Largest and Most Diverse Field in Program’s History Heads to Final Event in August
SHREVEPORT, La. — Startup Prize: Focus on Health, an entrepreneurial competition dedicated to advancing innovative health and medical startups, has announced the finalists who will compete in its 2025 Final Final event on August 23. The national program, presented by the Prize Foundation and Louisiana Economic Development, continues to grow in both scope and impact.
This year’s competition attracted a record-breaking 75+ startups from 23 states, featuring the largest percentage of female-founded companies in its history—more than 50%, significantly outpacing the national average of 35%. The 2025 cohort includes ventures in medical devices, therapeutics, healthtech, health services, and pharmaceutical research, divided into FDA and Non-FDA tracks.
“This year’s Startup Prize: Focus on Health was mind-blowing,” said Gregory Kallenberg, founder of Startup Prize. “There was so much energy, passion, and a collective desire from all of the entrepreneurs to make the world a better place. While we congratulate all the finalists, we celebrate everyone who participated and engaged with our mentors and investor judges. It was truly our best year ever.”
2025 Startup Prize Finalists
FDA Track:
- OrthoPreserve (Atlanta, GA): Minimally invasive artificial meniscus implant designed to relieve knee pain, restore joint function, and prevent arthritis.
- MusiQ Bio (Arlington, TX): Targeted drug delivery system using microbubbles and ultrasound to treat cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.
- Wearable Dose (Bowie, MD): AI-driven wearable patch that monitors and manages radiation dosage during treatment or industrial exposure.
Non-FDA Track:
- BRCE (Lansing, MI): Developer of high-impact safety gear, launching with patented ultra-secure shoelaces.
- Orbit Genomics (Boulder, CO): Biotech company using AI-powered DNA analysis to predict inherited and acquired disease risks.
- Ovum Health (Sagle, ID): Virtual fertility and maternal health clinic offering personalized diagnostics and telehealth services.
What’s Next
At the Final Final, finalists will present their ventures to a panel of Startup Prize Investor Judges, who will evaluate each business for its feasibility, impact, and investment potential. Winners in both tracks will receive $10,000 in cash and may also attract direct investments from judges. The results will be announced during a private awards brunch on August 24.
Startup Prize, founded in 2014 and based in Shreveport, has evolved into a premier platform for early-stage health startups, offering cash prizes, mentorship, and access to investors. Since narrowing its focus to health innovation in 2021, the program has solidified its position as the largest entrepreneurial gathering in Northwest Louisiana.
For more information, visit lastartupprize.com.