Seoul Innovation QuickFire Challenge calls for best ideas in smart healthcare

The third QuickFire Challenge focusing in smart healthcare was announced in Seoul yesterday, inviting innovators from around the world – including startups, entrepreneurs, academics, scientists and biotech researches – to submit the best idea, technology, or solution that aims to address a health need for the world's population.

"The Asia Pacific region is a health tech powerhouse," said Melinda Richter, global head, Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JLABS. "South Korea is an emerging leader in health tech innovation, and there is tremendous potential in the areas of AI, blockchain, and big data among others. The Smart Healthcare QuickFire Challenge is a global call for submissions with the aim to identify great, tech-enabled ideas that can make a long-lasting, positive impact on the health of individuals and communities worldwide."

Officially called “Seoul Innovation QuickFire Challenge in Smart Healthcare”, it is organized by Janssen Korea and Johnson & Johnson Innovation in collaboration with the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI).

Up to two awardees will receive up to KRW 150,000,000 (approximately US$134,000)1 in grant funding, one year of residency at the Seoul Bio Hub, one year of mentorship and coaching from experts in science, technology and commercialization at the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies, and access to the JLABS global entrepreneurial community.

The QuickFire Challenges, managed by JLABS—the no-strings-attached incubators of Johnson & Johnson Innovation—focuses on the following technology-enabled innovation areas: big data, artificial intelligence, blockchain; 3D printing, Internet of Things (IoT), sensors, wearables; and, personalized medicine, companion diagnostics,

"In collaboration with local leaders, we are working to support the entrepreneurial community and enhance the life science ecosystem by fostering an environment that embraces novel scientific and technological approaches to improving the health and care of patients and consumers," said Jenny Zheng, Area Managing Director, Janssen North Asia3. "We are interested in QuickFire Challenge applicants with ideas that leverage health tech to advance customized approaches to patient care, shared decision making, and efforts to lower barriers and improve access to care."

For more information about the Smart Healthcare QuickFire Challenge (including the terms and conditions of entry), visit: http://jlabs.buzz/SmartHealthcare