Center for Medical Innovation
Center for Medical Innovation
Bench to Bedside APEX
Bench to Bedside APEX expands the University of Utah’s nationally recognized Bench to Bedside (B2B) program into a global competition. Over the last decade, B2B has supported thousands of student innovators translating clinical needs into viable healthcare technologies. APEX continues that mission by connecting international student-led ventures with the mentorship, investment, and resources needed to bring medical technologies to life.
About the Competition
Bench to Bedside APEX is a global competition for student-founded companies developing medical devices, diagnostics, and health technologies. Teams present their business plans and innovations to a panel of judges representing clinical, engineering, and investment expertise. The competition emphasizes device-focused innovation with the potential to improve patient outcomes, streamline care, and address unmet clinical needs.
Who Can Compete
- Current students enrolled at any accredited universities worldwide
- Recent graduates (Class of 2025 or later)
- Students or recent graduates must hold at least 51% ownership and serve as decision-makers for the company
Competition Levels
- Emerging Innovators: Teams with less than $50k raised
- Scaling Startups: Teams with less than $150k raised
- Five finalist teams from each level advance to the APEX finale
Benefits
B2B APEX will have two winners: one Emerging Innovator, and one Scaling Startup. Each winner will be awarded:
- $50k SAFE note investment from the Center for Medical Innovation
- One year of space for your company at the state-of-the-art Sorenson Center for Medical Innovation (SCMI)
- Access to prototyping facilities, consulting services, and SCMI programming
- Dedicated mentorship from clinicians, engineers, and industry professionals from the Center for Medical Innovation's network
How the Competition Works
Bench to Bedside APEX will take place from May 2026-October 2026.
Application Due
Each team must submit:
- Business Plan (20 page maximum)
- 3-Minute Video Pitch
- Up to Five Supplemental Items
Preliminary Round (Virtual)
Selected teams will advance to a preliminary judging round. Each of these teams will be required to attend a virtual pitch event to determine finalists for the grand finale event.
APEX Finale
A two-day event hosted in Salt Lake City, Utah at the Sorenson Center for Medical Innovation. Five teams from each category will present to a panel of industry executives for a chance at the APEX grand prize.
Two-Day APEX Grand Finale
Day 1 – Welcome to Utah
Finalist teams arrive at the University of Utah for an immersive introduction to the region’s innovation ecosystem. The day includes optional campus and lab tours, followed by a required evening networking reception connecting teams with mentors, judges, and fellow innovators.
Day 2 – Live Competition & Awards
Teams present their business plans and innovations in a live pitch session before a panel of clinical, engineering, and investment judges. The event concludes with an evening awards dinner celebrating outstanding innovation and building connections with investors and industry leaders.
