At PainConnect, AAPM believes innovation and technology are key to transforming healthcare, improving outcomes, and accelerating the future of pain medicine. AAPM’s Innovation Hub is where ideas, research, and breakthroughs converge—designed to elevate fresh thinking, spotlight novel solutions, and unite a global network of clinicians, researchers, startups, and patients.
From AAPM Poster Abstracts that spotlight original research, to high-impact Flash Talks that elevate new ideas…from the high-states Innovation Challenge that fuels startups and solutions, to Hacking Pain, an immersive collaboration where University of Utah students will submit their innovative ideas for diverse teams and create innovative solutions to hack pain
Whether you’re presenting bold new research, delivering a high-impact talk, or pitching the next game-changing product, the Innovation Hub is your launchpad.
Programs That Power the Future of Pain Care
The AAPM + MIT Hacking Medicine Innovation Challenge
Pitch your pain solution. Impact lives.
Join the 5th Annual AAPM + MIT Hacking Medicine Innovation Challenge, the premier healthcare pitch competition focused on pain management innovation.
This high-energy, “Shark Tank”-style event invites early-stage startups, researchers, and healthcare entrepreneurs to present their solutions to an expert panel of judges at PainConnect 2026. Whether you’re pre-seed or Series A, we want to hear from you.
- Open globally to all disciplines
- Focused on pain medicine, digital health, sleep, nutrition, and more
- Winners receive mentorship and visibility
- Pitch submission deadline: December 15, 2025
Poster Abstracts
Showcase your research to leaders in pain medicine.
Submit your original research for presentation at PainConnect 2026. Selected poster abstracts will be displayed onsite, offering visibility to clinicians, researchers, industry leaders, and potential collaborators.
- Open to students, fellows, faculty, and professionals
- Topics may include acute and chronic pain, health equity, innovation, and more
Flash Talks
8 minutes. 1 big idea. Countless possibilities.
Flash Talks are dynamic, bite-sized presentations designed to spotlight emerging research, bold ideas, or innovative pain solutions.
If you’ve got a compelling story, new data, or a novel idea that could reshape pain care, submit your proposal for a chance to speak at PainConnect 2026.
- 5-minute presentations + live Q&A
- Open to researchers, students, clinicians, and innovators
Hacking Pain
Collaborate. Prototype. Disrupt pain care.
Hosted at the University of Utah’s Center for Medical Innovation, this immersive, team-based event brings together clinicians, engineers, patients, and entrepreneurs to co-create bold solutions to real-world pain challenges.
- Problem-solving through rapid ideation and design
- Interdisciplinary teams tackle real pain care problems
- Access to mentors, pitch feedback, and investor attention
Who Should Participate?
If you’re passionate about transforming the future of pain care, there’s a seat at the table for you:
- Academic Physicians
- Students, Residents, Fellows
- Startup founders & entrepreneurs
- Clinical innovators & researchers
- Engineers, designers & developers
- Health systems & digital health leaders
Why the Innovation Hub at PainConnect?
- Gain exposure to leading clinicians, investors, and healthcare partners
- Refine your ideas with real-time feedback and mentorship
- Collaborate across disciplines to unlock powerful insights
- Drive real change in pain medicine, from concept to clinical impact
Ready to Join the Movement?
Bold ideas belong here. Let’s build the future of pain care—together.