Overview

Health is a holistic concept shaped by social, physical and environmental influences. To improve overall health outcomes, it’s essential to address social factors, enhance cardiovascular wellness and create healthier environments.

Creating solutions in these areas will thrive on teamwork across disciplines, combining technology, community engagement and policy support. With this in mind, the American Heart Association and MATTER are seeking novel solutions that improve social drivers of health, improve cardiovascular health or promote healthy environments.

Challenge Statement

How might we develop novel solutions that address one or more of the following areas: 

• Improve social drivers of health 
• Improve cardiovascular health 
• Promote healthy environments 

Who should apply?

We’re seeking undergraduate students, graduate students and alumni of Historically Black Colleges and Universities within the U.S. who are developing a technology solution that addresses the challenge statement in one or more of the indicated areas.

Benefits of participation

This four-week, cohort-based accelerator will provide participants with access to exclusive resources and interactive curricula from subject matter experts to build their solutions and refine their value propositions. The accelerator will be facilitated virtually.  One winning solution will receive a $10,000 grant.

Accelerator participants should expect to:

• Engage with other cutting-edge startups
• Network with peers and leading influencers
• Gain exposure to the American Heart Association and MATTER communities
• Present brand story to potential investors, partners and clients at a final showcase
• Receive a free, six-month MATTER membership

Timeline

• November 11: Applications open
• January 6: Applications close
• January 6 - January 17: Meetings with top candidates
• January 20: Cohort announced
• January 27 - February 17: Four-week accelerator
• Week of February 24: Virtual final showcase   

Submission process

Applications open on November 11, 2024, and close at 11:59 pm CT on January 6, 2025. 

Seeking Digital Health Medical Countermeasures

Focus Areas

The Paratus Digital Health Accelerator, part of the BARDA Accelerator Network, works in collaboration with BARDA, a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response. Together, they are responsible for ensuring the nation is equipped with the proper medical countermeasures needed to respond to health security threats.

Areas of focus for the accelerator include digital health tools that enhance preparedness and response to public health emergencies due to chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) incidents, pandemic influenza and emerging infectious diseases. These tools should increase access, reduce cost or more rapidly disseminate medical countermeasures (MCMs).

Across these areas, we are interested in digital health solutions that can support preparedness, health readiness and mobilization. Examples include, but are not limited to:
 

• Tools to enhance MCM readiness and clinical capacity
• Technologies to enhance clinical trial diversity
• Capabilities that promote more equitable access to MCMs 
• At-home diagnostics and telemedicine solutions
• Risk assessment and patient stratification capabilities and tools
• AI and machine learning innovations to enhance preparedness and response to public health emergencies
• AI and machine learning innovations to increase the efficiency of pre-clinical development of MCMs
• Novel ways to collect and validate real-world evidence

Who should apply?

We’re seeking entrepreneurs and university-backed researchers who are developing digital health solutions that will empower the nation to prepare for and respond to health security threats and improve the continuum of clinical care.

This global call for solutions is open to startups from across the innovation ecosystem with an established proof of concept, evidence of product-market fit and business model potential.

This program is conducted fully virtually. Participants must be available to spend approximately five hours each week from January 6 to March 14.

Timeline

September 30, 2024: Applications open

November 22, 2024: Applications close

December 2024: Cohort announced

January 6, 2025 – March 14, 2025: 10-week accelerator

Week of March 17, 2025: Final Showcase
 

Deadline to apply is November 22, 2024 at 11:59pm CT.