Knoxville, TN – Winter Innovations, Inc. has been selected as a finalist for the MedTech Innovator’s 2025 Value Award, which recognizes startups that have excelled throughout the MedTech Innovator program in defining, refining, and generating evidence to support their value proposition. The Value Award serves as the final competition of the world’s largest accelerator for medical technology companies, highlighting ventures that demonstrate exceptional potential to deliver value to patients, providers, and healthcare systems worldwide.

In 2025, MedTech Innovator selected Winter Innovations as one of 64 cohort companies from nearly 1,500 global applicants, representing the top 4% of innovations worldwide. Through the program, Winter Innovations benefited from comprehensive mentorship, strategic guidance, and access to an unparalleled network of investors, providers, and strategics. This support enabled the company to advance commercialization of EasyWhip®, its patented and FDA-cleared two-part needle system that improves efficiency and biomechanical security in orthopedic soft-tissue surgery.

Acceptance into the MedTech Innovator program requires selection by strategic industry sponsors. Winter Innovations’ sponsors were Johnson & Johnson and Zimmer Biomet, who supported the company throughout its participation in the cohort. As part of the Value Award process, Winter Innovations collaborated closely with Mina Kabiri of Johnson & Johnson, who served as the company’s value coach. Together, they refined EasyWhip®’s value proposition, mapped key stakeholders, quantified the value delivered to each, and developed a roadmap for ongoing clinical and economic evidence generation.

“Being selected as a Value Award finalist is an incredible honor,” said Lia Winter, CEO and Co-Founder of Winter Innovations. “This recognition reflects not only the impact of EasyWhip® but also the guidance we’ve received from our sponsors and mentors throughout the MedTech Innovator program.” Preston Dishner, COO and Co-Founder, added, “We’re grateful to MedTech Innovator and our mentors for helping us strengthen the value and evidence strategies that will support broader adoption of EasyWhip®.”

The Value Award Finals will take place during the MedTech Strategist Innovation Summit in San Diego, CA, from November 19-21, 2025. Winter Innovations will be among five finalists pitching to a panel of industry experts and a live audience of innovators, investors, strategics, and healthcare leaders. The audience will vote in real time to select the winner of a $25,000 non-dilutive funding award.

About the MedTech Innovator: MedTech Innovator is the world’s largest accelerator of medical device, digital health, and diagnostic companies. Its mission is to improve human health by accelerating the growth of companies transforming patient care. MedTech Innovator has been a catalyst for groundbreaking healthcare solutions, sourcing nearly 14,000 applicants and fostering growth of over 800 graduates. Alumni have collectively raised $10+ billion in follow-on funding and introduced 500+ products to the market, improving the health of millions worldwide. For more information about MedTech Innovator, its annual programs, portfolio of industry leading startups, and insights into trends, visit their website, follow them on LinkedIn, and subscribe to their monthly newsletter.

About Winter Innovations: Winter Innovations is a medical device company dedicated to commercialization of its patented two-part needle technology and innovative stitching methods. Its flagship product, EasyWhip®, is an FDA-cleared device that simplifies stitching, enhances biomechanical strength, and improves efficiency in ligament and tendon surgeries. Recognized as an award-winning startup, Winter Innovations has secured multiple research grants, prizes in national pitch competitions, and placements in top-tier accelerator programs including the 2025 MedTech Innovator cohort. Building on this momentum, the company is expanding the EasyWhip® product family and accelerating commercialization to improve surgical outcomes at scale. For more information about Winter Innovations, visit www.winter-innovations.com and follow them on LinkedIn.

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