Eight Startups Selected for American Heart Association Heart and Brain Health Accelerator

The American Heart Association announced the selection of eight companies 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.

Selected from a highly competitive global pool, the cohort includes Cerevia Neurosciences, Chambertech, Envera Medical, Eupnoos, Flux Robotics, Lucentia, OMINI, and Prima Medical. These early- and mid-stage startups represent promising solutions ranging from non-invasive neuromodulation for dementia to AI-guided catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.

“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 accelerator, a collaboration between American Heart Association Ventures and MedTech Innovator, provides specialized mentorship, coaching, and capacity building. Participants also gain access to MedTech Innovator's network, funding opportunities, and visibility within the industry. The companies are eligible to compete in the MedTech Innovator Competition Finals at The MedTech Conference on October 18-21, 2026, in Boston, and are included in the inaugural MTI Index, a recognition platform for medtech innovation.

The selected companies address critical gaps in cardiovascular and neurological health. Cerevia Neurosciences is developing a non-invasive neuromodulation platform for dementia. Chambertech offers a minimally invasive hybrid ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation. Envera Medical focuses on a neurovascular balloon catheter for safer embolization procedures. Eupnoos uses acoustic breath biomarkers to detect heart failure and drug-induced lung injury. Flux Robotics creates magnetically guided systems for navigating instruments through arteries. Lucentia's software converts routine non-contrast CT scans into virtual coronary CT angiography for early heart disease detection. OMINI provides a portable platform for measuring multiple blood biomarkers to monitor chronic diseases like heart failure. Prima Medical offers real-time AI treatment guidance for pulsed field catheter ablation.

The cohort was selected by an advisory committee of clinical, investment, and industry experts based on innovation, clinical impact, and potential to improve patient care. Through this initiative, the American Heart Association continues to drive innovation that aims to improve patient outcomes, expand access to care, and address critical health challenges.