About the Challenge

The NIA Start-Up Challenge is an immersive and rewarding two-stage, five-month accelerator program for early stage entrepreneurs who have innovative ideas for science-driven technologies and products that have the potential to increase the diversity of NIA-funded small business research and development.

The goal of this challenge is to stimulate innovation in aging research and development by awarding cash prizes and non-cash prizes, such as coaching, mentorship, and strategic resources and opportunities provided through an accelerator program.

In addition to their innovative idea, submitters must demonstrate a need for the significant resources provided by the accelerator program, including:

  • Cash prizes
  • Entrepreneurial training sessions led by industry experts
  • 1:1 mentorship from experienced founders and investors
  • In-depth pitch coaching
  • Virtual and in-person networking with key industry partners
  • Introduction to the NIA and NIH SBIR/STTR funding programs

NIA’s past programs in 2022 and 2023 were highly competitive, with each round receiving more than 200 submissions for the available 20 finalist slots offered in each of those years.

Finalists join a cohort of innovators with exceptional potential and commitment to advance aging-related research and entrepreneurship. Throughout the program, finalists craft and refine their business plan and pitch presentation. At the end of the program, a judging panel reviews the final pitches and selects Challenge winners, who receive larger cash prizes.

Challenge Management

The NIA Start-Up Challenge is hosted by the NIA Office of Strategic Extramural Programs , in partnership with the NIA Office of Special Populations . Individuals from a variety of personal and professional backgrounds can make unique and valuable contributions in the research and development of life science innovations that prevent disease, prolong life, and promote health.

Challenge Eligibility and Judging Criteria can be found on separate pages.

Important Dates

  • Challenge Launch: Sept. 3, 2024
  • Registration and Submission Period Begins: Sept. 3, 2024
  • Registration and Submission Period Ends: Dec. 9, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. ET
  • Stage 1 Finalists Announced: April 2025
  • Stage 1 Accelerator Program: May–Nov. 2025
  • Final Submission and Pitch Due: Nov. 2025
  • Stage 2 Winners Announced: Jan. 2026

Stage 1

Up to 21 finalists will be selected to join the accelerator program and receive:

  • $10,000 cash prize.
  • 1:1 mentorship.
  • Entrepreneurial learning sessions.
  • NIH SBIR/STTR learning sessions.
  • In-person networking events.
  • Pitch submission to compete for further cash prizes.

Accelerator Program

The accelerator program will provide resources that address common needs and barriers faced by individuals seeking to develop science-driven aging innovations and for whom the NIA SBIR/STTR program can be especially critical to support early stage research, development, and commercialization activities. These resources include entrepreneurial training, access to key industry networks, grant application skill-building, peer-to-peer networking, and individually tailored mentorship from experts in diverse areas of life science entrepreneurship, each of which have been identified as critical areas of need for early stage research entrepreneurs.

Stage 1 finalists are expected to commit an average of 6–8 hours per week to participate in the accelerator program and work on building their team, product, and business plan. To provide maximum flexibility for participants, the five-month accelerator program will be mostly virtual except for two in-person networking events tentatively scheduled for early June 2025 and late October 2025. Travel costs will be paid by NIA for at least one finalist per team to attend these events.

The cash prize and non-cash prizes, including networking, mentorship, and skills gained through the accelerator program, may be vital to launch or grow the participant’s start-up and execute activities that can improve a future NIA SBIR/STTR research proposal; for example, testing the premise of the research idea, generating preliminary data, developing a prototype, or building an experienced team.

Stage 1 Objectives

At the end of the Stage 1 accelerator program, participants should be able to:

  1. Assess the target market opportunity for the problem that they have identified.
  2. Develop their solution’s value proposition that solves an identified unmet need.
  3. Create a scalable go-to-market strategy.
  4. Evaluate applicable intellectual property, regulatory, and reimbursement pathways.
  5. Generate basic pro-forma financial projections and understand the principles of valuation.
  6. Determine a legal and governance structure that is best for their venture.
  7. Prepare and present a compelling 2-minute elevator pitch and 7-minute pitch presentation.
  8. Understand the NIA SBIR/STTR grant application process, requirements, and resources.

Stage 2

Up to seven winners will be selected from the Stage 1 finalist pool to receive:

  • Up to $65,000 each.
  • Ongoing coaching and support to accelerate the team and product development.

Entities participating in this Challenge are encouraged, but not required, to request and obtain a free Unique Entity ID (UEI), if they have not already done so, via SAM.gov. Having a UEI will expedite prize payment. Review additional information .

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