About Medtronic
and MD Start

As a global leader in medical device innovation, Medtronic is committed to bringing the best technologies to market to improve the lives of patients worldwide.

In addition to our extensive internal resources and competencies in research, development, engineering, and commercial excellence, Medtronic has now joined forces with other partners in Europe to co-launch MD Start. MD Start is an independent entity, and is an exciting channel to complement Medtronic’s internal invention evaluation and development process, by giving inventors an additional avenue to develop and accelerate innovative medical device concepts. Medtronic is a co-founder and minority shareholder of the MD Start.

Medtronic and MD Start are separate legal entities and operate independently. Medtronic makes no representation on behalf of MD Start. Any relationship between you and MD Start will be subject to MD Start's terms and policies.

About Medtronic Inc.

Medtronic (www.medtronic.com) is the global leader in medical technology- alleviating pain, restoring health, and extending life for people with chronic conditions around the world. Medtronic develops and manufactures a wide range of products and therapies with emphasis on providing a complete continuum of care to diagnose, prevent and monitor chronic conditions. Each year, Medtronic therapies help more than seven million people.

Company Profile

Medtronic was founded in 1949 as a medical equipment repair company by Earl Bakken and his brother-in-law, Palmer Hermundslie. Today, we’re the world’s largest independent medical technology company. We employ 38,000 people worldwide — serving physicians, clinicians, and patients in more than 120 countries.

Primary Products include those for:

Heart and vascular disease
Neurological disorders and chronic pain
Spinal and musculoskeletal disorders
Diabetes
Urologic and digestive disorders
Ear, nose, and throat disorders
Surgical navigation

Core Technologies

More than 9,000 scientists and engineers worldwide are dedicated to researching, improving, and expanding these core technologies:

Sensors
Electrical stimulation
Mechanical devices
Drug and biologics delivery
Diagnostics and remote monitoring
Imaging and navigation
Power systems and controls
Microcircuit and software systems

About MD Start

MD Start (www.MDStart.eu) is an independent, European-based incubator, founded in 2009 to accelerate the development of revolutionary medical device technology ideas in Europe to create entities ready for future financing or licensing. MD Start offers inventors an opportunity to transform their medical technology ideas into reality, through the investment of engineering, legal, and commercial expertise.

As one of the first corporate and venture capital backed Accelerators in Europe focused on medical devices, MD Start aims to leverage the competencies of its partners to bring ideas that pass the initial screening process, through proof of concept, to new company incorporation and preparation for external funding.

MD Start is financially backed by its founders, Paris-based independent Venture Capital firm Sofinnova Partners (www.sofinnova.fr) and Medtronic and is supported by its partners, European-based contract medical device manufacturing specialists.

MD Start is located at the Science Park on the EPFL campus, which is home to about 100 high-tech start-ups and enterprises, and numerous investors. The Park's programs and services serve to stimulate the links between EPFL research labs and business.