Winners Announced for the American Heart Association Health Tech Competition!
At the 2024 AHA Health Tech Competition in Chicago (November 16-18), five finalists showcased innovative cardiovascular health solutions: Rheoxtech, Proton Intelligence, Powerful Medical, Heka Heart, and Flow Medical.
Powerful Medical won the overall competition and the Science subcategory with their AI tools for diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease. In the form of a smartphone application, the certified Class IIb medical device interprets any 12-lead ECG image in under 5 seconds to provide an accurate diagnosis for individual treatment recommendations tailored to each patient. HekaHeart won the Business category as the virtual first GDMT-led heart failure clinic.
The distinguished judging panel included:
- Dr. Robert Harrington (Weil Cornell Medicine)
- Dr. Domenico Cianflone (Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele)
- Dr. Lee Schwamm (Yale New Haven Health)
- Dr. Marat Fudim (Duke University)
- Dr. Mike McConnell (Stanford)
- Dr. Tiffany Powell (NIH)
- Dr. Joseph Wu (Stanford Cardiovascular Institute)
- Ken Nelson (MedTech Advantage Fund)
- Lisa Suennen (AHA Ventures)
- Jeff Trost (Laerdal Million Lives Fund)
- Devon Bream (GE Healthcare)
- Craig Beam (Beam and Associates)
This year’s celebrity judge was Star Jones, who evaluated the companies based on their scientific rigor, business potential, and impact on patient outcomes.
About the Competition
How Does It Work
Our unique two-pitch format allows each finalist company ample time to showcase how their breakthrough health technology has the business rigor, scientific evidence and scalability to impact millions of lives affected by cardiovascular and stroke health issues.
Saturday, November 16th: Finalists present their solutions, business plans, and go-to-market strategies with a health equity lens to an esteemed panel of business, venture capital, and health technology experts.
Sunday, November 17th: Finalists return to pitch how their solution aligns with AHA science to a panel of expert clinicians, researchers, and scientists. Afterward, finalists, judges, and attendees will gather for the awards ceremony, hosted by AHA CEO Nancy Brown, to reveal the winning company.
Throughout the conference, finalists will interact and network with Scientific Session’s attendees as they visit the Health Innovation Pavilion strategically located in the heart of the Science and Technology Exhibit Hall.
Who Should Apply?
If you're an emerging health technology company with a developed product, tested business model and demonstrated data and evidence of potential efficacy and impact, the Center for Health Technology and Innovation wants to hear from you! To be considered, companies should have
Market Ready, Innovative Product
Fully Developed Business Model
Promising Data and/or evidence (i.e. Proof of concept, pilot study, published study)
Customers (e.g. commercial pilot or paying clients for their solution)
What Therapeutic or Condition Areas:
Innovation(s) in Digital Health, Wellness or Virtual/Telehealth Cardiac or Stroke that is aligned with or based on AHA or validated Science and has a sustainable business model
Product(s) or solutions that engage and support a patient or patient treatment and solve a large or pervasive problem in Antithrombotic, CAD/ACS, Cardiometabolic, Cardiovascular Kidney Metabolic (CKM) Syndrome, Electrophysiology, Heart Failure, HTN, Imaging, Lipids, ReSS, Stroke, Surgery or Vascular Medicine
Technologies OR novel innovative approaches to treat, diagnose or care for patients through any or any combination of: Wearables or devices, AI or ML, RPM, or Clinical Decision Support
What will Competitors be Judged On:
Each company will pitch twice, one on Saturday, November 16th (“Business”) and one on Sunday, November 17th (“Science”) :
Pitch 1, Business:
Overview of company, history, solution/product, and technology
Business plan, go-to-market strategy with a health equity lens
Key differentiators/IP
Pitch 2, Science:
Alignment of your health technology-based solution with AHA science and guidelines
Demonstration of efficacy and outcomes with supporting evidence
Potential for significant health impact
Why Apply?
All Finalists Receive
Opportunity to present during the Health Tech Competition in the Health Innovation Pavilion at Scientific Sessions in Chicago on November 16th-17th, 2024
Inclusion in the AHA Press Release announcing the finalists
Two Exhibit Hall passes to 2024 AHA Scientific Sessions
10% discount on sponsorships, pods and other opportunities
Access to approved AHA logo and marketing materials to promote your selection as a finalist
Access to video assets and marketing materials from the competition
Invitations to future AHA health tech events
Winner Receives
Featured in AHA’s official press release as the 2024 Health Tech Competition Winner
Complementary one-year membership in the AHA Innovators’ Network, with full access to membership benefits
Participate in advisory meetings with the AHA Center for Health Technology & Innovation leadership
Mentoring and guidance from AHA Volunteer leadership and judges
Invitations to upcoming CHTI networking and educational events
Opportunity to promote your company via a link on the CHTI’s website and via social media mentions/shares
Use of the CHTI American Heart Association Innovators’ Network servicemark on your company website and marketing materials
Access to video assets and marketing materials from the competition
How to Apply?
Applications open on July 25th, 2024, and close on Friday, October 11th, 2024. Applications are no longer being accepted. Finalists were notified on Friday, October 25th, 2024
Clear your calendar and plan your travel for AHA Scientific Sessions in Chicago, IL, November 16th-17th, 2024 (Finalists must be able to attend in person for all three elements of the competition)
If chosen, you must submit slide decks for your two 5-minute pitch presentations (1. Business Case & 2. Scientific Case) using the provided AHA template. Presentations are due 5 days prior to the competition.
Prepare for the spotlight that comes with winning the American Heart Association Center for Health Technology & Innovation Health Tech Competition!
