The National Empowered to Serve Business Accelerator is a virtual, six-week training and grant program to help you rapidly scale your health impact-focused business. Although it has a condensed timeline, the accelerator delivers powerful results — pushing you to refine your business model, accelerate growth and craft a compelling brand story with expert feedback every step of the way.
Program Structure
- A cohort of 10 to 12 founders are selected from across the U.S.
- Founders participate in a six-week training, led by industry experts, designed to refine their pitch decks, and develop a health impact “moonshot statement” and a brand story.
- Founders will present at a culmination event where judges and advisers provide invaluable insights and feedback. Explore the list of the 2024 advisers
- Select finalists will receive grant funding and complimentary access to the upcoming Scientific Sessions.
What are we looking for?
The EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator Accelerator is looking for a diverse pool of founders of nonprofit and for-profit pre-seed, seed and Series A companies making a health impact and addressing a social driver of health.
Interested founders should have a business that focuses on health optimization and social drivers of health in one of the following areas:
- Health innovation/technology (apps, health tech and medical devices)
- Health care access
- Food/nutrition security
- Education
- Neighborhood conditions
- Transportation
- Environmental quality
- Employment/economic stability
- Housing
Information Session
Learn what to expect throughout the application process and beyond.
Benefits
- Nonequity grant funding available
- Complimentary access to Scientific Sessions for top two founders
- Evaluation from the American Heart Association’s Center for Health Metrics
- Six-week training
- Networking with like-minded entrepreneurs
- Review, feedback and expert advice from industry experts
- Be a part of the AHA’s entrepreneurial ecosystem
You will complete five phases during the six-week training:
You’ll pinpoint the core problem you’re solving and craft a concise 10-word statement. A moonshot tackles a monumental challenge with a radical solution powered by breakthrough technology.
Our expert team will thoroughly evaluate your brand’s vision and proposed health impact solution(s). Using advanced data analysis, we’ll provide a detailed impact assessment report. The report is a vital foundation, empowering you to refine your brand’s strategies.
After crafting a powerful moonshot and envisioning its realization, you will dig deeper into understanding your “customers” or community through scientific and qualitative research. You’ll learn the skills to identify subtle cues that provide invaluable insights, enhancing the impact your brand delivers.
Value Mapping and Business Model Analysis offer insights vital for strategic decision-making, innovation and boosting your brand’s competitiveness. By understanding value dynamics within your community’s ecosystem, you’ll adapt your business model to better meet community needs — maximizing your brand’s potential impact.
We will work together to determine — based on outcomes from your CX and Design Thinking work — how best to align the brand’s type and experience. We’ll focus on your brand, brand type and the customer experience you must deliver to achieve optimal results. Together, we will craft an impactful three-minute narrative that can be shared at the showcase.
Who should apply?
- Must be 18 years or older
- Founders of nonprofit or pre-seed, seed or Series A startups
- Company must have an office in the U.S. and have a health impact in the U.S.
- Innovation must address equitable health
- Must be the founder or CEO
2025 Timeline
- Application period:
May 1 – June 30 - Top candidates notified by: July 31
- Pre-accelerator: Aug. 5–15
- Training: Aug. 18 – Sept. 26
- Showcase Finale: Oct. 23
- Scientific Sessions: Nov. 8–10
Innovate or Die Podcast
Get ready to apply.
Our team can’t wait to work with you.
Michelle Raphael
American Heart Association, Business Accelerator LeadMichelle Raphael
American Heart Association, Business Accelerator Lead
Michelle is a highly experienced program development and marketing strategist that will be the main point of contact for the Business Accelerator founders. Over the past 12 years, she has been instrumental in advancing health equity initiatives at the AHA and overseen the accelerator from inception to management of all facets of the program’s operations. Her responsibilities encompass strategic planning, program development, relationship management and operational leadership.
Under Michelle’s guidance, the Empowered to Serve Business Accelerator has achieved remarkable growth and success. What began as a modest initiative distributing $35,000 in grants has rapidly expanded — now funding over $1.3 million into its eighth year. The accelerator has also attracted underrepresented founders from across the health equity and digital tech landscape, underscoring Michelle’s adeptness at cultivating a vibrant and inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Arika Cason
American Heart Association, Senior LeadArika Cason
American Heart Association, Senior Lead
Arika Cason is a 25-year accomplished veteran in program development, marketing, and communications. She is a key strategist and implementer of the Empowered to Serve initiative, successfully leading the charge for health equity programs, including the business accelerator. Over the past ten years, she has been a critical part of advancing health equity at the American Heart Association and supported the accelerator from inception to oversight of all components of the program’s operations. Arika works alongside Michelle in strategic planning, program development, partnership management, and operations of the Empowered Business Accelerator.
Pamela Garmon Johnson
American Heart Association, VP of Health Equity and National PartnershipsPamela Garmon Johnson
American Heart Association, VP of Health Equity and National Partnerships
Pamela Garmon Johnson is driven by a mission to amplify the voices of marginalized communities. Through her work, she connects and scales community-centered health equity solutions for transformative change. Pamela partners with brands committed to sustainable and intentional community impact. With 26 years of experience catalyzing change in the health sector, she brings an empowering and innovative energy to her work, particularly valuing innovation and technology for advancing health outcomes. Currently serving as the VP of Health Equity and National Partnerships at the American Heart Association, Pamela is dedicated to identifying opportunities to close care gaps and improve access to heart health resources.
Christa Chambers-Price
Empowered to Serve Business Accelerator Program Architect and FacilitatorChrista Chambers-Price
Empowered to Serve Business Accelerator Program Architect and Facilitator
Christa’s career journey — from Army National Guard combat telecommunications specialist veteran to FBI Headquarters fingerprint analyst to thriving brand storytelling and marketing strategist — spans more than 25 years.
Since 2017, she has been instrumental in designing the curriculum and leading the training for the American Heart Association’s business accelerator. Christa specializes in challenging the founder’s cognitive biases, improving a brand’s focus and competitive advantage, and brand storytelling. She transforms ambitious ideas into scalable solutions.
Under Christa’s guidance, accelerator alumni have achieved notable success, including acquisitions and securing substantial funding in Seed, Series A and B rounds.
Christa is a proud alumna of the University of Michigan and Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business’s Leadership and Innovation program, where she further honed her leadership skills and innovative thinking.
Support the Accelerator
Join us in helping make equitable health a reality. We invite you to support our innovative founders by providing access to capital, mentorship, and resource networks.
