The 2026 Collegiate Healthcare Innovation Challenge

Click Here to Apply! Applications Close March 8th.

A high-energy healthcare technology pitch competition where bold ideas meet real investment. Compete for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place cash prizes, with the added opportunity to secure financial and in-kind support from an experienced investment panel.

Hosted in person on Saturday, April 4th at The University of Texas at Austin, this event brings together the most driven undergraduate teams ready to turn innovative healthcare designs into real-world impact.

Event Partners

Viva Films

AmiKus Law

The University of Texas at Austin

Interested in Sponsoring?

Prize Pool and Timeline

1st Place: $2000

2nd Place: $1000

3rd Place: $500

Audience Choice: $300

Honorable Mention: $300

February 8th: Virtual applications open

March 8th: Virtual applications due

March 21st: Finalists announced

April 4th: In-person competition on the UT Austin Campus

  • The investment panel consists of individual investors, angel investors, group investors, and representatives from investment firms/companies. They have a shared interest in supporting student teams.

  • Teams can only win one cash prize. Prizes are distributed via the University of Texas at Austin as a middleman and are subject to University code and guidelines.

  • There is no limit on virtual round applications. Each team may only apply once. Sixteen teams will be accepted to the final in-person round.

  • Support is assessed on a need basis. Teams that require travel support can email us at austin.tewh@gmail.com to petition for support.

Judging and Investment Panel

Victor Elizalde

Victor Elizalde is an inventive executive with a strong record of global business development for Fortune 100 companies in entertainment and consumer products. Known for driving multi-billion-dollar revenue and profit growth through new ventures and product expansion, they bring a data-driven, visionary leadership style grounded in advanced training in applied economics.

Shaz Rajashekhar

Shaz Rajashekar is the co-founder of SHAZ & KIKS, a hair wellness brand rooted in Ayurvedic traditions and modern science. A chemical engineer with over 20 years of experience in strategy, product innovation, and business leadership across global industries, she brings a strong execution-focused perspective to building impactful ventures.

Dr. Brent Iverson

Dr. Brent Iverson is a chemist whose research bridges chemistry and biology, focusing on the design and evolution of complex molecular systems, and he teaches undergraduate Organic Chemistry as well as a Signature Course titled The Science of Happiness. He has held multiple leadership roles at the University of Texas, including Department Chair and Dean of Undergraduate Studies, is the coauthor of a ninth-edition Organic Chemistry textbook, and serves on the Boards of Directors of Research Corporation for Science Advancement and Kesem.

Chuck Forton

Chuck Forton is Vice President of New Product Development and Production at Acuity Surgical, where he leads the development and commercialization of market-leading spinal devices. With nearly a decade of experience spanning engineering, regulatory affairs, and production, he brings deep expertise in translating medical device concepts into clinically impactful products.

Tom Wala

Tom Wala is a Co-Founder and Board Member of ILLUMIFIED AI, where they are building the world’s first AI-native monetization engine for large language models, while advancing a platform-for-good that shares 10% of revenues with global community initiatives. A proven business model innovator and educator, they previously founded UkuMi, teach at UT Austin’s McCombs School of Business, and have led transformative digital, SaaS, and AI initiatives across companies such as Dell and VMware.

Dr. Nuttada Panpradist

Dr. Nuttada Panpradist is an Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin, where her work is driven by a commitment to improving healthcare access globally. She leads the PANDA Lab, developing affordable and portable point-of-care diagnostics for infectious diseases, women’s health, and One Health by integrating molecular engineering, synthetic biology, and digital tools for use in real-world clinical and community settings.

Rubric and Eligibility

Eligibility for Application:

  1. The project must solve a healthcare related problem or have a healthcare related application.

  2. Project must have been started after January 1st, 2024

  3. Project must be driven by undergraduate students enrolled at the University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin)

    1. Projects worked on by non-undergraduate students are ineligible.

    2. Projects mentored by non-undergraduate students are eligible

  4. Projects must not have utilized significant funding (>$50k)

If you have any questions regarding your eligibility for application, please contact us at austin.tewh@gmail.com

Simplified Rubric for Virtual Application

The virtual application opens on February 1st. It will require a two-page summary introducing your project. The virtual application will be graded by the judging panel.

Content

The virtual application will be evaluated by the following criteria.

  1. Problem Description

    Thoroughly defines the problem, connects it to broader healthcare or societal needs, and provides a detailed critique of existing/past solutions, highlighting gaps that the innovation aims to fill.

  2. Design Considerations

    Demonstrates a clear understanding of technical, biological, and implementation challenges, and shows how the design strategically addresses each one.

  3. Design Solution

    High-quality visuals, clear explanation of functionality, and discussion of how the solution integrates science, technology, and entrepreneurship to create measurable healthcare impact.

  4. Market Understanding

    Detailed market analysis, including a thorough competitive landscape analysis (direct and indirect competitors) and validated need supported by primary/secondary research. TAM/SAM/SOM estimates are clearly presented and logically derived.

Guidelines for Final Round Pitches

Info

Final-round pitches will take place in person on the University of Texas at Austin Campus on Saturday, April 4th, from 8 AM - 5 PM. Teams will have the opportunity to pitch once to the combined panel of judges and investors. Please note: some investors may also be volunteering as judges. Some judges may not be investors.

The judging panel will determine your eligibility for the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place cash prize based upon a fixed rubric, given below.

The investment panel is composed of individual or group investors or representatives from investment firms. Each investor will determine whether to support your project based on their personal investment criteria. Each team can accept offers from the investment panel at its own discretion.

Guidelines

We recommend that teams consider that they are presenting to both judges and potential investors.

  • Utilize non-technical and general language where possible

  • Be clear about your future goals and what you are seeking (e.g., financial support, mentorship on commercialization, strategic partnerships).

  • Some judges and investors are listed below. Be sure to research their respective backgrounds.

Form for all inquires

This form will be reviewed for all inquires related to competing teams, interested judges, investors, or corporate sponsors. Thank you!