Houston's PolyVascular Wins Global Health Tech Competition for Pediatric Heart Innovation

Houston-based medical technology company PolyVascular was named the overall winner of the American Heart Association's annual Health Tech Competition at Scientific Sessions 2025, earning top honors for its innovative approach to treating congenital heart disease in children. The competition, which also recognized Oxford-based Brainomix as the science category winner, showcased digital solutions aimed at addressing cardiovascular diseases and stroke that affect nearly half of U.S. adults according to Association statistics.

The Health Tech Competition serves as a live forum for health care innovators to present digital solutions for treating or preventing cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Finalists addressed clinical problems including heart failure, hypertension, congenital heart defects and other pressing issues in cardiovascular, brain and metabolic health. Both winning companies will join the Association's Center for Health Technology & Innovation Innovators' Network, a consortium that connects entrepreneurs, providers, researchers and payers to advance innovation in cardiovascular and brain health.

PolyVascular's winning technology focuses on developing minimally invasive solutions for children with congenital heart disease, specifically a valve that can be expanded over time to grow with the child. This innovation has the potential to dramatically reduce the need for repeated open-heart surgeries, allowing children to enjoy healthier, more carefree lives. "This is a tremendous honor for PolyVascular - we're especially proud to bring hope to families and children living with congenital heart defects," said Henri Justino, M.D., co-founder of PolyVascular. "Our technology has the potential to dramatically reduce the need for repeated open-heart surgeries. It's time these life-changing technologies reach the youngest patients, just as they already do for adults."

The competition evaluated solutions based on three key criteria: validity of the working prototype or product in the market, scientific rigor of validation research using evidence-based health research, and impact on improving patient outcomes through innovative technology. Judge Star Jones, attorney, TV personality and American Heart Association national volunteer, described the competition as "our own version of Shark Tank, showcasing groundbreaking innovations that have the potential to transform care. What excites me most is seeing science come to life in ways that reach people where they live, work and play. These technologies aren't just promising - they're poised to make a real impact."

Other finalists included Brainomix from Oxford, England, which creates AI-powered software to improve stroke diagnosis and treatment decisions; Lumia from Boston, delivering wearable solutions for people with orthostatic intolerance and chronic blood flow disorders; Noah Labs from Berlin, transforming voice into a digital biomarker for earlier intervention in cardiometabolic diseases; and Cambrian Health from San Francisco, building an AI-powered platform that ensures clinical best practices are seamlessly executed at point of care. The competition took place November 8-9 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans during Scientific Sessions 2025, the Association's premier global event for advancements in cardiovascular science and medicine. More information about the competition is available at ahahealthtech.org/aha-health-tech-competition-2025.