Medtech Steals the Show at Pitch Elk Grove 2025
In a field of nine, three finalists were medical startups—and two of the four cash awards went to them. The Sacramento region’s clinical-innovation flywheel is clearly spinning.
The Medical Standouts
IGH Naturals (Sacramento) – Grand Prize, $10,000
HuMOLYTE, a patented electrolyte mix designed to ease chemo-related side effects (dehydration from nausea, diarrhea, mucositis). A lower-friction, lower-cost alternative to IV fluids—needle-free and clinic-chair-free.EnlitenAI (Tracy) – Second Place, $5,000
AI-driven clinical decision support for personalized neurology care—aimed at improving monitoring and treatment decisions for complex neurological conditions.SeeMedX (Sacramento) – Finalist
Continuous, noninvasive heart monitoring to improve patient outcomes—bringing hospital-grade insight closer to the point of need.
Why This Matters to MedStart
When one-third of finalists are medical—and half the winners are, too—that’s not noise; that’s signal. It means:
Clinical founders are finding product-market fit in the Sacramento metro.
Investors and public partners are open to regulated, evidence-driven innovation.
The region is building a repeatable path from prototype → pilot → patient impact.
The Bigger Picture
Pitch Elk Grove awarded $20,000 across four startups, judged by local angels and VCs. Non-medical winners included:
Rely (Truckee) – Third Place, $2,500: a renter “passport” that streamlines tenant verification.
Soar Optics (Elk Grove) – Best of Elk Grove, $2,500: microplastics detection tech for water utilities and industrial users.
Hats Off to Elk Grove
The city’s program—launched in 2022—has become a real launchpad: record applications, strong attendance, and a growing pipeline of founders making real-world bets on health, data, and infrastructure. That kind of civic momentum compounds—and patients, providers, and payers stand to benefit.
