The program will feature live pitches and is an opportunity to witness the future of technology as startups showcase their cutting-edge solutions in medical technology.

It's also an opportunity to engage in thought-provoking conversations with industry leaders about the latest trends and the future of innovation.

The startups have spent the last several months in an intensive accelerator program, working closely with our network of mentors, corporate partners, and investors to scale their businesses rapidly.

The startups selected for participation include:

• AGelity Biomechanics
• AlgoSurg
• ATRO Medical
• Endeavor Orthopaedics
• Hyprevention
• LifeAmore (successor LifeVoxel)
• Nexilis AG
• OrthoPreserve
• PathKeeper Surgical
• Sonogen Medical
• TYBR Health

These startups provide a wide array of innovative solutions within the healthcare sector, including pre- and intra-operative planning, early intervention, and next-generation implant technology. Their solutions will limit complications, enhance treatment efficacy, and promote provider efficiency.

To register to attend, click here.

The post Plug and Play Medtech returns for third expo Sept. 9 in Winona Lake appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw

WARSAW — The following is a recap of top stories that stood out in 2024 in Kosciusko County.

Downtown growth

Downtown Warsaw saw a banner year with a large number of new stores opening, providing a more diverse selection of options for downtown shoppers. As a result, the number of storefront vacancies now hovers near zero — an impressive fete for any small downtown.

At the same time, Fellowship Missions opened the Gathering Place and LITE and Generous Coffee agreed to share space along Center Street.

Orthopedic retention money

Local leaders began developing a plan on how to use $30 million in money directed by the state legislature to help boost job retention in the orthopedic industry. The program is formally known as the Orthopedic Industry Retention Initiative (OIRI) and is overseen by OrthoWorx. Among the first projects to see movement is a plan for an orthopedic innovation center with a partnership involving Grace College. Talks are also underway for a future city-county parking garage in Warsaw. Nine other projects have been outlined.

Overdose deaths

The number of deaths resulting in overdoses in Kosciusko County fell significantly in the past year. Officials attribute that to the availability of Narcan and an array of community programs and educational efforts.

Grace College

A $27 million grant from Lilly Endowment was awarded to Grace College. The grant represents the largest donation in school history and will provide partial support for a larger collaborative project involving a series of initiatives in Warsaw and Winona Lake. Also this year, the college announced plans for a new $2 million welcome center that will transform much of Westminster Hall.

Winona Lake

Winona Lake Town Council revamped how the Miller Sunset Pavilion is managed in hopes of whittling down a large debt from its construction. Meanwhile, Gov. Eric Holcomb honored retiring town manager Craig Allebach with the Sagamore of the Wabash after Allebach announced plans to retire.

County leadership

Retirements and the 2024 election helped reshape Kosciusko County leadership. Sue Ann Mitchell moves over from county council to the board of commissioners, replacing longtime commissioner Brad Jackson. Council added two new faces — both Republicans — with the election of Rachael Rhoades and Delynn Geiger. Meanwhile, Allysa Schmucker was appointed county auditor by a GOP caucus after Rhonda Helser stepped down.

Sheriff's program

Sheriff Jim Smith established a Community Recovery Program focused on helping inmates prepare for life after incarceration. The program relies heavily on grants and community resources. Shanna Wallen was named resource navigator and the program is expected to evolve in 2025.

YMCA

Kosciusko Community YMCA had a busy year as it opened a new facility near downtown Warsaw that offers 24/7 access. It also worked to establish two programs addressing the need for more childcare in the community.

Orthopedics

Zimmer Biomet is now the home for a MedTech venture program via Plug and Play, an internationally recognized developer of innovative start-ups. Officials hope that a few of those businesses will eventually consider taking root in Warsaw. On an unrelated note, Johnson & Johnson quietly ditched the name Depuy Synthes in favor of Johnson & Johnson, thereby eliminating any direct reference to the first orthopedic company in the world.

Warsaw Football

Coach Bart Curtis led Warsaw’s high school football team on a historic playoff run as the Tigers knocked off the top three 5A teams in the state before losing in the championship game against Decatur Central.

Other stories worth mentioning ...

• The closing of Big Lots and Workout Anytime put a dent in the momentum to revitalize Market Place of Warsaw, which saw a tremendous rebound after new owners took over the shopping center in 2022. On the bright side, Bealls moved into the shopping center and a new retailer is expected to fill the vacancy in the Big Lots property in early 2025.
• Construction of an overpass is expected to improve traffic flow north of Milford and could lead to new development along the county road east toward Syracuse.
• A lack of transparency was highlighted in a state audit that showed the town of Syracuse has been reimbursing health insurance premiums outside the town group health plan. InkFreeNews reported the Indiana State Board of Accounts determined current and former town council members along with several former town employees owe the town about $503,529. The town council contends the practice is permissible under state law.

The post Ten issues that stood out in 2024 in Kosciusko County appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

WINONA LAKE — Plug and Play Warsaw put on a display of innovative proposals by seven start-ups Tuesday that are seeking to establish themselves in the evolving med tech sector.

Held at the Miller Sunset Pavilion in Winona Lake with a large crowd in attendance, the expo was a unique glimpse into what possibly lies ahead in the industry.

(Check out recaps of proposals at the bottom of the story)

Plug and Play is the premier global innovation platform that connects startups with corporations, universities and venture capital firms.

Tuesday’s event highlighted the first such batch of firms participating in the new Plug and Play office in Indiana which was sponsored by Zimmer Biomet, Paragon Medical and Orthopediatrics.

"It's a big day for Warsaw for sure," said Bob Vitoux, chief executive officer of OrthoWorx who was credited at the meeting with helping bring Plug and Play to Warsaw. 

"It's symbolic of where we're headed as a community — just a lot of energy. We believe winning begets winning and this is a step in that direction," Votoux said.

Vitoux spoke to the audience and alluded to the $30 million set aside by the Indiana General Assembly for Orthoworx to attract and retain orthopedic firms to the area and told onlookers there are "30 million reasons" to consider Warsaw as a corporate home.

Seven of eight startups that were part of the first "Medtech Batch" highlighted a variety of concepts, with most looking for infusions of money and — for some — to eventually be acquired by an established orthopedic firm.

The emerging companies pitched proposals ranging from imaging collection to the tracking of medical history. Some relied on artificial intelligence. Two companies focused on solutions for damaged cartilage while another put forth a plan to develop a smart implant device that is adjustable.

Indiana State government was represented at the meeting by David Watkins, senior vice president of Entrepreneurship & Small Business with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.

Plug and Play in Warsaw is the first in Indiana, but officials said more such sites are in the works for eight other communities. Those will focus on life sciences, hard tech, sports tech and animal health, according to a graphic displayed at the event.

Plug and Play in Warsaw established itself six months ago and Watkins described the interest since then as a "barn burner."

Given the history of orthopedics in Warsaw, Watkins asked rhetorically, 'Why wouldn't Plug and Play want to be here?"

Officials concede many of the startups will eventually look elsewhere to establish their companies, but local officials, including State Rep. Craig Snow, hope firms will consider sinking their roots into the Orthopedic Capital of the World.

"I think that's the goal. We really want to build out an ecosystem, have companies come in, entrepreneurially to start up here and more importantly to stay here," Snow said.

Another highlight of the meeting was a speech by Ben Lytle, a former CEO of Anthem who has authored the book, The Potentialist, which looks at life-altering changes in the next 30 years.

After hearing pitches on Tuesday, officials will gather in a more private setting on Wednesday to meet with the next nine companies seeking to be part of the Plug and Play.

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Below are recaps from seven of the eight participating startups.

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The post Plug and Play showcases innovative proposals in Winona Lake appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

WARSAW — Local leaders are still buzzing about the impact of having a Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm opening an office at Zimmer Biomet’s world headquarters.

The post Plug and Play potential: New investment could benefit economy quickly appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

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Zimmer Biomet President and CEO Ivan Tornos said the collaboration is an attempt to make Warsaw "the boldest city in medtech."

Plug and Play Indiana was initially announced in January and is already attracting entrepreneurs  to Warsaw, including some who were in attendance at Wednesday’s announcement and who were already scheduled to begin pitching ideas.

Amidi said he believes about half of the startups will come from the Warsaw area or the state and the rest would come from elsewhere at the company's direction.

Plug and Play will seek to bring in dozens of such startups annually.

Tornos said news that Plug and Play would be coming to Warsaw has generated interest from around the world in recent weeks.

"Even from my home country in Spain, I'm getting emails directly from different startups  in Europe that want to be part of the ecosystem ... it's got a lot of potential very quickly."

Startups showing interest include Alberta, Canada, and Warsaw, Poland, according to Amidi.

Tornos spoke about what makes Warsaw so special.

"I've done business literally all over the world (and it's) hard to find a place like this county or this state where you have all of the basic ingredients," Tornos said.

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The post Plug and Play, Zimmer Biomet seek to make Warsaw the medtech capital appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

WARSAW — Three months ago, PeekMed, a firm from Portugal that wants to expand its interests in orthopedics, announced it would have an office inside the shared space provided by Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation in downtown Warsaw.

On Monday, Warsaw’s redevelopment commission agreed to cover the $300 monthly rent for PeekMed for a year.

Talk of assisting the company’s efforts to set up shop had never been previously discussed in public.

PeekMed seeks to integrate its expertise in AI into orthopedics and redevelopment officials supported the rent proposal at Monday's meeting.

The proposal was pitched to the commission by Jeremy Skinner, director of community & economic development.

"I think it's interesting to note that this company is coming to the United States to the Orthopedic Capital of the world from Portugal," said commission member Michael Klondaris.

Former Mayor Joe Thallamer, who now sits on the redevelopment commission, also supported the idea, adding, "With the types of jobs and industry that the Plug and Play, (and) the med tech accelerators, this is exactly what they're looking at."

The post City of Warsaw agrees to cover PeekMed rent at KEDCO for a year appeared first on News Now Warsaw.