Inside Innovation, Cleveland Clinic Pitch Competition Names AutoCMR Inventors as Winners of $100,000 Grant

On October 30, Cleveland Clinic Philanthropy hosted the annual Inside Innovation event featuring a pitch competition supported by Cleveland Clinic Innovations. Hosted at the InterContinental Hotel, this unique program brought together inventors, donors, and industry leaders. The showcase exhibited new discoveries and the investment required by philanthropic endeavors in improving patient care.

In a Shark Tank-style event, three Cleveland Clinic innovators presented their ideas for a chance to win a $100,000 grant, funded by Jones Day, to help accelerate bold medical concepts into real-world solutions.

Funding the Future of Healthcare

“The Innovations pitch competition is where philanthropy seeds new ideas for research and for patient care,” shared Lara Kalafatis, Chair & Senior Vice President of Philanthropy at Cleveland Clinic. With the support of Jones Day as corporate sponsor, the event served as a catalyst to accelerate development at all stages of innovation.

Inside Innovation also allowed attendees to experience Inventors Row, where they could engage with breakthrough technologies and meet the minds behind them. “We actually have an opportunity for the audience to interact with products and companies that impact patient care,” said D. Geoffrey Vince, PhD, Chief of Innovations.

Celebrating Innovation and Collaboration

This year’s competition featured three finalists, each presenting solutions to pressing healthcare challenges. Nearly 250 attendees were present to hear pitches and vote for the winner. The event format encouraged audience engagement, with guests voting for their favorite innovation. The finalists pitching were:

• Christopher Nguyen, PhD – AutoCMR (Winner):
  AutoCMR is a push-button cardiac MRI system designed to make heart imaging faster, more consistent, and more accessible for patients everywhere. By automating the scan process, it reduces complexity and variability, helping clinicians deliver accurate results quickly and improving access to advanced cardiac care.

• Yu-Shang Lee, PhD & Ching-Yi Lin, PhD – Neuroregeneration and Functional Recovery After Spinal Cord Injury:
  This project focuses on developing new approaches to aid the body's healing process after spinal cord injuries, with the goal of restoring movement and function for patients who have experienced these life-altering events. Their approach is designed to give hope and new possibilities to those affected by spinal cord injuries.

• Hani Najm, MD – Vitagro: Novel Expandable Heart Valve for Children Born with Heart Valve Defects:
  Vitagro is an innovative heart valve designed to grow with children born with heart valve defects, reducing the need for repeated surgeries as they age. This technology offers families and young patients a future with fewer procedures and more opportunities for healthy development.

Dr. Nguyen's AutoCMR project was awarded the $100,000 grant. The technology automates the complex MRI process, allowing a full chest scan to be completed in just 30 minutes. “AutoCMR has the potential to redefine cardiac care... Thanks to the support from Jones Day and Cleveland Clinic, we now have the momentum to bring this vision to life,” said Dr. Nguyen.

Jones Day’s partnership was essential in making the event possible. “It gives us the opportunity to participate in a program that brings innovation not only to Cleveland Clinic, but also to the Cleveland community,” said Jeff Kapp, Partner at Jones Day.

Global Reach, Local Impact

Cleveland Clinic Innovations continues to expand its global footprint, with technologies and ventures advancing care from Cleveland to London, Abu Dhabi, Toronto, and beyond. This worldwide impact depends on sustained philanthropic support. The recently launched Global Venture Philanthropy Fund offers donors the unique opportunity to support new companies that move medical ideas from the lab to the clinic.

Working with Cleveland Clinic Innovations

Every breakthrough begins with an idea, and with support from many. Whether you’re a donor, industry partner, or inventor, your involvement helps drive progress and improve lives worldwide. “Innovation in medicine is never a solo journey. I’m proud to work alongside a team that shares a deep commitment to improving patient outcomes,” said Dr. Nguyen.

• Partner with us: Visit the Cleveland Clinic Innovations website to learn more and get involved.
• Cleveland Clinic Caregivers: Explore opportunities and resources on the Inventor Portal.

Together, we’re building a community where discovery leads to impact, and innovation knows no boundaries.