Launchpad innovation pilot project awards

The Baton Rouge Health-Tech Catalyst program is excited to host the 2023 Launchpad Innovation Pilot Awards. This funding looks to advance local community-based proof of concept demonstration (demo) projects submitted by local innovative clinicians, engineers, inventors, scientists, and other local innovation contributors who submit their application in conjunction with a letter of support from one of the BRHD’s member institutions.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Launchpad Pitch Night on May 9th! The Launchpad Pitch Night Event represents the culmination of the Baton Rouge Health-Tech Catalyst pilot grant funding opportunity. At this year’s pitch night, a total of five applicant finalists presented a range of ideas in a pitch-style competition, and three projects were selected for funding (award winners listed below). The 2023 Pitch Night Event represents the second round of Launchpad funding, which now cumulatively supports six total pilot projects across its 2 funding cycles for a total investment of $150,000.

Congratulations to the 2023 Launchpad Innovation Grant Winners

  • Developing Multicellular Organoid for Precision Therapy – Dr. Beverly Ogden, Woman’s Hospital and Dr. Joseph Francis, Louisiana State University – School of Veterinary Medicine

  • Non-Invasive Treatment of Uterine Fibroids – Dr. Frank Greenway, Pennington Biomedical Research Center and Dr. Beverly Ogden, Woman’s Hospital in partnership with Louisiana State University, and University of Louisiana Lafayette

  • Reconceptualizing How the Most Seriously Ill Patients Experience the ED – Dr. Mark Kantrow, Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center and Dr. Nathan Freeman, Ochsner Health System in partnership with Baton Rouge General

This year’s Launchpad awards join a portfolio of active, previously funded innovation pilot projects which include:

  • 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

If you have questions about Launchpad please contact Kate King at kai986@brhealthdistrict.com or 225-763-2919