Plug and Play unveils 12 lifetech startups shaping the future of healthcare innovation in Indianapolis

Plug and Play, the global innovation powerhouse that helped launch startups like Dropbox and PayPal, is betting big on healthcare. The Silicon Valley-based accelerator just announced the first 12 companies joining its new Lifetech program in Indianapolis — a four-month sprint to shape the future of medicine and life sciences.

Drawn from eight U.S. states and three countries, the startups will work alongside Plug and Play’s Lifetech partners, including IU LAB, BioCrossroads, IU Health, and Indiana University. The program will culminate with an expo in February 2026, where founders will pitch their breakthroughs to investors, executives, and healthcare leaders.

David Rosenberg, President and CEO of the IU LAB, said the collaboration is part of a broader effort to build Indiana’s innovation economy. “The IU LAB is proud to partner with Plug and Play, Central Indiana Corporate Partnership and IU Health to help grow Indiana’s innovation economy,” he said. “This partnership reflects our commitment to translating IU’s $1 billion research enterprise, attracting and developing world-class talent, and building the next generation of companies right here in Indiana. Together, we’re strengthening the state’s position as a national hub for life sciences and groundbreaking innovation.”

12 Startups Selected for Plug and Play’s Inaugural Lifetech Accelerator to Transform Healthcare and Life Sciences

The selected startups span the spectrum of life sciences — from AI-driven medical imaging and organoid development to diagnostics, therapeutics, and medical devices.

Among the cohort: AGED Diagnostics, which created the first accurate blood test for fatty liver disease affecting one in three Americans; Amplicore, developing injectable regenerative therapeutics for musculoskeletal disorders; and Amplified Sciences, whose ultra-sensitive optical platform detects pancreatic cancer risk earlier and more accurately.

Other standouts include Door Pharma, targeting chronic hepatitis B; Grannus Therapeutics, developing a first-in-class ovarian cancer treatment; and Intero Biosystems, using stem-cell-derived mini organs to predict drug responses before clinical trials. Modella AI aims to shorten the time to diagnosis for cancer and other pathologic diseases, while Ireland’s OmniSpirant Therapeutics is advancing RNA delivery using bioengineered stem-cell vesicles that double as regenerative medicine tools.

OsseoLabs is bringing precision to hospitals with AI-driven surgical planning and 3D-printed implants. OsteoCure Therapeutics, a Duke spinout, is tackling bone repair and osteoporosis with its adenosine platform. Scioto Biosciences is developing a gut-brain therapy for children with autism, and SynchNeuro has built what it calls the world’s first brain-based non-invasive glucose monitor.

“This inaugural batch of startups is a testament to the incredible innovation happening in the life sciences,” said Brandon Noll, Director of Plug and Play Indiana. “We’re thrilled to bring these entrepreneurs to Indianapolis, a city with a rich history in the life sciences, where they will directly engage with leading life science experts as well as tap into the robust network of resources available for every phase of their journey through Plug and Play’s global innovation platform. The future of medicine is being shaped right here, and we’re excited to be part of that growth.”

Launched in September 2025, the IU LAB Lifetech Accelerator was built through a collaboration between Plug and Play, Indiana University, IU Health, and regional partners to position Indiana as a national leader in healthcare innovation. The program connects founders with mentors, investors, and corporate collaborators across therapeutics, diagnostics, biotechnology, and medical devices — building momentum for breakthroughs that could redefine patient care.

Headquartered in Silicon Valley, Plug and Play operates in more than 60 locations across 25 industries and has invested in hundreds of successful startups, including Dropbox, Guardant Health, Honey, Lending Club, N26, PayPal, and Rappi. With the Lifetech program, the accelerator is bringing that same global reach to Indiana’s growing life sciences ecosystem — and setting the stage for the next wave of healthcare pioneers.