Ignite Accelerator Program 2024

Women Shaping the Future of Healthcare

Ignite Health has created an incredible community of healthcare experts, investors, and advisors to support female entrepreneurs creating novel solutions to improve healthcare. This includes healthcare IT, SaaS, digital health, and mobile health companies as well as medical device, and diagnostic companies. Our sole focus is to support the success of women-led healthcare companies, and our organization is led by women who have deep expertise in the industry.

Ignite Health's Accelerator Program provides a unique, contact-rich experience to participating startups. Ignite Health's Mentoring Program matches entrepreneurs with potential customers and investors for advice and guidance sessions. Ignite Health's vast network of Advisors spans the country bringing expertise and networks to add value to healthcare startups. Participating startups will also benefit from attending a variety of interactive virtual learning sessions conducted by industry leaders, connecting with personal advisors, investors and experts from across the healthcare sector, as well as gaining a long-term relationship with Ignite’s national network. If you are invited to pitch live at the Fire Pitch Competition, you will have the opportunity to compete for investment and pilot prizes as well as receive various in-kind perks.

Please note that there is a $125 application fee. if selected to participate in the Accelerator Program, the entrance fee is $1,500. This helps Ignite Health to cover costs not covered by sponsorships and contributions.

Here are key dates:

July 22, 2024 - Application period ends.

August 19, 2024 - Announce the founders selected to participate.

August 22, 2024 at 11a (central) Cohort Orientation/Meet & Greet - This virtual session will welcome the founders, provide more detailed information about the program, and introduce founders to one another.

August 26 - October 9, 2024 Partners Mentoring Program and Virtual Learning Sessions. Each founder is matched with a curated group of mentors representing her company's potential customers and investors for several one on one sessions. The program's learning curriculum is virtual with each session limited to 8-12 founders. Our goal is to enable conversations with presenters and also with fellow founders - building relationships while also learning. Ignite's signature value proposition is entry into our community - gaining exposure to and building relationships with experts who can support the success of their startups. A wonderful by-product has been the many relationships built among our founders.

October 15 and 16, 2024 Virtual Semi-Final Pitch Rounds - Founders will pitch virtually competing for their place at the Annual Fire Pitch Competition. A group of 8-12 industry experts serve as judges for this event.

October 18, 2024 Finalists for the Fire Pitch Competition will be announced.

October 30, 2024, Flash Mentoring Session This 90-minute session is like speed dating to introduce Finalists to additional mentors - a new mentor every 15 minutes.

November 13, 2024, VIP Reception at III by Wolfgang Puck at the Texas Medical Center in Houston, Texas

November 14, 2024, The Annual Fire Pitch Competition at TMC Innovation Factory in Houston, Texas