WINONA LAKE - Plug and Play Medtech Expo, a major event in the medical technology and innovation sectors, was held at Grace College’s Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center Wednesday, bringing together industry leaders, startups and the local community for a day focused on collaboration and forward-thinking solutions in medical technology.
The event featured a lineup of prominent speakers, including Dr. Drew Flamm, Grace College president; Ryan Locke, Indiana Economic Development Corporation vice president of venture finance; and Jim Lancaster, Zimmer Biomet senior vice president and head of global product development.
Lancaster reflected on Plug and Play Warsaw’s success and impact in the Medtech field at the end of the location’s first year of operation, according to a news release from Plug and Play.
“There’s a part of me that thinks it’s been five years with just how much has been accomplished,” Lancaster said.
Locke spoke on behalf of the state and encouraged Expo attendees to keep innovating and to not be afraid to reach out.
“This ecosystem is derived from people who like people,” Locke said, emphasizing the connectedness of the community in Warsaw and all of the Medtech field in Indiana.
Panel speakers Cristina Piecuch, Zimmer Biomet development director, knees; Jillian Turner, IU Lab, vice president for strategy and operations; and Liz Wiederhold, Paragon Medical, senior program manager - produce development, shared their insights on trends, challenges, and opportunities facing the future of medtech and healthcare.
“We’re at a real inflection point for human life sciences and AI. Every conversation comes back to AI,” Turner said. “We need to make sure people are aware of the ecosystem they are a part of in Indiana. We’re encouraging people to build on top of each other which lets them innovate faster.”
At Expo, Eileen Alberding, Plug and Play program manager, Indiana, announced that Plug and Play has made its very first investment in a Plug and Play Medtech startup. The investment was made in predictive healthcare, a company from the Warsaw branch’s first batch of startups in 2024.
Brandon Noll, Plug and Play director, Indiana, also announced that Plug and Play Warsaw has gained new corporate and strategic partners, Parkview Health and Launch Fishers, respectively.
A key highlight of Expo 2024 was the showcase of Plug and Play Medtech’s nine Batch 2 startups, including: Ateios Systems, Brinter Inc., Dimension Inx, Indus, Lifejoint Orthopedic Solutions, Magsorbeo, Biomedical, SDIP Innovations, Surge and Trace Orthopedics.
One of the distinguishing features of Plug and Play Warsaw’s Medtech Expo was the strong involvement of local businesses and community organizations, the release stated. The community's involvement highlighted the collaborative spirit of Northeast Indiana:
Warsaw’s MudLOVE provided custom Beacon NFC-enabled bracelets, connecting attendees both in-person and online.
iXplore set up a virtual reality experience of what it could look like to get involved in the orthopedic development workforce.
The Grace College Engineering Baja SAE brought in their off-road racer to give attendees a peek behind the curtain at the vehicle that is set to compete against nearly 80 schools in May 2025.
The event also benefited from the hard work of volunteers from Grace College Student CEOs, who helped coordinate various aspects of the day to ensure everything ran smoothly.
These community-driven experiences added a unique and personal touch to the event, making it not just a showcase of innovation, but a celebration of the local community and the people who contribute to Plug and Play Warsaw’s success, according to the release.
As the healthcare and technology industries continue to evolve, the Expo underscored Warsaw’s growing reputation as a center for Medtech innovation. The event brought together not only local businesses but also national and international thought leaders, demonstrating the area’s importance in the global Medtech landscape.
For more information, visit https://www.plugandplaytechcenter.com/