Overview

We invite startups and university-backed projects to apply for non-dilutive funding ranging from $20,000 to $180,000. This funding supports the development, evaluation or validation of innovative digital health solutions aligned with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority’s (BARDA) mission to enhance pandemic preparedness and health security.

The Paratus Digital Health Accelerator — powered by MATTER — provides funding and support services to help entrepreneurs validate clinical, technical and business elements of their product and company by working with health systems or other established partners. Uniquely, Paratus is able to connect innovators with mission-aligned study sites to support their solutions.

These discrete, up to six-week projects will evaluate a specific hypothesis for novel digital health medical countermeasures. Longer projects will also be considered and supported.
 

Technologies of interest

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:

• Technologies to enhance clinical trials for MCMs. This could include innovations for improved trial diversity, enhanced recruitment and retention, and optimized trial design.
• At-home digital diagnostics and telemedicine solutions that utilize artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) approaches for diagnosis and risk assessment.
• Novel approaches to collect, process, evaluate and validate real-world evidence for therapeutics, devices and diagnostics, including use of AI/ML.
• Digital twin approaches using multimodal clinical data, including AI (e.g., EHR, imaging, unstructured notes) for early identification, endotyping or treatment guidance for disease severity to enable early intervention.
• Integrated capabilities to identify deterioration in the pre-hospital setting to assist in assessing, diagnosing, and treating CBRN (Chemical, Burn, Radiological, Nuclear) mass casualty patients. For example, innovations that enable sensor data collection, AI model development, responder/clinician-facing user interfaces and tools that can facilitate integration with larger healthcare enterprises
   

Timeline

December 18, 2025: Preliminary applications open
January 17 and January 28, 2025: Informational webinars
January 31, 2025: Preliminary applications close
February 28, 2025: Selection decisions and invitation to submit full application
March and onward: Awards, milestone-based funding and program services begin
 

For full program details please visit matter.health/paratus

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. 

Challenge statement: 

How can we redefine care for people facing rare neurological diseases by addressing and overcoming barriers today?

Who should apply?

• We are looking for entrepreneurs dedicated to improving access to specialists, enhancing referral systems, advancing patient literacy, addressing technological and platform capabilities and accelerating accurate diagnoses in brain health.
• While the accelerator will apply this concept to better understanding the area of rare neurological diseases, entrepreneurs do not necessarily need to be focused on healthcare to participate in this accelerator.
• This global call for solutions is open to individuals and teams from across the innovation ecosystem — from university researchers, students and entrepreneurs to existing startups of all stages. Solutions can range from early stage concepts to marketed solutions.

Timeline

December 4, 2024: Applications open

February 2, 2025 Applications close

March 3, 2025: Cohort announced

March 3 - May 2, 2025: 10-week accelerator

Week of May 5, 2025: Final showcase (in person at MATTER)