Hearing implant device takes out the top prize for MTGT 2021!

Hemideina, a Victorian startup commercialising an internalised hearing device, has taken out the $40,000 top prize in STC Australia’s 3rd cohort of MedTech’s Got Talent. Elizabeth Williams and Kate Lomas from Hemideina are out to change the world with the first major innovation to the cochlear implant in decades, achieving internalisation that dramatically improves patient quality of life.

From over 100 applications, Hemideina emerged as the overall most investible team after a series of elimination rounds, including $20,000 (non-dilutive) funding and a place in our intensive 6-week accelerator program. The program culminated in an Investor Deal Pitch, where a panel of seasoned seed-stage investors selected Hemideina to receive an additional $40,000 (non-dilutive) in prize money to drive their project towards commercialisation.

Spun out of research at the University of Auckland, Hemideina is disrupting the $1.8bn cochlear implant market with their fully internalised, 2-component cochlear implant. By internalising the hearing device, Hemideina will remove existing lifestyle restrictions, and aim to produce a lower cost cochlear implant. Making waves in sound, this startup is set to enter clinical testing soon.

Minister Dalidakis said “Medtech’s Got Talent is an innovative event showcasing the very best of Victoria’s growing medtech sector. Congratulations to all the companies that took part and Hemideina on their victory.”

MedTech’s Got Talent was primarily supported by the Victorian Government through the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources. Further sponsors of the initiative were the Australian Government (Department of Industry, Innovation, and Science), MTP Connect, Medtronic, MiniFAB, and Johnson & Johnson.