Wells Student HealthTech Challenge

Ben Leslie receives the top prize for the 2024 Competition. Vice Chancellor for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Evan Facher (left) presented the award.

The Wells Student HealthTech Challenge is sponsored by the Michael G. Wells Entrepreneurial Scholars Fund and is for University of Pittsburgh students who are developing innovations related to the healthcare field.

Students (individually or as a team) will be given the opportunity to present their innovations on November 11, 2025, and compete for a total of $40,000 in the Michael G. Wells Entrepreneurial Scholars Award to help move their idea towards commercialization.

Eligibility

  • University of Pittsburgh students — undergraduate to postdoc — working on a healthcare-related Pitt technology
  • Possess an idea that could change the way healthcare is practiced
  • Interested in learning about starting a business

Awards

Wells Student HealthTech Challenge Funds amounts awarded to department:

  • 1st Place $20,000
  • 2nd Place $15,000
  • 3rd Place $5,000

Upcoming Info Sessions

Ready to Apply? 

2025 Applications Are Open

**Application Deadline is August 31, 2025

  1. Pitt undergrad, grad students, or postdocs from all Pitt campuses may apply with a faculty sponsor.
  2. Student applicants must represent a Pitt technology originating from Pitt research.
  3. Past winners of the Wells Student HealthTech Challenge are not eligible to compete. Past applicants who did not win are encouraged to reapply.
  4. Applications are to be submitted using the online application by August 31, 2025 (11:59 p.m.). Please note that only responses to the required questions will be reviewed; additional materials and attachments are not permitted. For team-based ideas, the lead student (presenting student) must meet eligibility requirements indicated above. All team members’ contact information should be listed on one application form.
  5. The Innovation Institute is not responsible for technical problems resulting in submissions not being received.
  6. Entries will be reviewed by a panel of judges on the basis of innovation, feasibility, market potential, and student motivation/dedication.
  7. Semi-Finalists will be notified by September 5, 2025.
  8. Semi-Finalists work on Elevator Pitch and marketing brief September 8-September 12th. Semi-Finalists 1-minute video pitch due by September 12, 11:59 p.m.
  9. Finalists will be notified on September 19, 2025.
  10. Finalist Kickoff Event (with judges & mentors) will take place on September 23, 2025.
  11. All finalists will be paired with a business mentor to develop 5–7-minute presentation PowerPoint pitch deck and help complete a marketing brief for the technology.  Marketing briefs will be due October 19, 2025. Finalists may also participate in business and presentation development workshops.
  12. Participants who have previously demonstrated their proficiency by successfully completing the Regional NSF I-Corps program (formerly known as First Gear) should submit their customer interview notes and/or final presentation so their efforts will be noted by the selection committee.  Applicants who have NOT previously participated in the Regional NSF I-Corps program should consider the competitive advantages that participation can provide and are strongly encouraged to register for an NSF Short Course prior to the competition.
  13. The final pitch competition will take place November 11, 2025. More details to follow.
  14. All judges’ decisions will be final.
  15. Winners understand the award is to be used within the University for pre-commercialization and technology validation activities. The award funds will be transferred to a university account designated by awardee and their faculty sponsor. Award funds must be expended in accordance with university policy and cannot be used for faculty salary or stipend. Line-item budgets will be required and must be submitted and approved by the Innovation Institute prior to transfer of funds.
  16. The University will own and protect related Pitt intellectual property rights arising from the development activities using the Award Funds. If the University licenses or commercializes any intellectual property, the awardees considered to be inventors, creators, or developers will receive a share of proceeds consistent with the terms of the University of Pittsburgh Intellectual Property Policy, as applicable.

Past Winners

Previous Michael G. Wells Competition winners have progressed within the University entrepreneurial ecosystem and have participated and received additional funding through the Center for Medical Innovation and the Pitt Innovation Challenge (PInCh) and the Commercialization Gap Fund.

2024 Winners

2023 Winners

2022 Winners

2021 Winners

2020 Winners

Have Additional Questions?

Email Priya Amin, Entrepreneur In Residence
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