Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Empowered to Serve Business Accelerator?

The Empowered to Serve Business Accelerator is a fully remote training and grant opportunity that empowers social and health tech founders and businesses focused on improving access to equitable health in America.

If selected as an accelerator founder, you'll join an exceptional nationwide network of innovative entrepreneurs who are launching big ideas to solve significant health equity problems in our communities. In six weeks, you will test, validate, and activate innovation in real-time with the support of a team of mentors whose experience spans and includes finance and fundraising, branding and marketing, behavioral psychology and customer experience design.

Your application will be reviewed by the American Heart Association’s Office of Health Metrics and you will have the opportunity to present your brand story in front of industry experts and potential investors.

Who is eligible to apply?

  • Non-profits
  • For-profits: Pre-seed through Series A
  • US citizens 18 years or older
  • Must address one or more categories of the Social Determinants of Health
  • Innovation must apply to improving health inequities
  • Must be available during crucial accelerator dates
  • Types of companies eligible for consideration: Healthtech, MedTech, 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.

How do I apply?

  1. Review the eligibility and FAQ section to see if you’re eligible to apply.
  2. If eligible, fill out the application form.
  3. Be sure to click Save draft along the way to save any progress.
  4. Once all required fields are complete, click the Submit button. You will receive email confirmation that your application has been received.
  5. See the Application Review Schedule to follow our timing.
  6. We will notify you whether or not you’ve been accepted into one of the accelerator candidates by July 30.

Who will review the applications?

Every application will undergo a comprehensive review conducted by the Empowered to Serve team. We will assess various factors, including the company's stage, internal fit, potential for benefiting from the training, proposed utilization of the grant, and the potential health impact of the business. Top applications will be further reviewed by the American Heart Association’s Office of Health Metrics on criteria such as health impact potential, innovation/viability and scalability.

Applicants will not receive individual feedback regarding the reasons for not being accepted.

What will qualifying founders receive?

  • Six-week training
  • Opportunity to present brand story virtually on October 9 for a chance at grant funding; 1st- $50k, 2nd- $12k, Fan favorite- $5k
  • Non-grant recipients will receive a $1,000 stipend for participation.
  • 1st and 2nd place will gain access to the 2024 American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions Conference on November 16-18 in Chicago.

What is the schedule?

  • Application period open: May 1 – June 28
  • Top candidates notified by: July 30
  • Pre-accelerator: August 5 – August 9
  • Training: August 12 – September 20
  • Showcase Finale: October 9

What happens post-accelerator?

Upon completing the accelerator experience, you will become part of the exclusive Business Accelerator Alumni network. You will gain access to other potential opportunities to promote yourself and your company’s impact, data management tracking, receive social media content to post on your handles, speaking opportunities, connection to the local AHA market and internal teams.