NEWS

February 20, 2023

Baton Rouge Health-Tech Catalyst Announces 2023 Launchpad Innovation Pilot Awards

BATON ROUGE, LA — The Baton Rouge Health-Tech Catalyst, a Baton Rouge Health District project funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship – Build to Scale Program, announces the 2023 Launchpad Innovation Pilot Awards.  

The goal of the project is to promote and support collaboration between Health District member institutions, while sparking innovation between Baton Rouge Health District anchor institutions, technology and community innovators, and industry leaders. 2023 Launchpad Pilot Awards will provide up to $30,000 for Health District member institution investigators, providers, and employees.

“With the generous support of the EDA and in conjunction with our partners at BRAC and Pennington, we are excited to offer this opportunity for our Baton Rouge Health District member institutions,” said Dr. Steven Ceulemans, Baton Rouge Health District Executive Director. “This initiative will create a launchpad to strengthen innovation, increase a culture of health, and make Baton Rouge a destination for healthcare at the heart of a healthy and vibrant community.”

With funding from the EDA – Build to Scale Program, the Baton Rouge Health District established the Baton Rogue Health-Tech Catalyst in collaboration with the Baton Rouge Area Chamber (BRAC) and Pennington Biomedical Research Center.

The Launchpad Innovation Pilot Awards support collaborative proposals for novel approaches that further the Health District priorities of:

  • Healthy Place - to be a vibrant and accessible destination that promotes health living beyond the hospital walls.

  • Health Education and Workforce - to be a center for advanced education, clinical practice, and workforce development in healthcare.

  • Health Innovation and Research - provide a platform for innovation and research partnerships that improve health outcomes and contribute to care advancement through technology adoption and development.

  • Healthcare Coalition - to be a model for resource coordination to facilitate patient-centric, value-driven care.

The 2023 Launchpad Innovation Pilot Awards succeed a successful inaugural funding cycle which awarded three innovative projects with $30,000 each in May 2022 (May award winners listed below).

  • BRG Fit! Total Health and Wellbeing - Baton Rouge General, in partnership with EBR School System

  • Increasing Endometrial Cancer Awareness and Cure for Louisiana Women - Pennington Biomedical Research Center, in partnership with Our Lady of the Lake Hospital, Woman's & LSU Health Science Center - New Orleans

  • Palliative Care Program for Persons Living with Dementia - Pennington Biomedical Research Center, in partnership with Our Lady of the Lake Hospital

The 2023 Launchpad Request for Proposal will open on March 1, 2023, and will remain open until March 31, 2023, at 12:00 noon.  A virtual information session is scheduled for March 1 at 10:00 a.m. Registration is required and can be completed here. For more information and to access Launchpad materials, visit www.brhealthdistrict.com/launchpad.