The American Heart Association (AHA) is now accepting applications for its 2026 Health Tech Competition, a global initiative designed to accelerate the adoption of market-ready solutions that improve cardiovascular and brain health. The competition, hosted by the AHA Center for Technology & Innovation, aims to address a critical disconnect: despite rapid advances in digital health, artificial intelligence, and remote patient monitoring, many promising technologies never reach the patients who need them most. By connecting innovators with clinicians, researchers, and investors, the program seeks to bring evidence-based technologies into real-world care settings faster.
Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death globally, and health systems are grappling with growing demand, workforce shortages, and rising costs. Scalable, data-driven solutions are more critical than ever to deliver timely, effective, and equitable care. The Health Tech Competition targets technologies that actively engage patients, support clinicians, and demonstrate measurable potential to improve outcomes across various care settings. Unlike traditional startup competitions, this program emphasizes clinical validation and alignment with evidence-based care, ensuring that solutions are positioned for real-world adoption.
“For more than a century, the American Heart Association has been at the intersection of science, research, clinical expertise, and innovation to drive improvements in cardiovascular and brain health,” said Nancy Brown, CEO of the AHA. “Through the Health Tech Competition, we continue that work by helping advance evidence-based solutions that address today’s most pressing health challenges and reach people where they live, work, and receive care.”
The competition is open to emerging companies with market-ready solutions supported by clinical or pilot data and a viable business model. Five finalists will be selected to pitch live at Scientific Sessions 2026, the AHA’s flagship global event for cardiovascular science, held Nov. 6–9 at McCormick Place in Chicago. The finalists will present their innovations on Nov. 7–8, with the winner announced on Nov. 9.
Key dates for the competition include: applications open now through Sept. 18, 2026; finalists announced Oct. 10, 2026; live pitches at Scientific Sessions Nov. 7–8; and winner announcement Nov. 9. The Health Tech Competition is a cornerstone of the Health Innovation Pavilion at Scientific Sessions and reflects the AHA’s ongoing commitment to accelerating innovation and fostering collaboration to improve health outcomes worldwide.
Interested companies can learn more and view terms and conditions at ahahealthtech.org/aha-health-tech-competition-2026. The AHA also highlighted the previous year’s winner, a Houston-based medical technology company that won the overall global health tech competition at Scientific Sessions 2025, demonstrating the program’s impact.
The competition underscores the AHA’s broader mission to ensure equitable health in all communities. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, the organization works to transform lives every day. For more information about the AHA’s initiatives, visit heart.org.
