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Deadline to apply is Jan. 9, 2026

Don't miss the 2026 Innovation Pitch Challenge March 28-29, 2026, in New Orleans, LA during ACC.26.

The ACC Health Care Innovation Member Section is looking for start-up companies in the cardiovascular space for the 2026 Innovation Pitch Challenge. Eight companies will be selected to present their company and product at the Future Hub in front of a live audience and expert panel of judges. Each finalist will have 5 minutes to pitch followed by a 5-minute Q&A session.

Important Dates and Deadlines

• Jan. 20, 2026 – Judges Decision
• Jan. 23, 2026 – Notification of Decision
• March 28-29, 2026 – Pitch Days

Rules for the Pitch

• Oral pitches for the Challenge can be no longer than 5 minutes each, followed by 5 minutes of questions from our panelists. Extra time is not allowed.
• Final pitches must be made live and in person at ACC.26 in New Orleans, LA by a single designated presenter listed in the application.
• After the pitch, judges will have additional time to ask questions.
• Final pitch decks will need to be provided electronically to the organizers at least one week before the finals.

Audience: The pitch competition is one of the most highly attended sessions at Future Hub, providing start-ups a unique opportunity to pitch to potential investors, experts from the NHLBI, clinicians and researchers.

Application Fee: There is no fee to enter the competition. Applicants selected as finalists will need to pitch in-person at the ACC.26 Future Hub. Free registration will be provided for two representatives of each team. Presenters are responsible for making their own arrangements for travel and lodging.

Prizes

All finalists receive:

• Up to two free registrations to ACC.26 ($1,598 in value) in New Orleans, LA | March 28-30, 2026
• A high visibility platform, pitching in-front of hundreds of physicians, key opinion leaders, investors and partners.

Winners receives:

10x10 Expo Hall Booth Space (right next to Future Hub) at ACC.27