Buzz builds as Dublin hosts Innovation in Medtech conference

At an event in Dublin this week, more than 50 medtech start-ups will pitch for funding from venture capital firms with more than €13 billion in funds under management.

The Innovation in Medtech conference will bring together venture capital firms seeking new opportunities to invest in Ireland’s burgeoning medtech sector, with emerging start-ups seeking investment and partnership.

Companies including Johnson & Johnson, Medtronics and Baxter will also be in attendance.

Aidan Meagher, head of life sciences at EY, says the number of medtech companies in Ireland has grown from 250 to 400 over the last three years.

“To continue on this growth trajectory, it is essential that we continue to nurture high potential start-ups and give them the opportunity to grow their business from lightbulb moment through to a successful exit or IPO,” he says.

“The fact that this year’s conference has attracted business leaders and innovators in medtech of the highest calibre from around the world is a further reflection of the excitement around Ireland’s blossoming medtech sector.”

Peter Sandys, managing partner of Dublin-based venture capital firm Seroba Life Sciences, will be one of the many investors attending. "When we first invited this global conference to Dublin back in 2013, we were impressed by the wealth of talent and expertise that it attracted, not only by the calibre of presenting start-ups, but also by the global venture capitalists who flocked here to meet them," he says.

Irish medtech companies such as X-Bolt Orthopaedics, Novate Medical and Mainstay Medical will pitch to VCs during the conference.

Speakers at the event will include New Enterprise Associates venture partner Stephen Oesterle, who will present on the future of medical technology, and EY partner Ben Perkins, who will present on shifting trends in medtech, including the changing capital-raising landscape and factors driving M&A activity and consolidation.

At the 2016 Global Medtech Innovator competition, which will be held over the course of the conference, medtech and digital health start-ups will compete to a panel of judges for the chance to win $250,000 in prizes.