New startup incubator focuses on innovation in the health sector

In recent years, our digital pages have featured a number of organizations that are dedicated to nurturing startups, particularly those with a tech focus. New startup catalyst Rock Health however, feels that the health sector is lagging behind other industries when it comes to tech-related creativity, and is hoping to set things straight. Hopeful health startups can apply to the Rock Health program as of today, and a small group will then be selected as successful applicants. These startups will begin working with Rock Health in the summer of 2011, developing their ideas into fully-fledged business, products and services over the course of a few months. To assist them, they will receive a grant of between USD 15,000 to USD 20,000, office space in Silicon Valley, branding, design and PR advice from the Rock Health in-house Creative Director, and access to experts at hospital partners such as the Mayo Clinic Center for Innovation and Cincinnati Childrens Hospital. Furthermore, they will also be mentored by a team of advisors, such as Frank Moss, head of the New Media Medicine group at the MIT Media Lab, Charles Huang, co-founder of GuitarHero, and Michael Abbott, Vice President of Engineering at Twitter. We’ve already seen the value that technology can offer when it comes to health and wellbeing, with services such as Verbally and Carena already making a difference to peoples’ lives. Rock Health is using its heavyweight support to help similar projects get off the ground. One to get in touch with your own health startup, or to be inspired by! (Related: ‘Open-mic nights’ for business ideas — Tech support for minipreneurs.)