Why time-boxed innovation challenges are one of the best ways to turn a clinical problem into a startup.
A good hackathon starts with a real problem, often brought by clinicians, and gives mixed teams of engineers, designers and scientists a short time to solve it.
The pressure of the clock forces quick prototyping and honest feedback. Ideas that survive the weekend usually have something worth building.
The most valuable outcome is often the team itself. Many startups begin when people who met at a challenge decide to keep going.
Incubators help these teams take the next step, with mentoring, lab access and a path towards a first prototype.
