AAPM Innovation Ecosystem
We believe innovation and technology are key to advancing healthcare, improving outcomes, and progressing pain medicine. The AAPM Innovation Ecosystem is a community of clinicians, engineers, entrepreneurs, investors, and scientists fostering innovation, building relationships, and supporting startups to push the field forward. As pain medicine rapidly evolves, our Ecosystem aims to lead discussions on effective, innovative treatments.
About the Innovation Challenge
The Innovation Challenge invites innovators worldwide, from pre-seed to Series A companies, to present revolutionary solutions in fields like pain management, nutrition, and sleep medicine. This annual “Shark Tank”-style pitch competition, hosted by the American Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM) in collaboration with MIT Hacking Medicine, aims to improve the lives of individuals living with pain.
Finalists will pitch their ideas to an audience of patients, providers, and industry leaders, competing for prizes, mentorship, and valuable exposure. Founding Sponsors Abbott and Saluda Medical are at the forefront of neuromodulation and digital health, making this event a highlight in the pain medicine arena.
The next Innovation Challenge is March 7, 2026, in Salt Lake City, UT, at the Grand American Hotel.
Who Should Pitch?
This event is open to all innovators worldwide, not just AAPM members, who are working to help patients and providers address pain-related issues. We encourage anyone with an idea or an established startup to submit their proposals, including students, residents, fellows, clinical and research faculty, engineers, designers, developers, business leaders, and patients.
Judging Criteria Includes
- Potential for Impact (25%)
- Design and Usability (25%)
- Solution Feasibility (25%)
- Creativity and Innovation (25%)
Past Innovation Challenge Sponsors
2025
- Abbott
- Averitas Pharma
- Tris Pharma
- OxiWear
- EnableHealth LLC
- Orrick
2024
- Abbott
- Saluda Medical
- EnableHealth LLC
2023
- Abbott
- Saluda Medical
2022
- Abbott
Hacking Pain Hack-a-thon
Hacking Pain is PainConnect’s inaugural global
hack-a-thon, held alongside the AAPM Annual Meeting. Over the course of this dynamic three-day event, innovators from healthcare, technology, engineering, entrepreneurship, and patient advocacy come together to craft practical solutions that address real challenges in pain care.
What Makes It Unique
- Cross-disciplinary Teams: Participants—from students to seasoned professionals, form agile, diverse groups that bring fresh perspectives to pain management issues.
- Mentorship at Every Step: Throughout the hackathon, teams benefit from clinical and industry mentors, who help them refine their ideas, test their viability, and sharpen their presentations.
- High‑Impact Presentations: Finalists present their innovations to a panel of judges, including patients, providers, and industry leaders. Top projects may even be showcased at PainConnect’s Innovation Challenge, presented by AAPM and MIT Hacking Medicine.
The focus for 2025 was on health equity and access to pain care. Participants were challenged to develop solutions that bridge disparities, improving access to pain care for underserved groups, including Medicare/Medicaid recipients, individuals with disabilities, and rural or low-income communities.
Why It Matters
- Real-World Impact: Solutions born here aim to improve patient care and expand access to equitable pain management.
- Networking & Growth: An unmatched opportunity to connect with clinicians, innovators, investors, and thought leaders in pain medicine innovation.
From left to right: AAPM Past Presidents Kayode Williams, MD, and Michael Hooten, MD, with Innovation Challenge Co-Chairs Salman Hirani, MD, and Brian Mayrsohn, MD.
Join Our Innovation Community
Innovation is driving the future of pain medicine. Whether you’re a clinician, researcher, entrepreneur, or student, AAPM provides opportunities to collaborate, test ideas, and bring solutions to life through programs like the Innovation Challenge and Hacking Pain Hack-a-thon. Join our innovation community and help shape what comes next.