NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A panel of expert judges declared Health Together the winner of Lever's Berkshire Health Technology Challenge. 

 

The company, co-founded by Nicolas Boillot and Diedre Tomlinson, will use the $25,000 Challenge award to continue working on its innovative online health platform. 

 

This is Lever's third BHTC, which focuses on health technology companies with fundable and scalable business models. 

 

Finalists spent the past few months working with the Lever team, refining their pitches, learning from Lever's network of mentors, and deepening their entrepreneurship skills through Lever's Challenge program. 

 

"Past BHTC winners and finalists have gone on to make their mark on the health care industry, not only in the Berkshire region, but worldwide," said Brent Filson, Lever's head of innovation. "This year's finalists were an impressive group with innovations that impact everything from testing to patient quality of life. I look forward to seeing how they will continue to build on these ideas." 

 

BHTC Finalists

 

CathWear 

 

CathWear is medical underwear designed for patients struggling with wearing leg bags. CathWear significantly improves the patient's quality of life by removing unsanitary leg straps and increasing accessibility. CathWear was founded by Brian Mohika, BSN, RN, Hector Arce Jr., LT, NC, USN, and Edwin Alvarez, MBA.

 

Health Together

 

Health Together is a moderated, online peer health community sold to employers who want to reduce health care costs and increase well-being by giving employees and family members a way to find support and coaching. Based in Williamsburg, Mass., Health Together was founded by Nicolas Boillot and Deirdre Tomlinson.

 

Open Standard Industries

 

The OSR-M1 is a reusable, non-valved, elastomeric respirator that provides bidirectional filtration at 99% efficiency and is made using local supply chains. Open Standard Industries is based in Holyoke, Mass., and led by Dr. Matt Carney, Aaron Cantrell, Jake Horsey, Mike Stone, and Dr. Philip Brown.