Startups building robotics or automation for healthcare and biotech, including but not limited to: lab and pharma automation, diagnostics and imaging workflows, hospital logistics, rehabilitation and assistive devices, surgical and interventional robotics, and enabling technologies such as sensing, precision motion, and cybersecurity for medical devices. The program is open to global teams. Both earlier teams and more mature companies, including those at Seed through Series C, are encouraged to apply.
Applicants are evaluated on technical maturity, clinical relevance, feasibility of near-term milestones, program fit, and mentor alignment. Teams able to pursue a proof-of-concept during the five-month program are especially encouraged to apply.
This program focuses on areas such as:
• Clinical care • Pharmaceutical and hospital automation • Laboratory automation • Precision and regenerative medicine • Point-of-care solutions • Rehabilitation • Assistive technologies • Workforce support and training
Applications open: September 30, 2025 – December 1, 2025
Evaluation and interviews: December 1 to December 15, 2025
Cohort announcement: January 5, 2026
Program period: January to May 2026
APPLY HERE!
The Healthcare Robotics Startup Catalyst is an established program presented by MassRobotics in collaboration with FESTO, Mitsubishi Electric Automation, Novanta, and MITRE. This program is designed to support healthcare robotics startups by offering comprehensive and valuable mentorship guidance, and essential resources to foster growth and success.
The program’s focus areas include clinical care, pharmaceutical and hospital automation, laboratory automation, automation of precision and regenerative medicine, point-of-care solutions, rehabilitation, assistive technologies for improved quality of life and continuity of work, and training and support for healthcare professionals.
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