New Medtech Partnership Aims to Fast-Track Innovation to Market

SCOTTSDALE, AZ and DALLAS, TX – January 06, 2026 – A strategic partnership announced today between Medtech Incubator and Leap Distributors is set to create a streamlined pathway for bringing novel medical devices to the U.S. market. The collaboration combines a leading technology accelerator with a national distribution powerhouse, aiming to dismantle the barriers that often delay or derail promising healthcare innovations before they can reach clinicians and patients.

Scottsdale-based Medtech Incubator, an accelerator focused on nurturing early-stage device companies, has joined forces with Leap Distributors, a national distribution firm, to provide a direct route from product development to commercial rollout. This alliance will grant companies within the incubator's portfolio access to a coordinated, nationwide sales and logistics network, a critical step that often proves to be a major hurdle for startups.

Bridging the Medtech 'Valley of Death'

The journey for a new medical device from concept to clinical use is notoriously fraught with challenges, often referred to as the medtech 'valley of death.' Startups, even those with groundbreaking technology, frequently struggle to navigate the complex and costly landscape of the U.S. healthcare system. Key obstacles include securing regulatory clearance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), establishing a viable reimbursement strategy with insurers, and building a national sales and distribution network from scratch.

These hurdles create a significant bottleneck, where innovative devices that have proven their clinical potential can languish for years without reaching widespread adoption. Accessing established distribution channels is particularly difficult, as large distributors often prioritize established products with proven sales records. This leaves many early-stage companies struggling to gain a foothold in hospitals, Integrated Delivery Networks (IDNs), and Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs).

The new partnership directly addresses this market gap. By creating an integrated ecosystem, it provides a structured support system designed to guide technologies through these complex phases, significantly reducing the friction and time-to-market that can exhaust a startup's limited resources.

An Integrated Innovation Pipeline

The collaboration establishes a cohesive, end-to-end pipeline for medical technology commercialization. Medtech Incubator acts as the entry point, vetting and cultivating early-stage companies with high-impact potential. The incubator provides a comprehensive suite of resources, including engineering support through its partner BAAT Medical, guidance on organizational development, and strategic planning for regulatory submissions and investor readiness.

Once a technology is sufficiently developed and validated within this ecosystem, it gains a direct line to Leap Distributors. This transition provides immediate access to a robust commercial infrastructure. Leap operates on a blended model, utilizing both direct field teams and a network of independent distributors to provide comprehensive sales coverage across the United States. Its established relationships with hospitals, ASCs, and the VA system offer a ready-made market for new products.

More than just a logistical solution, the partnership ensures that early commercial insights from the field are fed back into the development process. Technologies selected through the incubator's evaluation will have the opportunity to work directly with Leap on launch planning and field engagement, ensuring that the product is not only clinically sound but also commercially viable and aligned with the practical needs of healthcare providers.

“Medtech Incubator is building a pipeline of companies with meaningful clinical value,” said Allen Mason, CEO of Leap Distributors. “Our team is looking forward to helping them navigate the commercial landscape, so clinicians and patients can see the benefits of innovative technologies faster and more efficiently.”

Strategic Synergy in a Competitive Market

While the U.S. has a vibrant landscape of medtech accelerators like MedTech Innovator and M2D2, and is served by massive distribution companies such as McKesson and Cardinal Health, the Medtech Incubator-Leap partnership offers a unique value proposition: integration. Instead of startups graduating from an accelerator and then beginning the arduous search for a distribution partner, this alliance creates a single, continuous pathway.

This model offers a powerful competitive advantage. For Medtech Incubator, the promise of a direct-to-market channel is a significant draw for attracting the most promising entrepreneurs and innovations. For Leap Distributors, the partnership provides a curated pipeline of vetted, high-potential technologies, giving it early access to the next wave of medical devices. This synergy is further bolstered by Leap's recent strategic growth, including its 2024 acquisition of orthopedic suppliers Leap Surgical and DUB Enterprises, which expanded its network and product portfolio.

By combining specialized expertise in both early-stage development and late-stage commercialization, the alliance aims to create an ecosystem that is more efficient and effective than the traditionally fragmented approach. It positions both organizations as key players in shaping a more connected and responsive healthcare innovation landscape.

“Working with Leap Distributors gives the innovations in our program a direct line to experienced commercial teams who understand the needs of clinicians, hospitals and ASC facilities,” said Josh Sandberg, Managing Partner of Medtech Incubator. “This partnership strengthens our ability to support early-stage companies and ensures that strong technologies have the guidance and access they need to succeed in the U.S. market.”