On Feb. 15, UCLA Health announced that, in partnership with BioscienceLA and UCLA Biodesign, it has launched a new accelerator at the crossroads of health equity and technology.
A press release from UCLA Health states that “Aimed at supporting long-term community health resilience and improvements in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the UCLA Health TechQuity Accelerator seeks to bridge clinical excellence and innovation for diverse patient populations.”
That said, “TechQuity invites mission-driven, early-stage startups to apply to its first cohort, which launches on May 1, 2022. The four-month program will provide founders with personalized mentorship, access to clinical expertise, and product development support. The program will culminate in a final pitch showcase featuring UCLA Health leaders and community stakeholders. TechQuity draws on the regional connectivity of the burgeoning Los Angeles tech ecosystem, leveraging the region’s diverse talents, assets and infrastructure.”
The release says that TechQuity works across four themes emphasizing inclusive technology for health equity in diverse populations. The four themes include:
- Prevention
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Community impact
Medell Briggs-Malonson, M.D., chief of health equity, diversity and inclusion for the UCLA Hospital & Clinic System and a specialist in emergency medicine, was qupted in the release saying that “In addition to meeting health needs in communities most heavily impacted by COVID-19, we’re striving to support a more diverse life science workforce by expanding career-building opportunities for individuals from underrepresented backgrounds. Our partnership with BioscienceLA represents a strong community commitment to these efforts.”
The release concludes that “TechQuity is accepting applications on a rolling basis from pre-seed and seed-stage companies through March 31. More information can be found at https://bit.ly/3oT95gt.”
