Finalists announced from largest geographic pool of health-focused entrepreneurs
Startup Prize: Focus on Health is proud to announce the companies who will be competing at
this year’s Final Final, Startup Prize’s final event happening on August 24. Presented by Prize
Foundation and Louisiana Economic Development, Startup Prize is an entrepreneurial program
and competition based in Shreveport, LA, that is open to innovative early stage health and
medical startups from around the country. This year, this unique competition attracted the
largest and most diverse group of startups the competition has ever seen.
For 2024, Startup Prize hosted over 60 startups, achieving record-breaking numbers and
attracting innovators from twenty-three states across the country. With a FDA Track and a
Non-FDA Track competing for the coveted Startup Prize, this year’s eligible businesses included
medical and surgical devices, therapeutics, healthtech, health services, as well as
pharmaceutical research.
“The Startup Prize has become one of the required stops for health-focused entrepreneurs
which makes us incredibly proud to be able to bring this to our city” said Gregory Kallenberg,
Executive Director of the Prize Foundation and Founder of the Startup Prize. “We are excited to
host these incredibly bright women and men, and we look forward to helping them on their
journey to success.”
During the Startup Prize Finals, the five finalists will present their concepts to the Startup Prize
Investor-Judge panel and undergo rigorous questioning on the merits and feasibility of their
businesses. The most exciting aspect of the finals is that not only do members of the
Investor-Judge panel select the winners, they also have the ability to offer investment to any of
these final startups. A grand prize of $10,000 cash will be awarded to the winner of the FDA
Track and the winner of the NonFDA Track. The winners for each track will be announced at a
private awards brunch on August 25 that will be broadcasted live.
To learn more about Startup Prize: Focus on Health, visit lastartupprize.com.
Startup Prize: Focus on Health 2024 Finalists
FDA Track Finalists
Emboa Medical Inc (West Lafayette, IN)
Using nature-inspired design, Emboa Medical has developed a novel blood clot
extraction device to address the prevalent issue of stroke, the second leading cause of
death in the world.
Taurus Vascular (Houston, TX)
Taurus Vascular is a medical device company focused on improving long-term
outcomes for patients with aortic aneurysms. They are developing a safe, effective, and
minimally-invasive catheter-based technology that places a self-deploying stent to
reduce the risk and impact of endoleaks after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair
(EVAR).
NonFDA Track Finalists
AGED Diagnostics (Bethesda, MD)
AGED Diagnostics is using genomic innovation to develop the most accurate blood test
for liver disease. These tests will help physicians keep patients in the monitoring
program, reduce the financial burden for health insurers and improve patient outcomes
through early detection and intervention.
OrbDoc (Atlanta, GA)
OrbDoc has created OrbVoice, an AI-powered dictation application for clinicians, which
automatically generates comprehensive discharge summaries from doctors’
conversations and EHR data, enabling more quality time with patients and reducing
costly readmissions.
Veza Innovations (Clarksburg, MD)
Veza Innovations focuses on parent and child wellness and early childhood
development, providing options and versatility not yet available in today’s market. Their
first product is a sit-to-stand convertible high chair, developed with and endorsed by
pediatric specialists.
About Startup Prize
Established in 2014, Startup Prize is an entrepreneurial competition where innovative minds
from Northwest Louisiana and across the country compete for $10,000 cash prize plus
opportunities for investment. This unique and intimate competition is nationally recognized as a
testing ground for entrepreneurs, and an opportunity for startups to find business advice, mentor
expertise and investment dollars. In 2021, the competition honed its focus to health and medical
startups. With over 450 companies and 800 entrepreneurs since its inaugural year, Startup
Prize is the largest entrepreneurial gathering in Northwest Louisiana.
About the Prize Foundation
The Prize Foundation is an award-winning nationally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit
organization and festival based in Shreveport, LA. Founded in 2012, the Prize Foundation’s
mission is to promote economic growth, workforce development, youth job training, creative
class entrepreneurial buildout and increased tourism through education, entrepreneurship,
conferences, contests and festivals in Shreveport and Northwest Louisiana. The Prize
Foundation operates six major initiatives year-round: Film Prize, Film Prize Junior, Startup Prize,
Food Prize, Music Prize, and Fashion Prize. Each Prize has a qualification process,
engagement with economic and cultural resources, and an educational component.