Finalists Selected for 10th Annual Hollomon Health Innovation Challenge
College students from around the Pacific Northwest propelled the start of the Hollomon Health Innovation Challenge (HIC) into record heights
Written by: Charles Trillingham, Buerk Center for Entrepreneurship
Student teams kicked off the 2025 Hollomon Health Innovation Challenge (HIC) at the University of Washington with proof there is more enthusiasm and ideas to improve our well-being than ever before. The HIC had a record-breaking number of participants in the Screening Round, with 69 applications representing ten different colleges and universities across the Cascadia Corridor (WA, OR, ID, AK, and British Columbia). Judges chose 22 of those teams (detailed below) to move onto the Final Round of the competition, hosted by the Buerk Center for Entrepreneurship in the Foster School of Business.
For the third consecutive year, the HIC set a new high water mark for participation — a fitting milestone for a student-focused event celebrating its 10th anniversary.
“Students have met the moment time and time again, whether it’s by embracing new technologies like AI landing on the scene or re-imagining how older, proven methods can improve healthcare for patients,” said Jessica Roberto, manager of the HIC and graduate programs at the Buerk Center. “This year’s group is positioned to take its place among the success stories that have gone on to make an impact in the Seattle ecosystem — and beyond!”
The students on the finalist teams (and one alternate) represent more than two dozen academic departments, programs and majors at seven schools including UW, UW Bothell, the Global Innovation Exchange (GIX) in Bellevue, Seattle University, Bellevue College, Oregon State University, and the University of Victoria.
They will now compete for a share of more than $35,000 in prizes this year including select $2,500 “Best Idea” prizes in the following categories:
· The Best Idea for Patient Safety, presented by the Patient Safety Technology Challenge, which recognizes a technology-enabled solution that actively engages consumers in preventing medical harm through the reduction of medication-related errors, medical complications with patient care, procedure/surgery-related errors, infections, and/or diagnostic errors.
· The Best Idea for a Medical Device, presented by former Dempsey Startup competitor-turned startup Naturacur, which recognizes a medical device concept (for a physical product) with the most promising opportunity to significantly improve the lives of patients or providers.
· The Kent & Lisa Sacia Best Idea in Digital Health recognizes an innovative digital health application that has a high likelihood of being implemented in practical healthcare situations with meaningful impact.
· The Best Idea for Addressing Health Access and Disparities, presented by the UW Population Health Initiative, which recognizes a student innovation or intervention that seeks to close the gap in health disparities for low-income and disadvantaged groups. The innovation or intervention must increase access to point-of-care healthcare services and/or addressing systemic biases within the current healthcare system.
Prior HIC competitors that have gone on to launch startups in recent years include OneCourt in ’23 (partnerships with NBA and others), CathConnect in ’22 (won 2023 Seattle Angel Conference), Spira in ’20 (acquired by Galileo in 2021), Nanodropper in ’19 (received over 20 national awards), A-Alpha Bio in ’18 (more than $60+ million in fundraising), mIPS Labs in ’16 (later acquired under the name Silene Biotech)
Including this year, more than 1,500 students and 442 teams have competed over the 10 years of the HIC. 211 of those teams advanced to the Final Round, earning more than $334,500 prior to this year in prizes — while giving up zero equity in their innovations by participating.
2025 Screening Round teams who were not selected to advance received valuable feedback from judges which could lead to success down the road as they continue their work, or if they choose to apply for the Dempsey Startup Competition.
Good luck to the 2025 Hollomon Health Innovation Challenge Finalists
BioSyft
Biosyft is developing affordable animal tracking and analysis technologies to understand animal behavior for the advancement of disease research, therapeutics, and human/animal co-existence.
- University of Washington (Pharmacology, Business, Neuroscience, Computer Science and Engineering)
DynamEye
DynamEye is creating smart navigation glasses for the visually impaired that utilize AI-powered enhancements for greater safety, independence, and social inclusion.
- UW Global Innovation Exchange (GIX) (Technology Innovation)
EnviroTect
EnviroTect aims to create a device that filters volatile gases exhaled during surgical procedures before they are released into the environment.
- University of Washington (Bioengineering)
General Molecular Electronics
General Molecular Electronics is developing a genetic diagnostic for LPA, the leading genetic risk factor for cardiovascular disease, using proprietary nanopore sequencing technology.
- University of Washington (Genome Sciences)
JanuTech
Janutech is developing novel battery material to enhance the performance of medical supply delivery via drones in underserved communities.
- University of Washington (Chemical Engineering)
LegUp Prosthetics
LegUp Prosthetics is developing an adjustable, transtibial prosthetic and corresponding diagnostic system to help patients navigate poor healthcare infrastructure and reduce their financial burden.
- University of Washington (Bioengineering, Engineering, Arts and Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry)
Luminovah
Luminovah aims to revolutionize newborn health monitoring by offering early detection and continuous monitoring of jaundice through its non-invasive technology and custom-made AI model.
- University of Washington (Electrical & Computer Engineering, Finance and Accounting)
Lymphatix
Lymphatix is designing a minimally invasive device to restore normal function for heart failure patients by reducing fluid buildup due to heart and lymphatic failures.
- University of Washington (Mechanical Engineering, Bioengineering, Biomechanical Engineering)
MedVenture
MedVenture aims to transform the hospital environment into an engaging, mixed-reality experience to improve the emotional well-being and reduce mental health risks for children in long-term treatment.
- University of Washington (Computer Engineering, Informatics, Health Administration)
Mentem.lab
Mentem.lab is developing an AI-powered platform that optimizes behavioral health management workflows for Primary Care Providers through data-driven insights.
- University of Washington (Information Systems and Operations Management, Human Centered Design and Engineering, Informatics, MBA)
Neurophys
Neurophys is developing a mobile-based artificial intelligence (AI) rehabilitation application to digitize current neuro-rehabilitation practices and personalize therapy to help patients recover, improve, and adapt to their conditions at home.
- University of Washington (Medicine, MBA, Chemistry, Computer Science and Engineering, Computer Science)
Polymer Pal
Polymer Pal is developing a device to reduce the number of corrective surgeries in people living with hydrocephalus by preventing shunt blockage, the main cause of mechanical shunt failure.
- University of Washington (Bioengineering)
PractIV
PractIV is working on a modular IV training arm that provides realistic, hands-on simulation of advanced patient conditions so healthcare providers can prepare for real-world challenges.
- University of Washington (Mechanical Engineering, Human Centered Design and Engineering)
ReviveHer
ReviveHer is developing a universal attachment for CPR manikins designed to revolutionize CPR training and promote gender equity in lifesaving interventions.
- University of Washington (Biochemistry, Human-Computer Interaction, Medicine)
Revyn Medical Technologies
Revyn Medical Technologies is developing medical technology for gynecological care that increases practitioner usability and device effectiveness, while also prioritizing patient comfort.
- University of Victoria (Biomedical Engineering, Engineering), University of Toronto (Aerospace Science)
Root Sense
Root Sense is developing a way for clinicians to address the need for rapid and reliable root canal cleanliness, so success rates increase and the reliance on clinician expertise is reduced.
- University of Washington (Bioengineering, Mechanical Engineering)
SoundCheck
SoundCheck is developing an app designed to assist clinics and address health inequality in low-income countries by ensuring the quality of ultrasound equipment for accurate cancer diagnoses.
- University of Washington (Bioengineering)
spectrAble
spectrAble is working on a personalized platform for children with autism to address sensory needs through data-driven and home care-based suggestions.
- University of Washington (Human-Computer Interaction, Information Management)
Vaccine Genie
Vaccine Genie is working on a universal vaccine record keeping digital app to provide individualized vaccine recommendations.
- University of Washington (Clinical Informatics), UW Bothell (Computer Science and Engineering), Bellevue College (Computer Science), Oregon State University (Business), Seattle University (Computer Science)
VenoSense
VenoSense is developing a device that combines advanced imaging and machine learning to detect early biomarkers of deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) automatically.
- University of Washington (Bioengineering)
VISTA
VISTA aims to revolutionize image-guided surgery through cutting-edge computer vision technology, to enhance precision, safety, and efficiency in surgical outcomes worldwide.
- University of Washington (Mechanical Engineering, Otolaryngology)
VitreaClear
VitreaClear is developing a non-invasive therapy to treat eye floaters, a common result of the natural aging process that impacts over 60% of individuals over the age of 60.
- University of Washington (Mechanical Engineering, Engineering)
2025 HIC Finalists (Withdrawn)
SureSip
SureSip is developing a discreet stir-stick that accurately and reliably tests beverages for multiple date-rape drugs.
- Oregon State University (Business Administration, Psychology, Organizational Leadership)
You can read the recap of last year’s challenge day and awards presentation also right here on the Buerk Center’s Medium Blog.
