Six innovative projects in paediatric health start their acceleration with Impact4kids

The pediatric innovation hub i4KIDS, coordinated by Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona Children’s Hospital, have announced the six projects selected for the first edition of the Impact4kids acceleration program. This initiative is conducted in collaboration with Impact1 at Stanford Mussallem Center for Biodesign, 

This transatlantic collaboration aims to boost innovative and disruptive solutions in fetal, pediatric, and maternal health through a training and mentorship program that will provide access to expert knowledge, clinical validation, and market entry strategies in Europe and the United States. Additionally, it will strengthen international alliances to bring new solutions to pediatric patients and their families. 

The Six Selected Projects 

The Impact4kids acceleration program, announced at the i4KIDS Pediatric Innovation Day in Barcelona last November, received a total of 73 proposals from startups, research centers, and emerging companies in the United States (44%) and Europe (56%). 

The submitted projects addressed needs in different areas: 75% focused on pediatric health, while 25% targeted maternal health. In terms of innovation type, 61% were medical devices, followed by digital health (36%) and biotechnology (3%). Another remarkable aspect was the maturity level of the proposals received: 29% were at TRL 4, meaning the solution had already been validated in a laboratory setting. 

After a rigorous evaluation process, the six selected projects for this first edition are: 

• JelikaLite (New York, United States): A neuromodulation platform combining non-invasive transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) therapy with AI-driven personalization to enhance speech, responsiveness and socialization in patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) 

• AVaTAR MedTech (Delaware, United States): A reconstructive surgical technique for pediatric semilunar valve reconstruction using autologous pericardium and specialized tools to standardize the procedure. Its growth-adaptative valve design eliminates repeat surgeries, reducing complications and improving long-term patient outcomes. 

• NoviGuide (Albany, United States): A clinical decision-support platform that converts static pediatric medical protocols into dynamic, real-time tools for evidence-based, unbiased care. This solution targets the most common pediatric diagnostic errors, providing point-of-care guidance while enhancing clinical documentation. 

• PolyCoarct (Barcelona, Spain): A polymeric stent for pediatric transcatheter implantation, providing adaptive vascular support that grows with arteries and fosters remodeling. 

• Bitsphi Diagnosis (Madrid, Spain): An EEG-based Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS) for ADHD diagnosis, utilizing brain connectivity biomarkers to enhance accuracy and efficiency. The solution leverages cloud-based AI analysis to classify patients, providing objective diagnostic support for healthcare providers 
• CergenX (Cork, Ireland): An AI-powered neonatal EEG that detects brain injuries in newborns with expert-level precision in just minutes. Using a cloud-based AI platform, it analyzes EEG patterns and provides a rapid result.

Bitsphi Diagnosis team

PolyCoarct team

Impact4kids: A Global Impact Acceleration Program 

The program offers the selected projects an intensive six-month mentorship experience, structured in training sessions and personalized guidance, led by specialized teams from i4KIDS and Impact1, along with renowned experts from Europe and the United States. Key benefits include: 

• Guidance on clinical validation, market access, and regulatory processes in the US and Europe. 

• Mentorship from experts in intellectual property, business models, and financing. 

• Exclusive networking access to investors, industry leaders, and key stakeholders in the health sector. 

• Immersion strategies in innovation ecosystems in both Europe and the United States. 

“The remarkable reception of Impact4kids and the diversity of projects submitted highlight the growing need for innovative solutions in fetal, pediatric, and maternal health. This program is a unique opportunity to accelerate their development and market entry, aiming for real impact in the lives of patients and families,” said Arnau Valls, Director of i4KIDS and Innovation Coordinator at Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona Children’s Hospital. 

Meanwhile, Janene Fuerch, co-director at Impact1 at Stanford Biodesign, stated: “While this is beginning as a small pilot, it is clear by the large number of outstanding submissions that the pediatric and maternal health technology community needs this type of collaborative partnership to advance children’s and maternal health around the globe. We are thrilled to work with these dedicated innovators. And likewise, we want to stay in touch to see how we can also help those that didn’t make the cut. It is our intention to continue to grow and nurture this community and continue to advance technologies towards patient care.” 

The Path to Acceleration: Next Steps 

The Impact4kids acceleration program will start in March 2025 and conclude in September 2025.  

The initiative not only aims to accelerate the development of the selected solutions but also to foster an international innovation network between Europe and the United States, promoting knowledge transfer and collaboration among startups, hospitals, research centers, and industry leaders.