The process of translating clinical research into practical medical applications can be lengthy, taking an average of 17 years for best practices to become widely adopted. This delay can prevent groundbreaking research from reaching the patients who need it most.
AHA Ventures, launched by the American Heart Association (AHA), is a venture capital platform focused on funding early-stage companies in the medical devices, health technology, and health services sectors. Its aim is to enhance health and hope for individuals, particularly in cardiovascular and brain health, by supporting innovative solutions that bridge the gap between research and real-world application.
AHA Ventures recognizes that social determinants significantly impact health outcomes, with 80% of health issues stemming from various conditions individuals experience throughout their lives. These factors disproportionately affect under-resourced and underrepresented populations, leading to significant health disparities. To address this, AHA Ventures has established Social Impact Funds that support both for-profit and nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving healthcare access, quality, food security, and economic stability. By integrating evidence-based science with community insights, AHA Ventures aims to create sustainable health solutions and promote equity in healthcare access and outcomes.
Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death among women, yet there are significant gaps in care and access. To address this issue, the Go Red for Women Venture Fund has been established by AHA Ventures. This fund provides capital to for-profit companies focused on improving health access and outcomes for women across all stages of life. By prioritizing funding for women's health innovations, AHA Ventures aims to close the gender gap in healthcare investment and ensure that women's health issues receive the attention they deserve.
Since its establishment in 2017, Cardeation Capital, the first venture fund established by the American Heart Association, has played a crucial role in bringing transformative health innovations to market. Through funding and support, Cardeation Capital has helped companies like Zeto and BardyDX develop technologies that simplify brain EEGs and heart monitoring, respectively.
AHA Ventures has launched Studio Red, an incubator that combines scientific research with entrepreneurial expertise and capital to address unmet market needs and develop new companies focused on tackling pressing health challenges.
AHA Ventures has also partnered with MDisrupt to strengthen the connection between Association-affiliated experts and companies seeking evidence-based knowledge, further enhancing the commercialization of groundbreaking health solutions.
By balancing health impact, equity, and financial returns, AHA Ventures aims to catalyze the commercialization of clinical and scientific innovations in cardiovascular and brain health. With heart disease and stroke remaining leading causes of death and disability in the United States, the need for effective health solutions is urgent. Through its multifaceted approach, AHA Ventures is advancing the field of cardiovascular and brain health while ensuring that the benefits of innovation reach those who need them most.