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 $350k raised
- *If your startup does not fall within these categories but believes you should be eligible to compete, please reach out to our team.
- Five finalist teams from each level advance to the APEX finale. All finalist teams may apply for a travel stipend to the finale event.
Benefits
B2B APEX will have two winners: one Emerging Innovator, and one Scaling Startup. Each winner will be awarded:
- $50k in non-dilutive funding from the CMI
- One year of dedicated incubator 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
- Scholarship to the award-winning Master of Business Creation at the David Eccles School of Business
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, additional 10 page appendix allowed)
- Executive Summary (1 page maximum)
- 3-Minute Video Pitch
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. Finalist teams will be announced early August 2026.
Two-Day APEX Grand Finale
Day 1 – Welcome to Utah (October 23, 2026)
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 an evening networking reception connecting teams with mentors, judges, and fellow innovators.
Day 2 – Live Competition & Awards (October 24, 2026)
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. All finalist teams may apply for a travel stipend to the finale event.
