This year’s edition of the Innovation Tank took place as a special edition webinar. Eleven start-ups from around the world were selected to present their innovative products to a jury of top physicians and industry specialists. Meet the TOP 3 companies that amazed the crowd and jury this year!

HAIRSTETICS Wins 1st Place
The “Innovation of the Year” Award

HAIRSTETICS technology is based on sterile cartridges, each is preloaded with 25/12 synthetic hair implants, that are easily implanted simultaneously. HAIRSTETICS implants have both the anatomical size and the appearance of the natural hairs, and are made of highly biocompatible materials (which are commonly used by surgeons and interventional cardiologists). We have already launched our product in Israel. We recently received a medical CE certification and started initial sales in Paris and France. Once the COVID-19 saga is over, we aim to expand our sales to other EU countries and additional worldwide territories.

LATTICE MEDICAL Takes 2nd Place
The “Promising Start-up” Award

LATTICE MEDICAL is developing MATTISSE, a fully degradable 3D printed breast implant for autologous adipose tissue regeneration for a breast reconstruction in a single and simple surgery. Actually, LATTICE MEDICAL is at preclinical stage and succeed in key milestones prior to first-in-human with strong preclinical performance, shown in multiple peer-reviewed articles and communication in front of medical community. We expect to start the first-in-human in 2022 for a commercialisation late 2024.

VERADERMICS Gets 3rd Place
The “Promising Start-up” Award

VERMADERMICS’ product, WartPatch, is the first pain-free cure for warts with built-in compliance. WartPatch stimulates the immune system to fight off warts. It combines two established principles: immunotherapy and painless microneedle patch technology. WartPatch is the best option for kids with warts because it’s: (1) painless/not scary; (2) easy to use; (3) doesn’t require frequent applications by parents/children; (4) utilizes a highly effective and safe medication that cannot consistently be used in children without this technology; (5) doesn’t scar; and (6) can be prescribed during a telehealth visit. VeraDermics is currently refining the WartPatch formulation with plans to enter clinical trials in mid-2022.

This year was the first digital edition of Innovation Tank. How was your experience?

Dvir Keren of HAIRSTETICS (DK): I was very impressed by the well-organized digital conference. The preliminary arrangements (your detailed guiding emails and all the communicating check-outs) plus the on-going support led to professional discussion which was free from any technical problems.

Julien Payen of LATTICE MEDICAL (JP): Honestly, I was less stressed with digital edition than a physical one. One interest is the possibility to gather more people and increase your audience during such an event. My experience was great, the IMCAS team and the jury animated perfectly the session, it was really dynamic! It’s also nice to talk with people after a physical event and this is something you cannot do digitally.

Reid Waldman of VERADERMICS (RW): Innovation Tank was very enjoyable. Despite being digital, the Q&A and discussion felt as though we were in-person. I would strongly encourage other entrepreneurs to participate in the future.

Did your participation bring about more interest from the public?

DK: Yes! Following our participation, we were approached by a variety of professional entities from the aesthetics market.

JP: It was great to win this prize and we are really grateful to IMCAS and the jury for that. We were congratulated by our community on our social networks. We were contacted by investors after our presentation, since we are actually looking to raise a series A for the clinical trials and CE Mark, it’s a great opportunity.

RW: So far, we have not made any contacts from Innovation Tank; however, it is always helpful to create brand awareness.

Do you have any personal tips to win over the jury for the next edition contestants?

DK: I was impressed by the knowledgeable forum of juries. My tip is to address their inquiries in most direct approach.

JP: My recommendations are to be honest, deliver a strong message without excess. Believe in your company and your product and think out of the box to show your innovation.

RW: Text heavy slides are not conducive for a digital format. Each slide should use images to highlight a single point.

What was “fun” when you were presenting? And what was challenging?

DK: It is a both fun and exciting to present my product to a highly professional forum and have their feedback. Yet it was challenging to address the variety of their professional inquiries in a very limited time.

JP: One common point was gathering all start-ups in the contest: Dermatology, Plastic & Esthetic Surgery. However, I was really impressed by the diversity and applications focused by challengers. I was the last to speak and honestly, when you are after such excellent presentation, and with my “French accent”, I was totally scared! But, we did it.

RW: Q&A is always both fun and challenging simultaneously. Having industry leaders ask questions helps frame how people ‘in the know’ relate to your product.