Be apart of the Ignite movement, where healthcare innovation meets tailored support and real impact.
The Nova Ignite incubator supports female founders of early-stage startups of products with a hard good or digital component in the health and wellness and/or medical device space. This Impact Incubator is designed for women, and by women, with a goal to provide the network, education, and resources to make profound growth for their start-up in 6 months.
Nove Ignite is a hyper-resourced environment that creates the conditions for female founders to thrive, leveraging an impressive network of well-respected and experienced women-leaders in the innovation ecosystem. Nova Ignite increases the probability for female founders to build a sustainable business and commercialize new products and services.
Key Program Outcomes
01 - Clarity
Create a clear strategic plan.
→ Navigate the intersection of regulation, technology, and market dynamics
→ Sharpen your problem-solution alignment
→ Transform vision into actionable goals
02 - Business
Confidence that leads to progress.
→ Balance innovation with a business model that works
→ Develop strategic know-how to match your product and industry insight
→ Build narratives that align with stakeholder priorities
03 - Traction
Accelerate and advance your venture.
→ Gain momentum and wins into measurable progress
→ Develop traction milestones that attract sources of capital
→ Increase your venture fundability
04 - Community
Get the support you need.
→ Gain a national network of mentors, resources, and fellow entrepreneurs
→ Receive guidance from Nova-Ignite experts working with you
→ Meet potential partners, investors, and advisors
Ideal Applicants
→ Female founder or leader (CEO)
→ Developing a product with a hard good or digital component in the health & wellness and / or medical device space
→ Coachable and committed to spending the time and effort to make progress on your venture
→ Available 2-5 hours per week for programming and to work on venture
→ Attend in-person kick-off and end of cohort celebration in Rhode Island
→ Proof of concept, TRL 3 - 4
→ <$1MM in total funding (grants, friends and family, private capital)
QUESTIONS?
Email hsvarre@wearenova.co for more information
Program Timeline
MAY 01 2025
Applications open
MAY 15 2025
Applications close
MAY 27 2025
Cohort notifications
JUN 17 2025
Cohort kick-off
DEC 2025
Cohort wrap-up
Ignite Co-founders
Jeanette Numbers
Founding Partner
Jeanette is a design visionary and the driving force behind Nova, a distinguished East Coast design consultancy. Her expertise in strategic thinking and a balanced approach to digital and physical product design has led to the successful launch of 100’s of products and services, contributing to $50M+ in combined value creation.
In addition to her leadership at Nova, Jeanette is deeply engaged in mentoring and education. She serves as an Adjunct Professor at RISD, a Guest Lecturer at MIT and Brown University, and a Leadership Mentor for NEMIC MedTech Ventures. She also serves on the IDSA Board of Directors.
With over 30 years of experience designing experiences, Jeanette combines creativity with practicality to guide projects seamlessly from concept to commercialization. Her work embodies a dedication to blending strategic vision with tangible outcomes, making her a pivotal force in the advancement of global design and innovation.
LINKEDIN →
Michelle Wu
Founding Partner / Executive Director
Michelle of Wu Consulting, LLC is a senior leader with 20 years of experience in the medical device and life sciences industries. Her experience spans executive leadership, product and process development, manufacturing, and quality.
Clients rely on her for strategic planning and execution oversight of their design and development, scale-up, and transfer to commercial manufacturing, with an attention on ensuring quality and regulatory compliance. Her unique background helps clients bring their medical device innovation to life; leading them through various stages of business, organizational, and product development; bringing clarity, alignment, and calm to the chaotic and unknown.
Passions include Women’s Health, supporting women leaders, and growing the life science innovation ecosystem. Michelle serves as a board member of RI Bio, is a Women’s Health Advocate member, and advisor and mentor through various programs.
LINKEDIN →
Karen Miller Gillis
Founding Partner
Karen is CEO at Vivvidae Life Sciences, a venture development firm that helps innovators launch and grow market shares for medical technologies that have a positive impact on patient care.
Throughout her 30+ career, she has been committed to bringing cutting-edge products to market. Her experience in building companies in the life sciences industry is extensive: she has led teams across all functional areas, designed new practice integration and economic models, developed tactics and support systems for healthcare practitioners, restructured businesses, and served in senior roles such as venture director, head of sales and marketing, COO, CEO and president.
Working at industry-leading companies and through multiple successful exits, Karen has led the launch of 28 medical technologies and successfully grown valuation, revenues, and market share everywhere she has been. She holds a BA in Business Economics from Brown University and enjoys coaching her daughters in their athletic endeavors.
LINKEDIN →
Program Takeaways
→ A polished 5-minute pitch deck
→ Comprehensive strategic plan
→ Advancement in one or more
Regulatory Strategy
Product definition
Commercial strategy
→ Long-term relationships with mentors & industry leaders
→ Improved network and ecosystem
Are you ready to begin?
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Applications will be opening May 1st!