The American Heart Association is now accepting applications for its 2026 Health Tech Competition, a global initiative designed to accelerate the adoption of innovative technologies in cardiovascular and brain health. Despite rapid advancements in digital health, artificial intelligence, and remote patient monitoring, many promising technologies still struggle to reach the patients who need them most. This competition aims to close that gap by connecting market-ready solutions with opportunities to scale into real-world care.
Hosted by the American Heart Association's Center for Technology & Innovation, the competition identifies and accelerates technologies that can transform how conditions like high blood pressure, stroke, and heart failure are prevented, diagnosed, and treated. Five finalists will be selected to pitch their solutions live at Scientific Sessions 2026, the Association's flagship global event for cardiovascular science, scheduled for November 6-9 at McCormick Place in Chicago.
The urgency of this initiative is underscored by the fact that cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death globally. Health systems are facing growing demand, workforce shortages, and rising costs, making scalable, data-driven solutions more critical than ever. The competition emphasizes clinical validation and alignment with evidence-based care, ensuring that selected technologies are positioned for real-world adoption. Unlike traditional startup competitions, this program focuses on solutions that actively engage patients, support clinicians, and demonstrate measurable potential to improve patient outcomes across various care settings.
"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, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association. "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. Key dates include: applications open now through September 18, 2026; five finalists announced on October 10, 2026; live pitches at Scientific Sessions on November 7-8, 2026; and the winner announced on November 9, 2026. The Health Tech Competition is a cornerstone of the Health Innovation Pavilion at Scientific Sessions, reflecting the Association's ongoing commitment to accelerating innovation and fostering collaboration to improve health outcomes worldwide.
For more information and to view terms and conditions, visit ahahealthtech.org/aha-health-tech-competition-2026. Additional resources include news about the Houston-based medical technology company that won the 2025 competition and the finalists named in the 2025 global health technology competition.
This year's competition builds on the success of previous events, which have highlighted the potential of technology to bridge the gap between innovation and patient care. By fostering collaboration among healthcare innovators, clinicians, researchers, and investors, the American Heart Association aims to accelerate the adoption of evidence-based technologies, ultimately improving outcomes for patients worldwide.
