The American Heart Association has selected eight companies to participate in its Heart and Brain Health Accelerator, a specialty track within the 2026 MedTech Innovator Accelerator. These startups were chosen from a competitive global pool for their potential to advance cardiovascular and brain health through novel medical or digital health technologies.
The cohort includes Cerevia Neurosciences, which is developing a non-invasive neuromodulation platform for dementia; Chambertech, focusing on minimally invasive hybrid ablation for atrial fibrillation; Envera Medical, working on a neurovascular balloon catheter for safer embolization procedures; Eupnoos, which uses acoustic breath biomarkers to detect heart failure and lung injury; Flux Robotics, creating magnetically guided robotic systems for navigating complex arteries; Lucentia, turning routine CT scans into virtual coronary CT angiography for early heart disease detection; OMINI, with a portable platform for monitoring chronic diseases via multiple blood biomarkers; and Prima Medical, offering real-time AI guidance for pulsed field catheter ablation.
These companies will receive specialized mentorship and coaching from American Heart Association Ventures, tailored to cardiovascular and neurological conditions. They also become members of the MedTech Innovator program, gaining access to networking, funding, and visibility. Participants are eligible for the MedTech Innovator Competition Finals at the MedTech Conference in Boston from October 18-21, 2026, and are included in the inaugural MTI Index.
“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 selection was made by an advisory committee of clinical, investment, and industry experts, evaluating innovation, clinical impact, and potential to improve patient care. This initiative underscores the American Heart Association's commitment to driving innovation in cardiovascular and neurological health, leveraging its venture capital program and venture studio to bridge the gap between research and real-world impact.
