Empowering innovators: From conception to market

Recipients of AO Innovation Funding get to experience the essence of the AO: unparalleled collaboration across research, clinical specialties, and industry through our network of more than a half-million healthcare professionals—all in service to advancing new frontiers in orthopedics and improving patient outcomes.

The AO helps select innovators navigate every stage of their project, especially the infamous “valley of death”: the critical phase between ideation and market launch. Our commitment is resolute, as we provide essential innovation and project funding, comprehensive support, and a thriving ecosystem that nurtures revolutionary concepts in orthopedics and surgeon education, ensuring that surgeons are equipped to tackle clinical challenges with cutting-edge solutions.

Our core areas
Customized innovation project funding
The AO nurtures innovation with seed money that kick-starts projects and empowers innovators to transform ideas into impactful realities. We bridge the gap between ideation and execution, ensuring that promising projects thrive with the necessary resources.
The AO recognizes the uniqueness of each project, and our support reflects that. We tailor timeframes and funding to each project's specific needs, nurturing innovation efficiently while allowing innovators to focus on their transformative ideas.

Technology translation support and mentorship
Move from concept to real-world solutions with the AO’s assistance. We facilitate the transition from lab to practical orthopedic solutions, effectively addressing clinical challenges with the professional counseling of global leaders from across science, medicine, and industry.

Incubator ecosystem across clinical specialties
Our innovation ecosystem fosters collaboration, guidance, and growth across diverse clinical specialties, allowing novel ideas flourish and contributing to transformative advancements.

The AO's four-step formula for success

1. Your idea for improving patient care or surgeon education should:

Provide an innovative solution to a real clinical/educational problem
Have the potential to be patent protected
Be driven by your plan, passion, and determination to make it happen
Be suitable to scale

2. We support you with funding and expertise to navigate the complex landscape of intellectual property protection, development and manufacturing, regulatory approval, building clinical evidence, and an exit strategy.

3. You gain access to a global network of more than 500,000 health care professionals in the musculoskeletal field.

4. Together, we can make an impact by improving patient care and surgeon education.

We share the labor and its yield, to the benefit of all.

Bring your idea to life!

Anyone can apply for funding by August 31, 2025

Learn about the process under the FAQ and if you still have questions, drop us an e-mail!

You can review the format here before applying below.

Apply now!

Success stories

AO's dedication to innovation is evident in our success stories. Innovators supported by the AO emerge as leaders in orthopedic solutions for surgeon education and use.
Successful projects showcase how our innovation funding turns visionary concepts into impactful realities, reinforcing our commitment to successful outcomes. A selection of these projects include:

Digitally enhanced hands-on surgical training (DEHST), a patented optical tracking technology that is now the cornerstone for a new generation of cost-effective, transportable, and digitally augmented training station for hands-on surgical training
OSapp, AO’s interactive, virtual osteosynthesis software tool and learning platform
Momentum Health, a smartphone app empowering scoliosis patients to manage the condition
Biphasic Plate Distal Femur, a newly “AO Approved” plate design to improve fracture stabilization and healing
Distal Radius Intramedullary Nail, a solution for the fixation of unstable extraarticular fractures