“Congratulations to Armor Medical for winning this year’s Grand Prize,” said Paul Grand, Founder and CEO of MedTech Innovator, during the announcement. “Armor Medical’s win shows that sophisticated medtech industry leaders recognize the value proposition of this game-changing maternal health innovation. Each of our finalists demonstrated the remarkable innovation happening across the medtech ecosystem. We’re proud to provide our platform to help bring these life-changing technologies to patients.”
The Grand Prize victory positions Armor Medical at the forefront of maternal health innovation, highlighting the company’s mission to transform early detection and treatment of postpartum hemorrhage—a condition that remains a leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide.
A breakthrough in maternal health
Armor Medical’s winning technology, Maternal aRMOR, is a non-invasive monitoring system designed to detect early signs of hemorrhage and provide real-time, objective insights into a patient’s condition. The wrist-worn sensor uses patented technology capable of capturing subtle changes in peripheral blood flow—independent of skin pigmentation—to identify early hemorrhage even before visible blood loss occurs.
The innovation’s potential for equitable and low-cost maternal care resonated deeply with both judges and the MedTech Innovator audience. Its ability to provide continuous, data-driven monitoring positions it as a critical advancement for hospitals, birthing centers, and resource-limited settings alike.
During her winning pitch, Kelsey Mayo, Co-Founder and CEO of Armor Medical, shared her personal journey that inspired the company’s founding. “We are honored to be named the MedTech Innovator Grand Prize winner,” said Mayo. “For me, this moment is especially meaningful as it represents resilience: the ability to absorb pressure, bend, and emerge stronger. That is the story of Armor Medical, and it is also the story of so many mothers and families touched by postpartum hemorrhage.”
Mayo emphasized that the award is not only a validation of their mission but also a tribute to the “creativity, grit, and unshakable belief” of the Armor team, as well as the mentors and sponsors who have supported them through the MedTech Innovator accelerator. “Together,” she added, “we are working to make birth safer for all mothers, everywhere.”
Recognizing excellence across the medtech ecosystem
While Armor Medical took the top honor, other finalists also received recognition for their groundbreaking contributions. Luminoah, Rivanna Medical, STENTiT, and SutureTech—all participants in the Early-Stage Competition—each received $25,000 awards.
The MedTech Innovator program, now regarded as one of the world’s premier medtech accelerators, selected 64 companies from thousands of global applicants for its 2025 cohort. The class included 45 early-stage and 19 mid-stage medical device, diagnostic, and digital health companies from across the globe. Over the course of four months, participants received mentorship, investor exposure, and strategic support aimed at helping them bring life-changing technologies to market.
By providing this network and visibility, MedTech Innovator continues to serve as a launchpad for startups that are redefining patient care. For Armor Medical, this Grand Prize represents not only funding but also global validation for its mission to advance maternal safety and equitable healthcare access through innovation.
Following Armor Medical’s triumph as the Grand Prize winner, the MedTech Innovator 2025 Finals in San Diego also celebrated a new generation of rising healthcare innovators—each addressing urgent unmet medical needs with creative, scalable technologies. While Armor took center stage for its maternal health breakthrough, two other standout startups — Wavelet and Luminoah — were also honored for their exceptional performance and impact.
Recognizing innovation and execution excellence
Wavelet received the prestigious Execution Award and Virginia Rybski Memorial Award, presented jointly by MedTech Innovator and AdvaMed Accel. The award celebrates leadership teams that not only develop transformative technologies but also demonstrate strong operational execution and the ability to deliver measurable value to patients. Along with the recognition, Wavelet earned a $25,000 prize, determined by live audience vote.
Wavelet is developing a noninvasive fetal EEG monitoring system capable of detecting fetal distress in real time — a leap forward in perinatal monitoring technology. By eliminating the need for invasive sensors and providing continuous, data-driven insights into fetal brain activity, the company’s system aims to help clinicians identify distress earlier and make timely decisions to prevent complications.
“Wavelet winning the MedTech Innovator Execution Award marks a defining milestone for our company,” said Liz Golden, Co-Founder and CEO of Wavelet. “The accelerator propelled us into the spotlight, helped us engage with strategic visionaries, and accelerate fundraising. We are deeply grateful to MTI and the mentors who guided us on this journey.”
The judges noted Wavelet’s strong leadership, execution strategy, and technical sophistication as key factors behind its selection. The innovation aligns closely with MedTech Innovator’s broader goal of empowering startups that combine clinical precision with accessibility and practical implementation in hospital settings.
Spotlight on Luminoah and patient-centric digital health
Meanwhile, Luminoah was named the winner of the Best Video Award, earning a $10,000 prize for its compelling presentation and storytelling. The Virginia-based company has developed a closed-loop enteral nutrition system that integrates real-time data monitoring for chronic disease management. The system connects patients, caregivers, and clinicians through a continuous feedback loop, ensuring that patients dependent on tube feeding receive optimal nutrition and care without interruption.
Luminoah’s solution exemplifies the growing convergence of digital health and traditional medtech, integrating sensors, smart algorithms, and patient engagement tools to improve adherence and outcomes. Its win underlines MedTech Innovator’s recognition of startups that not only build advanced medical technologies but also elevate patient experience and connectivity.
MedTech Innovator’s expanding global impact
Now in its 12th year, MedTech Innovator continues to reinforce its status as the world’s largest accelerator for medical technology startups. Its 2025 program attracted thousands of applicants from over 40 countries, reflecting the global demand for visibility, mentorship, and non-dilutive funding opportunities. Out of those, 64 companies were selected — 45 early-stage and 19 mid-stage firms spanning medical devices, diagnostics, and digital health solutions.
Participants gain access to world-class mentorship from leaders across major medtech firms, investors, and healthcare providers. Beyond financial prizes, the accelerator’s value lies in its network — connecting startups with strategic partners who can help navigate regulatory approval, clinical validation, and commercial scaling.
MedTech Innovator’s CEO Paul Grand emphasized that the program’s purpose goes far beyond awarding grants. “Our mission is to identify and accelerate the most promising startups in healthcare,” Grand said. “Each year, we witness transformative technologies that can make a tangible difference in patients’ lives, and we’re proud to support these innovators in turning their visions into reality.”
A year of breakthroughs and momentum
This year’s winners — Armor Medical, Wavelet, and Luminoah — reflect the diversity and direction of the medtech landscape in 2025: AI-enabled diagnostics, smart maternal care, real-time fetal monitoring, and connected chronic care platforms are redefining how innovation meets clinical need. The focus on equity, accessibility, and personalized treatment also underscores a broader shift in healthcare technology development: innovation that is not just advanced, but human-centered.
For Armor Medical, the Grand Prize is a catalyst to accelerate clinical deployment of its Maternal aRMOR device and expand collaborations with hospitals worldwide. For Wavelet and Luminoah, the recognition solidifies their place among the top emerging medtech companies poised to reshape maternal-fetal medicine and digital nutrition care, respectively.
As the MedTech Innovator 2025 cohort concludes, the organization continues to foster global innovation through upcoming regional programs and investor showcases. With support from AdvaMed, industry leaders, and public-private partners, MedTech Innovator remains a powerful platform for turning groundbreaking ideas into lifesaving solutions.
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