Impact4kids, acceleration program to boost innovation in paediatric and maternal health

On 21 November, during the Pediatric Innovation Day held at CosmoCaixa in Barcelona, Impact4kids was launched – an international acceleration programme that combines the expertise of two leading initiatives in paediatric and maternal innovation: Impact1 at Stanford Biodesign and i4KIDS, the paediatric innovation hub coordinated by Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona Children’s Hospital.

What is Impact4kids?

Impact4kids is a six-month programme aimed at supporting innovative projects focused on paediatric and maternal health. Its goal is to accelerate disruptive technological solutions such as medical devices, biotechnology, digital health, and healthcare services. This programme is designed to strengthen collaboration between the United States and Europe by connecting researchers, startups, and entrepreneurs with experts from both markets and offering:

• Personalised training: Interactive sessions on development, clinical validation, regulatory approval, and market access strategies in the US and Europe.
• Individualised coaching: Ongoing guidance to validate unmet needs and refine development and implementation strategies.
• Immersion in international ecosystems: Direct connection to innovation networks in both continents.
• Networking opportunities: Engagement with key experts and mentors.

Who can participate in Impact4kids?

The programme is open to startups, companies, and research projects based in the US or Europe, provided they meet the following criteria:

• Focus on fetal, neonatal, paediatric, or maternal health.
• The proposal must be at least in the proof-of-concept stage (Technology Readiness Level; TRL 3) and at most have the technology demonstrated in a relevant environment (TRL 6).
• Have at least one team member fully dedicated to the project and a commitment to participate in at least 80% of the programme’s activities.
• Have secured less than $5 million in total funding to date.

Open call until 26 January 2025

• Application period: From 2 December 2024 to 26 January 2025.
• Project selection: February 2025.
• Programme duration: March to September 2025.

To apply, interested parties must complete the application form in English through the designated link before the deadline.

Further information

For enquiries or more details, please contact:

• Antje Kirschner – Chief of Staff, Impact1 at Stanford Biodesign: akirschner@stanford.edu
• Sofia Ferreira Quartino – Innovation Project Manager, i4KIDS: sofia.ferreira@sjd.es