National Finale Judges
Vote for your favorite founder!
Voting is now live. The founder voted fan favorite will receive a $5,000 grant. You can vote for each finalist once every 24 hours from now until October 9, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. CT.
Ali Gates
Ali Gates is the Director of National Health Tech and AI Initiatives at the American Heart Association, bringing extensive experience in AI, digital health, and strategic product development. He previously served as the Founding and Lead Product Manager at Elemy, driving the company's valuation to over $1 billion in two years. Ali also led AI strategies at the CDC, including the COVID-19 contact tracing app collaboration with Apple and Google. An MIT alumnus, Ali has founded successful ventures like Claim it! Inc., and has a history with Google in New York City. His personal projects, such as the award-winning "U; Good?" and "How We Feel" apps, underscore his commitment to leveraging technology for social good. Originally from NYC, Ali now resides in Houston, TX, with his family.
Dr. Candice Carpenter
Dr. Candice Carpenter is a seasoned physician and healthcare innovator with nearly 20 years of experience across leadership, consulting, academia, and public health. She is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of The Boston Congress of Public Health, a nonprofit focused on health justice, and the Founder and CEO of Medflixx, a healthcare technology startup. Dr. Carpenter also serves as an Adjunct Professor at California State University Channel Islands and has held the role of Co-Editor-in-Chief for The Boston Congress of Public Health Review. Her extensive background includes prestigious fellowships at UCLA, Harvard, and Oxford, and she holds advanced degrees from Yale, Harvard, Oxford, and the University of Cincinnati.
Vickram Pradhan
Vickram Pradhan is a Vice President at Sopris Capital, an early stage healthcare focused venture capital and growth equity firm. Mr. Pradhan joined the firm in 2018 and has been involved in principal investing since 2016. Mr. Pradhan currently serves on the Board of Directors at HealPros and BEKHealth. Prior to joining Sopris Venture Capital, Mr. Pradhan was an Analyst at Arcadia Investment Partners, where he focused on private equity, real estate and special situations investments across a variety of industries. Outside of the office, Mr. Pradhan serves as a Young Ambassador for the Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Foundation. Mr. Pradhan graduated with a B.S. in Finance and B.A. in Mathematics from New York University. Originally from the Chicago area, Mr. Pradhan currently resides in Miami, FL.
Advisors
Alrashid Raad, The Journey Ventures
Andre Blackmon, Executive Search x Ecosystem Builder | Powering an Equitable Future of Health
Asif Ali, Cena Research Institute, Founder, CEO
Craig Daniel, COO Operations Director, AHA
David Fung, AHA SVP Technology and Cybersecurity
DeMario McIlwain, CEO of Skilldora Inc.
Don Jonas, Advocate Health
Eno Oduok, Naija Comm, Founder
Harry Bullen, PS27 Ventures, Senior Analyst
Israel Rollins, Aligned Health Ventures, Managing Partner
Jennie Byrne, Expert, Advisor focusing on Healthcare | Best-Selling Author | Psychiatrist
Kamran Iqbal, PayCure, Inc
Kelly Collier, LifeX
Kyna Shine, AHA, Director, Program Implementation (NHCI)
Lawrence Wurtz, Galen Growth, GM of North America
Mel Ochoa, SIS Omni
Meng Li, Founder, Director, and Endowed Chair of AI, Human-Centered AI Institute, C.T. Bauer College of Business, University of Houston
Miranda Perez, HBCU Founders Initiative
Monique Wilson, AHA, National Sr. Lead, Corporate Relations Strategic Accounts
Nada Hanafi, MedTech Strategy Advisors, LLC and MedTech Color
Navin Govind, Evidence Ventures
Olyvia Phillips, Matter, Partnerships Manager
Pilar Johnson, Debut Capital
Robert Tuchman, Amaze Media Labs Podcast
Simmone Seymour, Westbound Equity Partners
Stephen Samuels, Volunteers of America
Andre Blackmon, Executive Search x Ecosystem Builder | Powering an Equitable Future of Health
Asif Ali, Cena Research Institute, Founder, CEO
Craig Daniel, COO Operations Director, AHA
David Fung, AHA SVP Technology and Cybersecurity
DeMario McIlwain, CEO of Skilldora Inc.
Don Jonas, Advocate Health
Eno Oduok, Naija Comm, Founder
Harry Bullen, PS27 Ventures, Senior Analyst
Israel Rollins, Aligned Health Ventures, Managing Partner
Jennie Byrne, Expert, Advisor focusing on Healthcare | Best-Selling Author | Psychiatrist
Kamran Iqbal, PayCure, Inc
Kelly Collier, LifeX
Kyna Shine, AHA, Director, Program Implementation (NHCI)
Lawrence Wurtz, Galen Growth, GM of North America
Mel Ochoa, SIS Omni
Meng Li, Founder, Director, and Endowed Chair of AI, Human-Centered AI Institute, C.T. Bauer College of Business, University of Houston
Miranda Perez, HBCU Founders Initiative
Monique Wilson, AHA, National Sr. Lead, Corporate Relations Strategic Accounts
Nada Hanafi, MedTech Strategy Advisors, LLC and MedTech Color
Navin Govind, Evidence Ventures
Olyvia Phillips, Matter, Partnerships Manager
Pilar Johnson, Debut Capital
Robert Tuchman, Amaze Media Labs Podcast
Simmone Seymour, Westbound Equity Partners
Stephen Samuels, Volunteers of America