers. 
• Usable on individuals with potential communication constraints.

Application and Program Timeline

Applications for MatchPlay's first Challenge program open on January 24, 2024!

• Pre-Application Deadline - February 9th
• Full Application Deadline - February 23rd
• Startup Selection - March 15th
• Program Launch - April 8th
• Showcase - Week of June 24th

Scope of Work

• The startup will be responsible for developing or researching a product that can create an objective measurement for pain.
• The startup will be responsible for testing the product to ensure that it is reliable, valid, and easy to use.
• The startup will be responsible for providing training and support to medical staff and caretakers on how to use the product.
• The startup will be responsible for providing ongoing maintenance and support for the product.

Current Roadblocks and Barriers to Success

• Pain is a complex and subjective experience that is influenced by biological, psychological, emotional, and social factors.
• There are no clear biomarkers for pain currently discovered.
• Pain is not a stand-alone ailment; it is the body’s response to other developments, including injury, infection, and disease. 

Selection Metrics and Criteria

• The product should be scalable and should be able to accommodate a large number of users.
• The product should be cost-effective and should be affordable to out-of-pocket users or families.
• The product should not require medical personnel or separate certification to use or administer, although proper training before use is understandable and expected.
• The product should be usable on children and individuals with potential communication constraints.
• The startup’s experience and expertise in developing or researching products that can create an objective measurement for pain.
• The startup’s ability to meet the program goals within the proposed timeline and budget for the project.
• The startup’s proposed future development and support plan for the product.

Submission Requirements

• Proposals should be submitted using the "Apply Here" link below.
• Proposals should include the following:
• • A cover letter that summarizes the startup’s experience and expertise in developing or researching products that can create an objective measurement for pain.
  • A detailed proposal that outlines how the startup will meet the project requirements.
  • A proposed plan for timeline and budget for the project.
  • A proposed future development and support plan for the product.

Funding

• Up to $10,000 during the program to build out the MVP
• Companies will have a chance to present to investors with an opportunity to receive $50,000+ in investment.

Contact Information

Fernando Moreno Cortina
Program Director
fernando@matchplaygroup.com

About MatchPlay

MatchPlay tees up startup founders on their journey towards their entrepreneurial moonshot. Acting as trusted caddies, our team will stand side-by-side with founders to guide them through the challenging fairways of startup success. With transparency and community in mind, our goal is to match founders to the right resources around the world, ensuring they have the perfect swing to drive their startup to new heights.

About The OpenTreatments Foundation

The OpenTreatments Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to addressing societal challenges that impact patients’ quality of life. We actively support the development and deployment of digital technologies, particularly in situations where conventional market forces fall short. Our current focus is on enhancing the lives of patients with rare and genetic diseases.