Sports medicine innovators wanted: University Hospitals launches startup search
James Voos, MD, Jack and Mary Herrick Distinguished Chair in Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine at University Hospitals and Executive Director at the Haslam Sports Innovation Center
Sports tech startups across the globe are being called to Cleveland for a shot at transforming the future of athletic performance, injury prevention, recovery time, and personalized sports medicine.
University Hospitals (UH), in partnership with Plug and Play, has announced the UH Haslam Sports Innovation Challenge, inviting early- to mid-stage startups, active research teams, and sports medicine professionals to apply for the chance to pilot and accelerate their technologies for the future of sports medicine within UH’s living lab.
Up to three finalists will pitch their innovations live at the SportsLand™ Summit on June 26, 2025, competing for funding, development support, and real-world testing opportunities.
With the UH Haslam Sports Innovation Center and the Drusinsky Sports Medicine Institute as anchors, the challenge aims to identify groundbreaking solutions that can elevate athlete performance, reduce the risk of injury, and personalize rehabilitation programs across all levels of sports — from professional athletes to high school athletes and fitness enthusiasts.
A Global Stage for Sports Tech Advancements
The challenge is open to both U.S.-based and international ventures with proven prototypes or research ready for real-world application. Ideal solutions include, but are not limited to, wearable devices (or any wearable technology), sports safety devices, surgical tools, data analytics platforms, and innovations in performance optimization.
Startups will gain access to UH’s extensive network of elite partners, including the Cleveland Browns and Cleveland Monsters sports teams, Cleveland Ballet, and more than 75 schools and community organizations, to provide a robust environment for testing and feedback.
Selected Finalists Will Receive:
The opportunity to pilot their solution with UH or its partners
Co-development and go-to-market support
Potential funding and/or strategic partnerships
Access to UH’s state-of-the-art facilities and athlete networks
While investment is not guaranteed, the challenge offers a rare opportunity for innovators to validate and grow their sports medicine technological advancements within a real-world healthcare and athletic environment.
Seeking Advancements in:
Wearable sensors that track biomechanics, movement patterns, workouts, hydration, or sleep patterns
Sports injury prevention and recovery solutions, from smart braces to neuromuscular monitoring
Data analytics platforms that provide real-time data to guide training regimens, treatment plans, and faster recovery time
Medical devices with crossover potential into sports environments, such as surgical tools or mobile diagnostics
Smart equipment innovations for overall performance enhancement or preventing injuries
Software and apps that provide virtual coaching and telemedicine, remote monitoring, or personalized recovery plans
Rehabilitation technologies, including robotics, motion capture, or gamified physical therapy tools
Performance enhancement solutions, including physiological parameters (nutrition, sleep tech) or cognitive (mental training, reaction time tracking)
And more
What It Means For Ohio
Beyond the startup spotlight, the Haslam Sports Innovation Challenge represents a strategic push to position Ohio as a national hub for technological innovation in sports medicine.
By attracting global ventures to pilot and scale technologies locally, the program reinforces Cleveland’s growing reputation in both health tech and sports science. It also strengthens ties between medical institutions, professional athletes, and educational institutions across the region.
Is the future of sports medicine technology in your hands? Apply here.
