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NIA is delighted to announce the six winners of the 2023 NIA Start-Up Challenge and Accelerator ! These winning entrepreneurial teams, chosen from 20 finalists, each earned a $60,000 cash prize.
Led by NIA’s Office of Strategic Extramural Programs and Office of Special Populations , the five-month challenge and accelerator program — a scientific take on the television series “Shark Tank” — provides competitors with mentorship, expert-led entrepreneurial educational sessions, and unique networking opportunities.
More intensive, flexible support for innovation
The challenge and accelerator program stimulates research and innovation in support of NIA’s commitment to reduce health disparities and improve the health and well-being of older adults in underrepresented populations. Since its first cohort in 2022, the program has shown a positive impact with past participants securing NIH Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer funding, establishing strategic partnerships, and raising venture capital. It is designed to be more intensive and affordable than traditional accelerators, which often last just two to three months and require participants to pay a fee or relinquish equity in their companies.
Meet the 2023 winners
Diversity Small Business Funding Training and Career Development 2024-02-21T00:00:00Z AgingSense
Wearable technology to monitor heart failure symptoms and response to treatment
Pamela Cacchione, Ph.D., CRNP, BC
Implantable medical device to improve quality of life among heart failure patients
Fernando Anzellini, M.D.; Nicolás Anzellini, M.B.A.
Mechanically powered assistive device to help people regain or improve their ability to walk
Kira Burns, M.B.A.; Richard Burns, M.D.
Novel precision medicine device/platform that uses electroencephalogram biomarkers to guide real-time dosing of pain relievers during surgery and intensive care
Paul Garcia, M.D., Ph.D.; Meera Garcia, M.D.
Medical/digital device providing remote patient monitoring to predict surgical complications and improve postoperative care
Erika Dillard, M.D., Ph.D.; Tamara Baynham, Ph.D.
Interactive, conversation-based artificial intelligence technology that uses machine learning to assist with pain management
Mrinal Rawool, M.S.; Marcia Shade, Ph.D., R.N.; Stephen Scott, Ph.D.
Entrepreneurs and mentors wanted
If you find this year’s challenge and accelerator winners inspirational, join us in congratulating them by leaving a comment below, and we hope you’ll consider being a contestant or mentor for future NIA opportunities! Sign up for NIA’s Small Business Research Funding newsletter or email niastartupchallenge@nih.gov to learn more.