Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Empowered to Serve Business Accelerator™- Akron/Canton?

The Empowered to Serve Business Accelerator is a training and grant opportunity that empowers social and health tech founders and businesses focused on improving access to optimal health in Akron and Canton, OH.

If selected into the accelerator, you will receive 4 weeks of training that covers design thinking, customer discovery, marketing positioning, brand development and brand storytelling.

Qualifying candidates will present their brand story to a panel of judges at a live finale show in Ohio (date and location TBA). The first-place finalist will be invited to participate in the National Empowered to Serve Business Accelerator training and present their brand story at the finale in 2026 (date and location TBA).

What does it cost to apply?

This program is provided at no cost to you other than your time, dedication and the belief that the impossible can be possible.

Who should apply?

  • US resident 18 yrs or older
  • Must be the founder, CEO or someone authorized to make changes to the business
  • Have an office in the Akron or Canton region and have an impact in one of the communities
  • Address one or more categories of the social drivers of health.
  • Non-Profits and for-profits accepted
  • Must be available during crucial accelerator dates
  • Types of companies eligible for consideration: health tech, med tech, social impact, innovative community centered solution.
  • Companies not eligible: health supplements, gyms, spas or personal trainers, private medical practice, and food related companies- smoothies, shakes, and other prepared food items that do not fall under the AHA guidelines.

What are the minimum requirements?

  • Internet
    • Most of our interactions will happen virtually, so you will need to have consistent access to the internet. Occasionally, we will host video conferences and we’d love to see your face, so having access to a video camera and headphones will ensure an optimal experience. Your existing desktop or laptop video camera should be fine.
  • Time
    • Plan to devote at least four to six hours per week to your individual work and any virtual group activities. We’ll coordinate calendars to find the best time to meet once we have a group identified.

What is the schedule for the accelerator?

Because the process is intense, and we must cover a lot of ground in a short period of time, we highly recommend that you review the following dates before you apply.

  • Application period:
    Oct. 27-Dec. 5, 2025
  • Top candidates notified by:
    Jan. 28, 2026
  • Candidates need to agree by:
    Feb. 3, 2026
  • Pre-Accelerator:
    Feb. 4-6, 2026
  • Training:
    Feb. 9-March 13, 2026
  • Rehearsal/extra training:
    March 13-20, 2026
  • In-person showcase finale:
    Last week of March

What is the Pre-Accelerator?

This is the first week of training, providing accepted candidates with an opportunity to preview the expectations of the accelerator and make a final commitment to the process. The AHA reserves the right to discontinue a candidate’s participation based upon performance.

What are the grant amounts?

  • 1st place: $30,000
  • 2nd place: $15,000
  • 3rd place: $10,000
  • Fan favorite: $5,000

What can you expect from us?

Our expertise: We will offer you a 4-week training and coaching on topics ranging from digital marketing to customer discovery and from brand experience to brand story telling all provided by experts in the field. Our network: We will not only connect you to other like-minded entrepreneurs, but also bring you into our local American Heart Association network. Our encouragement: We will offer our support to you throughout the process in the form of resources, people and our belief in you.

What do we expect from you?

Your time: The training period will be intense and time consuming. If you are serious about the process and the potential of being awarded the grant, you need to be prepared to dedicate four weeks of your time to this project.

Your dedication: You will need to fully commit to this project and the process, which includes hitting each deliverable on a tight timeline.

Your determination: You must believe you can achieve the impossible under tight conditions.

What can you tell me about confidentiality and intellectual property?

Confidentiality is not guaranteed in any way. However, the process is set up in such a way that during the training you will not be asked to share information about your project with other teams. In the same manner, we will not share information about your project with other teams during training. If a team wishes to keep elements of their concept or idea confidential, the team should not include that information when it presents during the finale. There is no way for The American Heart Association or its organizers to enforce a prohibition of other candidates, audience members or judges who see or hear a pitch from sharing the concept, idea and/or materials with others. By participating in the Empowered to Serve Business Accelerator™ candidates agree that The American Heart Association, Empowered to Serve™ and all related parties assume no liability, and shall have no liability or obligation whatsoever for disclosures of information provided by a candidate as part of a submission or otherwise during the course of the accelerator or finale.

Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) between a candidate and the judges and/or audience members will not be required or allowed.

How can I advance to the National Business Accelerator?

The first place grant recipient will automatically move on to the national business accelerator in 2026.

Do you have additional questions about the accelerator?

For questions, email Gabbi Roszman at [email protected].