Participate in a MATTER Challenge
These competitions invite innovators — like you — to collaborate with our partner organizations on solving the most pressing issues in healthcare.
Now open for submissions:
There are no challenges open for submission at this time.
2026 National EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator
Submission deadline: Apr 27 at 11:59pm
Winners announced: Jun 1 at 12:00am
The Empowered to Serve Business Accelerator is designed for founders who are building health-focused businesses and navigating complex systems where progress depends on real adoption. This program goes beyond polishing pitches. It helps innovators better understand how decisions are made, where barriers show up, and how meaningful change takes root.
2026 Beyond Barriers Innovation Accelerator
Submission deadline: Apr 28 at 11:59pm
Winners announced: May 15 at 12:00am
Beyond Type 1, in partnership with MATTER, is offering up to $50,000 in grant funding for innovative diabetes solutions through the 2026 Beyond Barriers Innovation Accelerator. The Beyond Barriers program supports organizations and social entrepreneurs bringing solutions directly into the communities that need them most.
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2026 SMILE Health Accelerator
Submission deadline: May 13 at 11:59pm
Winners announced:
SMILE Health is the accelerator that supports innovators who challenge norms and are ready to advance solutions that improve accessibility, equity and the integration between oral health and overall health. Now in its fifth year, SMILE Health is a collaboration between CareQuest Innovation Partners and MATTER to advance emerging startups by curating connections to investors and customers, sharpening their value proposition and supporting diverse founders.
Challenges no longer accepting applications:
Paratus Digital Health Accelerator — Non-dilutive Funding
Paratus Digital Health Accelerator — Non-dilutive Funding for Traumatic Brain Injury Assessment
AbbVie Foundation Health Equity Accelerator 2026
Sponsored by The AbbVie Foundation
Paratus Digital Health Accelerator — Cohort 3
AGA Incubator: Improving GI Care
Sponsored by American Gastroenterological Association
VSP Vision Innovation Challenge 2025
Sponsored by VSP Vision
2025 U.S. Market Validation Study Program
Sponsored by KOSME
SMILE Health 2025
Paratus Digital Health Accelerator — Cohort 2
2024-25 Advancing Brain Health Challenge
Sponsored by Lundbeck US Charitable Fund
Heart of Innovation HBCU Challenge
Paratus Digital Health Accelerator — Cohort 1
AbbVie Foundation Health Equity Accelerator
Sponsored by The AbbVie Foundation
2024 Accelerating Innovation in Aging
Sponsored by RRF Foundation for Aging, Next50 and The Samuels Foundation
2024 Loyola Chicago Health Equity Quest
VSP Vision Innovation Challenge 2024
Sponsored by VSP Vision
Future HealthTech Leaders: An Innovation Challenge
Sponsored by Healthcare Education, Research, and Innovation Foundation
SMILE Health 2024
Sponsored by CareQuest Innovation Partners
Respiratory Care Innovation Challenge
51 Labs: A women's health accelerator
Sponsored by Health Care Service Corporation, Laerdal Million Lives Fund, BayCare, Parkview Health, University of Chicago Medicine, Organon and Stryker
Second Annual Alzheimer’s Association® Pitch Competition
MATTER Momentum Accelerator: Class 3
Sponsored by MDisrupt
2023 Accelerating Innovation in Aging
Sponsored by RRF Foundation for Aging
2023 Healthy Kids Healthy Future
Sponsored by Parkview Health
U.S. Market Adoption Program 2023
Sponsored by KOSME
SMILE Health 2023
Sponsor CareQuest Innovation Partners
MATTER Momentum Accelerator: Class 2
Alzheimer's Association Pitch Competition
Sponsored by Alzheimer's Association
2023 Restoring Brain Health Innovation Challenge
Supported by: Lundbeck US Charitable Fund
Oncology to Optometry Innovation Accelerator
2022 Healthy Mom and Baby Innovation Competition 3.0
Sponsored by Parkview Health
2022 Loyola Chicago Health Equity Quest
SMILE Health
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Accelerating Innovation in Aging
Sponsored by RRF Foundation for Aging
2022 University Hackathon
Sponsored by Baxter
U.S. Market Adoption Program
Sponsored by KOSME
HEALTHY MOM & BABY COMPETITION 2.0
Sponsored by Parkview Health
2021 Cigna Innovation Challenge
Sponsored by Cigna
Health Equity Innovation: A Chicago Business Accelerator
In Collaboration with YWCA Metropolitan Chicago
Beyond the Doctor's Office Innovation Accelerator
Sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL)
2021 Roche Diabetes Care Innovation Challenge
Sponsored by Roche Diabetes Care
2021 Health Tech Venture Challenge
Sponsored by Advocate Aurora Health
PULMONARY FIBROSIS INNOVATION CHALLENGE
Sponsored by Three Lakes Foundation
2020 Pandemic Response Innovation Challenge
Sponsored by Anthem, Inc. and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois
HEALTHY MOM & BABY INNOVATION COMPETITION
Sponsored by Parkview Health
ROCHE DIABETES CARE INNOVATION CONTEST
Sponsored by Roche Diabetes Care
2019-2020 Novo Nordisk Innovation Challenge
Sponsored by Novo Nordisk
2019 Health Tech Venture Challenge
Sponsored by Advocate Aurora Health
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2018 Health Tech Venture Challenge
Sponsored by Advocate Aurora Health
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2018-2019 Novo Nordisk Innovation Challenge
Sponsored by Novo Nordisk
Health Equity Innovation Challenge
Sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois
2023 Takeda PDT Innovation Challenge
Sponsored by Takeda
BRIDGE
In collaboration with YWCA Metropolitan Chicago
Sponsor a MATTER Challenge
Looking to find meaningful solutions to a healthcare challenge? MATTER designs custom competitions that tap into a global community of healthcare innovators to solve important problems. Read about a previous MATTER Challenge.
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