Do you have an idea that could change the field of infectious diseases and improve patient care? Applications are now open for the 2021 IDea Incubator hosted by the IDSA Foundation in collaboration with Johnson and Johnson Innovation – JLABS.

The 2021 IDea Incubator will take place Tuesday, September 28th @ 5-6PM ET, during the virtual IDWeek conference, and is open to innovators across all fields from infectious disease professionals to entrepreneurs. IDea Incubator provides the opportunity for you to present your idea in front of the ID community; receive valuable feedback from our panel of judges in the business, technology and medicine industries; and be awarded up to $10,000 in funding.

New this year, up to three IDea Incubator applicants may be selected for BLUE KNIGHT™ residency through JLABS.

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competition rules

• The IDSA Foundation, its affiliates, and sponsors are not responsible for any intellectual property submitted and/or presented at any time for its IDea Incubator program during IDWeek 2021. Any individual, group, organization, or company is solely responsible for securing intellectual property protection. Learn how to secure your intellectual property by reviewing our resources below.
• IDea Incubator applicants are not required to be registered for IDWeek. Finalists are required to register for IDWeek once they have accepted to participate in the Live IDea Incubator session. This includes scientific attendees, exhibitors, invited speakers, and guests.
• Applications will be reviewed after the application cut-off date. An incomplete application will be disqualified. See the Important Dates.
•  Accepted presenters will be notified by the week of August 16, 2021. This information will include the presenter(s) rehearsal and presentation times. If accepted, but unable to present, then a 30-day notice is required.
•  Presentations will be up to 5 minutes in length, followed by a 5-minute-long question and answer period be the judges.
• A winning idea will be chosen by the judges. Cash prizes will be awarded to all finalists. 1st place will receive $10,000, 2nd place will receive $5,000, 3rd place will receive $2,500.
• New this year, up to three IDea Incubator applicants may be selected for BLUE KNIGHT™ residency through JLABS, either at select physical JLABS locations or virtually*. Applicants selected for BLUE KNIGHT™ residency may differ from IDea Incubator finalists.
  • Through Blue Knight, JLABS is collaborating with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), a component of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, to spur innovation in mutual areas of interest.
• Companies selected for Blue Knight may have access to unique benefits including fee assistance, access to JLABS space, dedicated mentorship from BARDA and the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies, and dedicated equipment at select JLABS locations.
• * Subject to the execution of an Award agreement with JJI and other agreements as are necessary and required for residency at a JLABS or a JLABS Virtual Agreement to become part of the JLABS and Blue Knight networks.

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JUDGEMENT CRITERIA

• The statement of problem/unmet need is well defined and articulated (scale of the problem, quantified number of patients, money spent on healthcare costs, societal costs).
• The target population is clearly defined and quantified.
• The innovation has the potential to solve the problem/meet the needs of the target population. The solution is economically viable (i.e. won’t be too expensive to be inaccessible).
• The expected health impact is reasonably estimated. The solution to the problem is novel and innovative.

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IMPORTANT DATES

• Applications Open: Tuesday, May 4, 2021
• Applications Close (now extended!):
  Wednesday, July 28, 2021  
• Applicants and Finalists Notified: Week of August 16, 2021:  
• LIVE 2021 IDea Incubator Competition (Virtual): Tuesday, September 28th @ 5-6PM ET

SECURING YOUR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

The following articles may assist with securing intellectual property. Many other sources are available on the internet:

• “How to Protect Your Product or Idea When Pitching It to a Company.” The Wall Street Journal, 3 September 2008, http://guides.wsj.com/small-business/running-a-business/how-to-protect-your-product-or-idea-when-pitching-it-to-a-company/
• Fitzsimmons, Kelly. “10 Ways to Protect Your Intellectual Property.” Inc., 19 September 2012, https://www.inc.com/kelly-fitzsimmons/ten-ways-to-protect-your-intellectual-property.html

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