HealthOPX, a healthcare software company that improves the health outcomes of English as a Second Language (ESL) patients by filling gaps in their healthcare communication, won the TCNewTech Pitch contest on November 3, held during an online-only event which aired on the TCNewTech YouTube Channel and Facebook Page to an international audience. Wesley Ma, CEO of HealthOpX, and his fellow co-founders are all second-generation Americans who grew up having to assist their parents when navigating the healthcare system here in the U.S.
They beat out four other XlerateHealth entrepreneurs to take home the $500 cash prize, which was sponsored by Custer, Inc. Custer designs and builds environments that maximize productivity and a sense of purpose, drawing on extensive research and established expertise. Providing full-service solutions including workplace strategy, design, integrated technology, custom-tailored solutions and furniture, Custer delivers spaces that inspire and support great work.
The TCNewTech Pitch competition showcased five emerging startups, all a part of XlerateHealth’s second annual cohort, a national award-winning healthcare startup accelerator. In addition to HealthOpx, pitches were given by 2innovate, a specialist in the creation of innovative medical devices; BELL TECH Communications, which provides solutions to improve communications for the deaf; SafetySit with a device which aims to prevent injuries caused by patient handling; and iSaab Innovations, a patented sequential multi-chamber drug delivery syringe which includes a built-in flushing solution. Although all five startups are at various stages of launch, the one thing they all share in common is the need for funding. The event was live-streamed and can be viewed on YouTube and Facebook.
Each of the competitors had five minutes to pitch their startup followed by five minutes of questions submitted by the live-stream audience. After all five founders had presented, the audience had two minutes to vote via text message and they named Wesley Ma as the evening’s winner.
TCNewTech brings together innovative ideas with investors during monthly pitch contests typically held at the City Opera House in downtown Traverse City but since April has been held online via StreamYard streaming platform due to the pandemic. TCNewTech sponsors include Michigan Broadband Services, Susan Soffredine Rauser with State Farm Insurance, SCORE, Northern Michigan Angels, AccessPoint, Custer and the Nielson Family Foundation.
