Health Equity Innovation Challenge 2025

Program Type: Hybrid (In-person & Online)
Location: Concord, NC
Investment: $15,000 non-dilutive grant
Equity Taken: 3-7.5%
Program Fee: 0
Program Duration: 12 weeks accelerator program followed by 18 months incubation
Stage: Early Stage
Industry of Focus: Healthcare

Description

The Health Equity Innovation Challenge is a hybrid accelerator and incubator program administered by the Flywheel Foundation. The program is designed to support early-stage startups that develop scalable and investable solutions to address significant healthcare outcome disparities. The challenge focuses on improving health equity for vulnerable communities, including African American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, and those at 200% of Federal Poverty.

Key Challenge Dates

• December 16, 2024 to March 31, 2025 – Entry Period (accepting submissions)
• April 19, 2025 – Round One (judging of submissions)
• April 21, 2025 – Finalists Briefing Day
• May 17, 2025 – Pitch Day (presentation of business plan)
• After May 17, 2025 – Winners Chosen

Program Benefits

• Acceptance into a 12-week Accelerator Program
• 18-month Residency at the Cabarrus Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
• Access to research, subject matter expertise, customer and investor introductions
• A $15,000 Non-dilutive Grant
• Connection to the New Ventures Investment Network

For more information, visit the Health Equity Innovation Challenge website.

Key Highlights

Program Overview

The Health Equity Innovation Challenge, sponsored by Atrium Health and administered by the Flywheel Foundation, is a business idea competition seeking scalable and investable solutions to healthcare outcome disparities. The program targets vulnerable communities, including African American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, and those at 200% of Federal Poverty.

Diversity, Inclusion, and Exclusion

The program focuses on improving health equity for vulnerable communities, specifically African American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, and those at 200% of Federal Poverty.

Investment Details

• Up to $15,000 non-dilutive grant
• Up to $100,000 investment
• 3-7.5% equity taken

Benefits Details and Perks/Credits

• 12-week Accelerator Program
• 18-month Residency at the Cabarrus Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
• Access to research, subject matter expertise, customer and investor introductions
• Connection to the New Ventures Investment Network
• Free coworking residency at the Cabarrus Center until monthly revenue exceeds $10,000 or a Seed investment round is closed
• Entry into the Venture Mentor Services program

Program Format

• December 16, 2024 to March 31, 2025 – Entry Period (accepting submissions)
• April 19, 2025 – Round One (judging of submissions)
• April 21, 2025 – Finalists Briefing Day
• May 17, 2025 – Pitch Day (presentation of business plan)
• 12-week Accelerator Program
• 18-month Incubation

Location or Relocation Requirements

• Engage with target populations in the Atrium North Market (Cabarrus, Rowan, and North Mecklenburg region) for beta testing and proof of concept
• Residency at the Cabarrus Center in Concord, NC

Cohort Size and Program Frequency

• Cohort size: 5-10 companies per year
• Program runs annually

Post-Program Engagement

• 18-month Residency at the Cabarrus Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
• Monthly meetings with a three-member mentor team
• Access to Cabarrus Center programs and services

Company Types Requirements

Startups focusing on social and technological innovations that can be applied and commercialized with demonstrated potential for social and economic impact on health equity.

Founding Team Preferences

Teams must engage with target populations in the Atrium North Market for beta testing and proof of concept.

Up to $15k grant

Up to $100k investment

3-7.5% equity taken

Virtual & in person

Key Challenge Dates

January 1 to March 31, 2024 – Entry Period (accepting submissions)

April 19, 2024 – Round One (judging of submissions)

April 22, 2024 – Round Two (finalists briefing)

May 1, 2024 – Pitch Day (presentation of business plan)

After May 4, 2024 – Winners Chosen