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Get your pitches ready and apply by Dec. 9 for a shot at mentorship, entrepreneurial education, and cash prizes in the third NIA Start-Up Challenge and Accelerator . Led by the NIA Office of Strategic Extramural Programs in partnership with the NIA Office of Special Populations, the Challenge and Accelerator blend business skills training with a cash prize competition to help entrepreneurs overcome barriers to participating in NIH Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant programs.
Funding and training innovative teams
Since the Challenge and Accelerator’s launch in 2022, 40 participating teams have developed innovative solutions for older adults, caregivers, and health care providers. So far, $660,000 in prizes have been awarded to 11 winning teams from 2023 and 2022 .
Teams who make the cut for the Stage 1 finals take part in a five-month accelerator program that includes mentorship, education, and networking to help them develop a business plan, apply for grants, and compete for a Stage 2 cash prize. NIA will announce Stage 1 finalists in April 2025, and the accelerator program will run from May through November 2025.
The Challenge and Accelerator seek to spur innovation by supporting individuals from a variety of backgrounds who have new ideas for solutions that address an unmet need in the aging population. NIA encourages submissions designed to address health disparities, and to improve the health and quality of life for older adults in underserved communities.
Participants like 2023 winner and Gravitrex CEO/Co-Founder Kira Burns praised the program’s positive impact. “All the valuable resources that we’ve had as part of this program helped to break down the elements of the SBIR grant system to accelerate our business,” Burns said.
New this year: Enhanced training and more cash prizes
For this year’s Challenge and Accelerator, NIA has teamed up with Philadelphia-based nonprofit Science Center for an enhanced curriculum led by experts in launching life sciences start-ups. Another notable update for this year is that all Stage 1 finalist teams will receive a $10,000 cash prize to support critical early-stage business and product development. The seven Stage 2 winning teams will each receive an additional $65,000 cash prize.
Attend the pre-application webinar on Oct. 9 and apply by Dec. 9
If you are an aspiring entrepreneur in the field of aging, be sure to attend our pre-application webinar on Oct. 9 . Then, apply by Dec. 9 . For more information, review the program details at the Start-Up Challenge and Accelerator website , and sign up for NIA’s Small Business Research Funding newsletter for updates about the challenge and other entrepreneurial development and funding programs. For questions, email niastartupchallenge@nih.gov .
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