MATTER Teams Up With a Local Consulting Firm for Medical Device Design Innovation

In the digital arena, an idea can go to market through the purchase of a domain, code, some more code, and the flip of a switch. However, in the HealthTech sector, bringing a product to commercialization is a more complex process, requiring refinement, testing, trials, and constant inspection. To hep navigate this rocky terrain, MATTER – the city’s new hub for next-generation health IT – has teamed up with Insight Product Development (ISP) – a Chicago-based design innovation consultancy.

Insight will work with MATTER’s medical device startup members on font-end innovation, technology development, prototyping, and new product scaling through quarterly workshops, one-on-one support sessions, and office hours. The entrepreneurs will leverage the firm’s expertise on a variety of disciplines, including research, strategy, engineering, design and development.

Explained MATTER’s CEO Steve Collens, “We’re proud to partner with Insight in our mission to accelerate innovation and entrepreneurship in healthcare technology. Insight’s history of successfully advancing innovation at some of the world’s leading companies makes them a valuable partner to us, and exposure to their expertise will afford our members a clear market advantage.”

On top of its flagship consulting services, Insight Product Development also launched Insight Accelerator Labs (ICL) in 2013, the first medical device accelerator in the Midwest. Through mentoring, product development assistance, grant application aid, and infrastructure support, ICL helps grow and sustain the health of Chicago’s HealthTech start-up ecosystem.

Both ISP and ICL will play a part in helping MATTER’s members take their ideas to market.

“MATTER’s dedication to fueling the future of healthcare innovation aligns well with our mission to improve lives by advancing meaningful technology toward commercialization, and we’re excited to play a central role in their community,” said Steve McPhilliamy, Director of Design at Insight Product Development, and Executive Director of Insight Accelerator Labs.

Launching in early 2015, MATTER is continuing to add startups to its roster.

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