Are you developing a solution to a health or healthcare problem, such as a drug, device, biologic, behavioral health intervention, or other innovation?
Innovate2Impact is designed to propel your health-related innovation through the next steps. Join us to showcase your innovation, receive input from innovation experts and industry leaders, build collaborations, and explore funding opportunities.
This four-part program is open to both emerging and experienced investigators working on health-related research from Tufts CTSI affiliates, including Tufts University, Tufts Medicine, Northeastern University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Schedule
Innovation Expo: Advancing Health Innovations in Massachusetts (open to all)
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
Tufts University School of Medicine
Center for Medical Education
145 Harrison Avenue, 1st Floor
Boston, MA 02111
The Innovation Expo will showcase a variety of health-related innovations grounded in research. Teams developing innovations, investors, and anyone interested in improving health and healthcare are welcome!
What to expect:
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Insights from the Field: Expert insights into the regional health innovation landscape and the pivotal role of health research in shaping the future.
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Lightning Talks: Targeted presentations of selected innovations to spotlight novel approaches and spark discussion.
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Poster Session & Networking: Interactive poster session and networking event where researchers present their work, receive real-time feedback, and catalyze new collaborations.
Innovators and Researchers: Emerging and experienced researchers may submit abstracts (see below) to participate in the lightning talks or poster session to gain valuable connections and funding opportunities.
Investors: Discover emerging innovations and engage early and directly with the minds behind the work.
Public: Explore transformative health-related research led by creative thinkers from leading institutions.
View the Full Innovation Expo Agenda
Register to Attend the Expo and/or Submit an Abstract
Whether you are presenting or just attending, the Innovation Expo is a platform to inspire, connect, and accelerate impact!
If you are unable to attend the in-person Innovation Expo, you are still welcome to participate in the Pitch Lab.
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Pitch Lab (open to all)
Fall 2025/Winter 2026 (more information to come)
Location TBD
Sharpen Your Pitch. Accelerate Your Impact.
Pitch Lab is a hands-on workshop series led by seasoned innovators to help researchers craft compelling pitches to seek funding or catch the interest of essential collaborators. These sessions will prepare you to communicate the value of your work with clarity and conviction.
What you will gain:
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Understand key elements of a successful pitch
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Receive constructive feedback on pitch content, structure, & delivery
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Build confidence in articulating the impact of your work
Pitch Lab Overview:
Pitch Fundamentals: Master the core elements of a clear, concise, and persuasive pitch and receive actionable input in a supportive environment.
Customer Connection: Engage with potential users and stakeholders to validate customer needs and refine your messaging.
Refinement Strategies: Refine your pitch to focus on outcomes, relevance, and real-world impact.
Pitch Lab is FREE and open to all who are considering pitching their research project at the Innovation Tank. Although recommended, Pitch Lab is not required to participate in the Innovation Tank.
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Innovation Tank: Launchpad for Impact (by invitation only)
Winter 2025/Spring 2026 (more information to come)
Location TBD
Chosen innovators (from the Pitch Lab and select invitees) will be invited to present their promising health solutions to a distinguished panel of judges – including innovation leaders, subject matter experts, investors, and patient advocates – who will probe their thinking, ask constructive questions, and offer actionable, real-world insights.
Finalists will be selected to receive funding and collaboration opportunities and a Mentor Link invitation. Pitches will be evaluated on real-world applicability, innovation, and potential for measurable impact.
*More information on submitting an abstract coming soon*
Event Highlights:
Live Pitches: Selected researchers deliver brief, compelling presentations of their innovations.
Expert Panel: Cross-sector judges from academia, healthcare, industry, and innovation sectors offer feedback grounded in experience.
This is more than a competition—it’s a launchpad for ideas with the power to transform health outcomes.
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Mentor Link: Accelerating Innovation Through Expert Guidance (by invitation only)
Spring through Fall 2026 (more information to come)
Finalists from the Innovation Tank will be matched with an experienced mentor or mentor team for long-term support to accelerate their innovation along the translational spectrum.
Mentors may include innovation specialists, academic/clinical subject matter experts, and industry leaders.
What to expect:
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Coaching and guidance on Innovate2Impact funding utilization, future funding pathways, intellectual property protections, and regulatory considerations.
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Connections to collaborators, investors, clinicians, and/or industry partners.
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Mentorship commitment of at least 6 months to ensure meaningful progress.
Mentor Link is designed to transform promising ideas into real-world solutions via sustained and customized expert support.
Event Flyer
Coming soon!
Contact
Innovate2Impact is proudly sponsored by Tufts CTSI, the Auster Center for Applied Innovation and Research at Tufts University, the Northeastern University College of Professional Studies, the Northeastern Biopharmaceutical Analysis Training Laboratory, and MIT.
