The EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator is designed for founders who are building health-focused businesses and navigating complex systems where progress depends on real adoption. This program goes beyond polishing pitches. It helps innovators better understand how decisions are made, where barriers show up, and how meaningful change takes root. 

Support for the EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator is provided by MATTER. This eight-week program offers: 

• Nondiluted funding to help move your work forward 
• Expert mentorship and practical training 
• Real-world validation to strengthen your approach 
• Narrative intelligence support to help you communicate your impact clearly and authentically 

Program Timeline 

• March 3 – Applications open 
• April 27 – Applications close 
• June 1 – Applicants notified 
• June 15–19 – Cohort onboarding and orientation 
• June 22–Aug. 14 – Accelerator training (8 weeks) 
• Aug. 17–Oct. 4 – Rapid Validation Labs (selected participants) 
• Oct. 5–19 – Finale showcase preparation 
• Oct. 22 – Finale showcase at MATTER HQ in Chicago 

Who Can Apply 

Minimum requirements include: 

• Applicants must be 18 years or older 
• Applicants should be the founder or CEO of a nonprofit or pre-seed, seed, or Series A startup 
• Companies must be based in the U.S. 
• Innovations should have a positive impact on equitable health in the U.S. 

Have Questions? 

If you need support with the application or want to learn more, we’re here to help. 

Contact us at: NextGen@heart.org

Seeking: Innovative digital health solutions aligned with BARDA’s mission to enhance pandemic preparedness and fortify health security.

This program is seeking to accelerate digital health tools that enhance preparedness and response to public health emergencies due to:

1. Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) threats
2. Pandemic Influenza
3. Emerging Infectious Diseases

Have a solution that doesn't quite fit?

If you are working on a solution for medical countermeasures, but don't see the right fit, we still value your solution and want to hear from you. Please fill out a preliminary application and we can assess your fit on an ad hoc basis.
 

Challenge statement: 

Seeking innovative community-led solutions that break down barriers and increase access to care. 

Who should apply?

This national call is open to U.S.-based nonprofits focused on implementing community-led solutions that address health access or its non-medical drivers — also known as social determinants of health — and that match the following criteria:

The organization:

• U.S. nonprofit: Must be a 501(c)(3) public charity based in the U.S. and its territories and in good standing.
• Operational readiness: Possesses a strong leadership team with relevant expertise and the organizational capacity to execute the program.
• Financial stability & vision: Demonstrates stable financial health and a clear vision for long-term program sustainability.
• Collaborative & transparent: Has the capacity to provide regular, transparent reports on progress and outcomes.
• Ready to scale: Exhibits readiness to engage with mentors, advisors and the curriculum to grow the solution.

The innovative initiative:

• Challenge-focused: The initiative must directly address the problem statement outlined in the Challenge.
• Beyond the idea: The initiative is past the concept stage and has been tested, even on a small scale, with a focus on growth and impact.
• Scalable solution: The initiative impacts U.S. communities and has clear potential for replication in other geographies or populations.
• Deep community impact: The initiative can provide evidence-based results and demonstrates a significant, measurable impact on underserved communities.

Timeline:

January 27, 2026: Applications open

March 8, 2026: Applications close

March 23-April 3, 2026: Meetings with top candidates 

April 13, 2026: Five organizations are selected and notified

May 11-July 17, 2026: Accelerator program, with weekly virtual meetings, except for two in-person meetings hosted at MATTER offices in Chicago, Illinois:

• Week of May 11, 2026: Finalists meet in-person for the program kickoff
• Week of August 3, 2026: Finalists present their solutions at the final showcase in-person