Start-Up Challenge

2025 NIA Start-Up Challenge and Accelerator: Stimulating Aging Innovation

Through this Challenge, NIA is seeking early stage entrepreneurs with innovative ideas for technologies to improve healthy aging. Submissions were accepted through Dec. 9, 2024. Learn more about the Challenge .

2025 Winners

In January 2026, NIA selected 7 Start-Up Challenge winners to receive $65,000 cash prizes. This multidisciplinary group of researchers and entrepreneurs are developing innovative technologies and products that have the potential to advance the fields of aging and age-related diseases.

Learn more about the winners and finalists

About Submissions

This Challenge invites submissions from researchers and entrepreneurs who have innovative ideas for science-driven technologies and products that have the potential to increase the impact and reach of NIA-funded small business R&D, and who would substantially benefit from intensive entrepreneurial training and resources.

Proposals may demonstrate a potential to increase the impact and reach of NIA-funded small business R&D by addressing an underfunded area of research and development relevant to the NIA small business research areas .

Important Dates

• Challenge Launched: Sept. 3, 2024
• Registration and Submission Due Date: Dec. 9, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. ET
• Stage 1 Finalists Announced: April 2025
• Stage 1 Accelerator Program: May–November 2025
• Final Submission and Pitch Due: November 2025
• Stage 2 Winners Announced: January 2026

Explore the Start-Up Challenge

• About the Challenge and Accelerator
• Eligibility and Rules
• Judging Criteria and Prizes
• 2025 Winners and Finalists
• Past Start-Up Challenge Cohorts
• More Information

Statutory Authority to Conduct the Challenge

The NIA is conducting this Challenge pursuant to authorities under the America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science (COMPETES) Reauthorization Act of 2010, as amended, 15 U.S.C. 3719. In addition, this Challenge is consistent with the mission of the NIA, as described in 42 U.S.C. 285e: the conduct and support of biomedical, social, and behavioral research, training, health information dissemination, and other programs with respect to the aging process and the diseases and other special problems and needs of the aged.

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