JJHWS, Plug and Play Tech Center partner to support companies developing wellness solutions

Jan 7 2016

Johnson & Johnson Health and Wellness Solutions, Inc. (JJHWS) today announced a collaboration with Plug and Play Tech Center, a global investor and technology accelerator, to support innovative, early-stage companies developing direct-to-consumer solutions that enhance wellness.

Participation in the newly created Health and Wellness Technology Accelerator is open to companies that support human wellbeing through interventions that target nutrition, physical activity, stress, sleep, alcohol and smoking cessation. Companies will be selected based on criteria established jointly by JJHWS and Plug and Play. Consistent with Johnson & Johnson's efforts to support diversity and its focus on increasing women's representation in science and technology, the accelerator will target at least 30% participation by companies founded by women or minorities.

The Health and Wellness Technology Accelerator complements Johnson & Johnson Innovation JLABS, which supports emerging pharmaceutical and medical device companies with a specific focus on new medicines, molecules, and products.

"Our collaboration with Plug and Play extends Johnson & Johnson's focus on innovation and investment in a technology-driven healthcare ecosystem that puts people at the center," said Len Greer, President of JJHWS. "Our company offers a unique combination of deep consumer insights, behavioral and biological science expertise, regulatory experience, analytics, and design thinking capability, and we are committed to collaborating with the best technology companies to transform human health and wellbeing."

The accelerator will provide a rigorous three-month program for two groups of companies per year. Both Johnson & Johnson Health & Wellness Solutions and Plug and Play will provide coaching and mentorship support to the start-up founders. As part of this mentorship, the companies may be eligible to participate in the Corporate Athlete® program offered by the Johnson & Johnson Human Performance Institute, which trains executives on how to manage and expand their energy to maximize performance in both their business and personal lives.

The collaboration commitment is for three years, with annual renewal options thereafter. Johnson & Johnson Health and Wellness Solutions will provide an award for the three most promising companies in each group, based on their potential to make a meaningful impact in consumer wellness.

Johnson & Johnson Health and Wellness Solutions and Plug and Play may also provide seed funding for companies that best align with the Johnson & Johnson wellness mission. Follow-on funding may also be available for select companies.