Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Empowered to Serve Business Accelerator?

The accelerator is a fully remote training and funding opportunity for leaders building health tech-enabled products and services, as well as collegiate innovators. It’s designed to help you test, validate, and strengthen solutions that improve access to health.

Over eight weeks, you’ll work alongside mentors with experience in finance, marketing, behavioral psychology, and customer experience design.

Who is eligible to apply?

This program may be a good fit if you are:
  • 18 years of age or older
  • Leading a nonprofit or for-profit startup (pre-seed through Series A)
  • Serving communities in the U.S.
  • Working on solutions that address social drivers of health
  • Available during key accelerator dates
  • Focused on areas like women’s health, nutrition security, or cardiovascular health
  • Committed to inclusive, ethical, community-rooted impact

What types of companies are a good fit?

Examples include:
  • Digital health platforms
  • Data-driven health tools
  • Care delivery innovations
  • Technology-enabled community solutions
  • Student or university-affiliated ventures

What types of companies are not eligible?

To keep the focus on mission-aligned health impact, this program is not designed for:
  • Gyms or personal training services
  • Private medical practices
  • Health supplement or prepared food products

What will selected founders receive?

Participants can expect:
  • Eight weeks of structured training
  • The opportunity to present for nondiluted funding
  • A participation stipend
  • Access to the 2027 American Heart Association Scientific Sessions for top recipients

What’s different about this accelerator?

Many programs focus on pitch decks and traction. This accelerator focuses on what happens after that, understanding how adoption truly works inside real systems, and how to build solutions that can last.

What happens after the program?

Graduates join the ETS Business Accelerator Alumni Network, with opportunities for:
  • Ongoing mentorship
  • Connection to local American Heart Association markets
  • Speaking opportunities
  • Visibility and storytelling support