By Tim Ryan

If there’s one thing we’ve learned from spotlighting the region’s boldest startups at Innovate Hampton Roads, it’s that true game-changers don’t just innovate—they scale with unstoppable momentum. And right now, Newport News-based ivWatch is embodying that spirit like never before. Fresh off a whirlwind of wins, this homegrown hero in IV safety tech just announced a powerhouse leadership shake-up on September 18, 2025, that’s set to propel them—and our entire entrepreneurial ecosystem—into overdrive.

Let’s rewind a bit for context, because ivWatch’s journey is the ultimate Hampton Roads success saga. Founded in 2010 right here in Virginia’s coastal innovation hub, they’ve racked up nearly 70 patents with their FDA-cleared, CE-marked continuous monitoring system. This isn’t just gadgetry; it’s a lifesaver that detects IV infiltrations and extravasations in real-time—think over 18,000 checks per hour to prevent everything from dosing errors to severe tissue damage. IV failures hit up to 50% of cases, especially in vulnerable groups like neonates and oncology patients, costing hospitals billions and risking lives. ivWatch flips the script with predictive algorithms and optical sensors, slashing severe injuries by over 93% in studies.

We’ve cheered them on through milestones that scream “Hampton Roads pride.” Remember their 2024 Startup World Cup Virginia Finals victory hosted by us at Innovate Hampton Roads? They crushed it, landing third globally out of 8,000+ startups. Add to that Inc.’s 2024 Best in Business nod, Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies list, and Modern Healthcare’s accolades—plus surpassing 35 clinical evidence bodies. Just this month, they advocated for World Patient Safety Day, earned a HSJ Patient Safety Awards nomination for a UK pilot preventing 15 serious events in weeks, and geared up for CTO Jason Naramore’s talk at AVA 2025 on lipid-based infusion challenges. Oh, and don’t miss their booth #607 or the October 16 NICU webinar—they’re everywhere this fall, pushing IV safety boundaries.

Now, the big news: ivWatch is supercharging its board and exec team to conquer the $12B+ infusion therapy market. New board members Jack Diamond (health law titan behind global hospital projects), Paul Kempinski (pediatric hospital CEO turned consultant with four decades of quality and growth wins), and John Palumbo (40+ years launching AI tech and med devices, from Fortune 100s to IPOs) bring elite firepower. They’re joined by internal promotions: Erin Wendell, who joined in 2020 and has already rebranded the company, launched international markets, and snagged those Inc. and Fast Company honors, steps up as President. And Wayne Shepherd, a 30-year med device sales vet who scaled AccuVein from $2M to $30M revenue, takes VP of U.S. Sales to drive adoption nationwide.

As Chairman John Lawson puts it, this dream team’s diversity and global savvy will turbocharge commercialization, turning ivWatch’s tech into a hospital staple. For us in Hampton Roads? This is rocket fuel for our innovation scene. It means more jobs, investment inflows, and inspiration for aspiring founders. Imagine: a local startup tackling a universal healthcare crisis, proving that Virginia’s ecosystem can birth world-beaters. It benefits you directly—whether you’re a budding entrepreneur eyeing our events, an investor scouting deals, or a professional in biotech. ivWatch’s rise spotlights opportunities right here, from collaborations to talent pipelines, strengthening our region’s rep as a medtech hotspot.

Stay tuned—ivWatch’s story is far from over. Dive deeper at www.ivwatch.com or join us at upcoming Innovate Hampton Roads gatherings to connect with trailblazers like them. Don’t miss out on key business events, local success stories, and expert insights—subscribe to This Week in 757 and stay ahead in Hampton Roads’ innovation and business community. https://bit.ly/twi757newsletter