The American Heart Association announced today the selection of eight startups to participate in its Heart and Brain Health Accelerator, a specialty track within the 2026 MedTech Innovator Accelerator. The program aims to advance novel medical or digital health technologies aligned with the Association's mission to improve cardiovascular and brain health.
The companies were chosen from a highly competitive global pool and represent some of the most promising early- and mid-stage medical technology startups. Through this collaboration with MedTech Innovator, American Heart Association Ventures and the Association's Studio Red continue to identify and support innovation that aims to improve patient outcomes, expand access to care, and address critical gaps in cardiovascular and neurological health.
“Novel approaches to tackling today's most pressing challenges are what will drive us forward in addressing the age-old challenges of improving heart and brain health,” said Lisa Suennen, managing partner of American Heart Association Ventures. “Through the Heart and Brain Health Accelerator, we are connecting high-potential companies with the expertise, resources and networks needed to bring more trustworthy, rapid and impactful product and service advancements to patients and the clinicians who care for them.”
The 2026 cohort includes eight companies: Cerevia Neurosciences, developing a non-invasive neuromodulation platform for dementia; Chambertech, focusing on minimally invasive hybrid ablation for atrial fibrillation; Envera Medical, creating a neurovascular balloon catheter for intracranial procedures; Eupnoos, which uses acoustic breath biomarkers for early detection of heart failure; Flux Robotics, developing magnetically guided navigation systems for complex arteries; Lucentia, which turns routine CT scans into virtual CCTA for early heart disease detection; OMINI, offering a portable point-of-care platform for monitoring chronic diseases like heart failure; and Prima Medical, providing real-time AI treatment guidance for pulsed field catheter ablation.
Selected by an advisory committee of clinical, investment, and industry experts, these companies will receive specialized mentorship, coaching, and capacity building from American Heart Association Ventures. They also become official members of the MedTech Innovator program, gaining access to networking opportunities, funding, and increased visibility within the medical technology industry.
The startups qualify to participate in the MedTech Innovator Competition Finals, held at The MedTech Conference on October 18-21, 2026, in Boston. Participants are also included in the inaugural MTI Index, a recognition platform highlighting the most promising medtech companies advancing innovation and commercialization.
This initiative underscores the American Heart Association's commitment to fostering innovation that can transform patient care. By supporting these startups, the Association aims to accelerate the development of technologies that could improve outcomes for millions affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke worldwide.
