PDC Accelerator Funding

The UCSF-Stanford PDC Accelerator, our direct funding program, is offered once annually, participants selected through a Pitch competition in March and participation running April to March (one year) for accepted applicants. The Accelerator is open to any promising pediatric device idea or project that, if accepted, is willing to invest the necessary time to work with the PDC, our advisors, and our mentors to develop their idea into a marketable product. Projects at any stage of development are encouraged to apply, with no restriction as to therapeutic area.

In addition to up to $100,000 in funding (thanks to support from FDA and other matching funds), the award involves mentoring, advising, and subsequent tracking of project progress, including regular progress and spending updates. The program is restricted to U.S.-based applicants.

Accepted projects considered by the PDC and its advisors to be commercially viable will receive a grant of up to $100,000 along with commercialization services as appropriate to the project’s stage and needs, including but not limited to:

• Value estimate coaching

• Product development planning

• Regulatory strategy

• Reimbursement planning

• Business planning  

• Commercialization strategy

Typically these services will be accomplished through 1-3 meetings with the respective PDC advisor over the course of the year. All projects will have check-in calls with the PDC at least quarterly to maintain momentum and ensure coordination of services.

Eligibility

• The program is open to academic, business, or independent startups with a promising pediatric device idea at any stage of development that, if accepted, is willing to invest the necessary time to work with the UCSF-Stanford PDC and its advisors to develop their idea into a marketable product. Selected finalists must be available to present at our pitch competition on Friday March 22, 2024.

• The device must meet the FDA definition of a medical device and must be intended for use in the pediatric population (birth to 21).

• Applicants must be based in the United States.

Review Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated on the following:

• Unmet clinical need

• Technical feasibility

• Value proposition

• Customer understanding

• Project team

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• How many hours per week will Accelerator participation entail? There is no pre-set schedule for Accelerator activities, and meetings can be scheduled at the mutual convenience of the team and advisor. Teams will come up with a development plan and schedule with assistance from the PDC. The amount of time required per week is dictated by the individual project’s development needs and stage, and varies widely.

• Do we need to move to the Bay Area to participate in the PDC Accelerator? No, acceptance into the PDC Accelerator does not come with space or involve residency. All assistance through the PDC Accelerator can be accomplished virtually, although in-person meetings are encouraged whenever possible.

• Does the PDC take equity in exchange for its assistance? No, the PDC takes no equity stake in its Accelerator projects. All assistance is provided under the auspices of the PDC’s FDA grant award, P50FD006424. 

• What other expectations come with Accelerator participation? Teams are required to provide quarterly progress updates to the PDC. In addition, teams must remain committed to developing and marketing their product for a pediatric indication. If this focus changes, the PDC reserves the right to stop funding/assistance.