Hacking Dermatology aims to shine a spotlight on skin health and to address the most pressing challenges for patients living with dermatologic conditions. The year-long initiative provides innovators with a framework to enable the formation of multi-disciplinary teams that are able to clearly identify a need in the field and to actualize their ideas.
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By engaging like-minded individuals in collaborative partnerships Hacking Dermatology seeks to generate and accelerate innovative technologies and products in dermatology.

Hacking Dermatology Process

Step 1: Frame
Thought leaders in dermatology including, scientists, clinicians, funders, and patients share what they believe to be the most critical challenge areas for the field through a crowd sourcing exercise. 

Step 2: Hack
Teams of hackers, coming from diverse scientific, business, and other backgrounds, formulate solution driven projects in response to the challenge areas under the mentorship of invited experts. At this multi-day event teams present their proposals to a panel of judges and the top 5 teams are awarded seed funding to refine their ideas.

Step 3: Incubate
The top 5 teams have three months to utilize the Hacking Dermatology network of mentors, experts, resources, and professional services to polish their ideas and develop genuine proposals. At the conclusion of the incubation period, teams present their final proposals to a panel of judges and the top 3 teams are awarded further funding and admittance to the extended incubation program.

Step 4: Extend
The top 3 teams receive additional mentorship and access to scientific and startup resources. As part of this step, teams submit progress reports to establish a proactive environment, capitalize on their momentum and achieve their goals.

Step 5: To Market
As ideas and projects mature, teams are guided from research to commercialization. This departure point may lead to external accelerators, investors, strategic partnerships or other resources for early stage companies.

​Hacking Dermatology was founded in 2018 by a consortium of partners: Advancing Innovation in Dermatology, Hacking Medicine Institute, and LEO Science & Tech Hub.

Our Mission is to radically improve the dermatological patient journey and dream big about cures for chronic skin conditions by cultivating a community of scientists, engineers, clinicians, patients and advocates.