CAMBRIDGE, Mass., October 8, 2024 – A Cambridge, Mass., medical technology startup, dedicated to improving outcomes for heart failure patients, has been chosen as a competitive finalist for a nationwide American Heart Association initiative. The program offers financial and technical assistance to local companies focused on addressing health disparities within the community. Empallo has applied for $75,000 in funding to benefit heart disease patients nationwide.
Across the United States, start-up businesses are igniting impact in their communities by founding enterprises designed to help people improve their quality of life. Evidence suggests that innovative solutions from health technology to farming can help close health equity gaps resulting from barriers to the availability of health care resources and services.[1] The American Heart Association, celebrating 100 years as a global force for longer healthier lives for all, has selected 11 business founders across the country to participate in the EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator™ program. The accelerator provides technical training, evaluation and funding to enhance their local business models.
The finalists include Claire Beskin, founder of Empallo. Empallo is solving the $30 billion challenge of high expenditure coupled with poor outcomes among U.S. heart failure patients. Empallo is an AI-powered virtual clinic that optimizes therapy planning by cardiologists and shifts an appropriate range of medication titration activities to advanced practice providers, nurses and software solutions. They created a new market where heart failure patients no longer need to make frequent trips (often over long distances) to brick-and-mortar health centers; rather, they can access specialty heart failure care from the convenience of their home, extending their quality life years by decades. Empallo's approach aims to address the specialist shortage, reduce costs and improve patient outcomes.
This year, the 11 finalists were selected from nearly 300 nationwide applicants based on the strength of their existing business models, as well as their ability to impact health equity barriers at the local level. The finalists will be formally evaluated by the Association’s professional science health metrics evaluation experts and scored based on a variety of evidence-based criteria – health impact, innovation and scalability. The winners will receive business development financial grants of $75,000.
Finalists must identify and address a specific, measurable, health impact case study. Finalist candidates will incorporate their company story with the practical business models taught as part of the program. Final grant recipients will ultimately be selected by an independent panel of judges that includes tech entrepreneurs and small business investment experts at the virtual finale on October 9, 2024.
“With the knowledge gained in the EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator, these local change makers will be well suited to take the next steps to improve health and wellness where they are needed most in our community,” said Karen Whitefield, the American Heart Association’s executive director in Greater Boston. “We are eager to see the innovative breakthroughs that will come from this experience.”
Now in its eighth year, the Business Accelerator has engaged and celebrated the work of more than 160 individuals, non-profits and for-profits, who are developing innovative ways to impact the health of the communities where they live, work and play.
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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for a century. During 2024 - our Centennial year - we celebrate our rich 100-year history and accomplishments. As we forge ahead into our second century of bold discovery and impact our vision is to advance health and hope for everyone, everywhere. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
About the American Heart Association’s EmPOWERED to Serve Business AcceleratorTM
The application process runs from May through June each year and selected candidates participate in six weeks of intensive, online business training. The program’s core curriculum offers formal instruction on design thinking, customer discovery, market positioning, brand development, fundraising, and other essential business functions to help entrepreneurs enhance their business models and demonstrate the viability of their projects. Participant plans and presentations are judged by a panel of experts in the business, community and health sectors.
For Media Inquiries:
Chris Camire, 781-373-4521, chris.camire@heart.org
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org
