Empowered to Serve Business Accelerator™

Igniting impact by accelerating founders focused on equitable health.

Get updates

 
The Empowered to Serve Business Accelerator empowers health impact-focused founders leveraging innovation and technology to improve health in the U.S. In a six-week virtual training, founders will receive expert guidance and critical resources to accelerate their businesses, exposure to key industry advisers, and a chance to receive nonequity funding and complimentary access to the AHA’s Scientific Sessions.
 

Meet our 2024 National Accelerator Finalists

 

Information Session

Bold text "2024 Accelerator Info Session" is to the left of a digital illustration of red overlapping people icons in the style of a neon sign on a dark maroon background.

Learn what to expect throughout the application process and beyond.

Watch the recorded info session

Heart of Innovation HBCU Challenge

The American Heart Association Heart of Innovation HBCU Challenge is a business accelerator opportunity for HBCU undergraduates, graduates and alumni who are developing technology to improve social drivers of health, improve cardiovascular health and/or promote healthy environments.
Meet the HBCU Challenge grant recipient and finalists

Bridging the Gaps to Optimal Health

Health disparities cost the U.S. an estimated $93 billion annually—nearly nine times the total venture funding for digital health startups in 2023. The U.S. is projected to drop from 49th to 66th place globally by 2050, with an average life expectancy of 80.4 years. Americans spend an average of 12.4 years living with diseases, surpassing global averages.

Since 2017, the accelerator has been committed to supporting innovators like you in addressing these pressing health challenges.

donation envelope icon
$1.47M

in grant funding

red heart icon
181

social entrepreneurs and organizations trained

map icon
$323M

post-accelerator outside investments + 1 acquisition

 

Who should apply?

The business accelerator is for founders of nonprofits and pre-seed, seed and Series A startups. These ventures should be focused on driving equitable health and health optimization with focus areas including health-tech and med-tech innovation, food/nutrition insecurity, health care access, job security, housing, transportation, poverty, climate and more.

We will not accept applications from:

  • Physical training/trainers, gyms, and spa-related facilities
  • Health supplement-based businesses
  • Smoothie/juice businesses or food products
  • Health-focused consultants or private medical practices
     
A digital illustration of red overlapping people icons in the style of a neon sign

National Accelerator

Apply for your chance at grant funding and training from May 1 through June 30.

Find out more about the National Business Accelerator

Your participation provides you with invaluable opportunities.


Funding

This nationwide, highly competitive experience provides you with the chance at nonequity funding.

Evaluation

The American Heart Association’s Center for Health Metrics evaluates your business model. The evaluation will create a baseline enabling you to make critical decisions, refine your strategies and maximize the effectiveness of the accelerator experience.

Training

The experience includes a six-week training in which you will elevate your unique competitive advantage to deliver a compelling brand story that encourages interest from stakeholders and potential investors.

Feedback

At the culmination event, a panel of industry-leading experts evaluates your business and provides invaluable feedback and advice.
 

Innovate or Die Podcast

Listen to Pamela Garmon Johnson, National SVP, Healthy Living & NextGen Programs describe how the Empowered to Serve Business Accelerator transforms communities on the Innovate or Die podcast. The business accelerator has helped over 150 businesses and granted over $1M.
Dive into the accelerator in this podcast episode
a video frame from the Innovate or Die podcast showing the two hosts and Pamela Garmon-Johnson
aerial view of a light blue table with headphones, a cup of coffee, reading glasses, a laptop and desk accessories spread around the edges

Get ready to apply.

Explore the Empowered Innovation Academy, our complimentary online learning platform.
Learn about the Innovation Academy

Support the Accelerator

Join us in helping make equitable health a reality. We invite you to support our innovative founders by providing access to capital, mentorship, and resource networks.

Get Involved

Alumni Achievements and Impact

Founders have leveraged the training and grant program to make a substantial health impact in their local and national communities. Our Alumni
headshot of Anna Li against a grey background

Anna
Li

Korion Health
2023 Empowered to Serve Business Accelerator founder and 1st place winner; Won $1M Hult Prize in London in 2024; On track for FDA approval
headshot of Colby Takeda

Colby
Takeda

Pear Suite

$2.5M raised; AHA Social Impact Fund candidate; Hawaii Entrepreneur Awards 2023: Tech Entrepreneur of the Year (Hawaii Business Magazine); 2023 Prime Health Innovation Challenge in California finalist; Pear Suite named The Digital Health Hub Foundation’s 2024 Rising Star in Health Equity

headshot of Shavini Fernando next to a bookcase

Shavini
Fernando

OxiWear
2023 Empowered to Serve Business Accelerator founder and 2nd place winner; Received FDA 510(k) clearance as a medical device in 2024
headshot of Kwamane Liddell against a grey background

Kwamane Liddell

ThriveLink

(Formerly Nutrible) AARP Pitch competition winner; AWS Health Equity Accelerator; 2024 American Nurses Association Innovation Award winner; UCSF Adapt Program finalist; 2023 Prime Health Innovation Challenge in California finalist

What founders are saying about the accelerator 

Hear from our alumni on how the program impacted their business

“Working on developing my moonshot statement was the hardest part and the best part of the experience.”

“This program allowed me to accelerate my business in ways I couldn't have imagined. The connections and programming I received played a pivotal role in bringing it to the next phase.”

“As an early-stage entrepreneur, building my brand story was crucial to understanding my business and goals for the future.”