Propel your vision forward

The Trailblazer HealthTech Accelerator is a dedicated platform for Ohio’s health care startups, offering targeted support and critical resources to fuel innovation and prepare startups for venture capital investment.

A Curriculum for Growth

The HealthTech accelerator is designed to help you level up, providing a deep dive into regulatory, clinical, reimbursement and commercialization strategies. This includes quantifying clinical and economic potential and building a roadmap for commercialization to get your startup ready to raise capital, navigate the regulatory path and demonstrate commercial value.

Additionally, the three-month intensive prepares you to demonstrate the benefits or your solution to a range of healthcare stakeholders including physicians, patients, health systems, payers and commercial partners.

Who can apply?

  • Startups based in Ohio or planning to relocate.

  • Startups with a venture-backable model or plans to develop one, with an understanding and willingness to pursue venture capital.

  • Founding teams with complementary skills and resources to achieve a minimum viable product (MVP).

  • Founders who are solving significant problems with the potential for high growth and scalability.

  • Startups with demonstrated initiative and tangible progress, supported by evidence of market validation.

Why apply?

  • 360-degree support with no fees or ownership stakes required.

  • Comprehensive, non-dilutive expert services that prepare your startup to raise capital and scale with confidence.

  • Dedicated EIRs for tailored advising and mentorship.

  • Subject matter experts and business analysts who understand the sector.

  • A targeted and proven education curriculum.

  • Lifelong entry to an influential alumni network.

  • A chance to pitch to leading investors and corporates.

Review Process

  • All applicants are pre-screened and assessed for alignment with the program’s objectives and offerings.

  • Strong applicants are advanced to interviews with our evaluation team.

  • Candidates are scored according to the following criteria to determine if companies are likely to raise venture capital within the next 12 months or less:

    • Market Need / Value Proposition
    • Market Size
    • Product Development Stage; Product Execution
    • Competition and Competitive Advantage
    • Understanding of the Sales Process / Target Customer
    • Sales Execution
    • Team Composition
    • CEO Coachability
    • Projected Outcomes

  • Selection notifications are sent approximately 3-4 weeks after applications close.

Program Highlights

  • 3-month hybrid program blending virtual learning with in-person sessions.

  • Additional 2-month advising support by a dedicated Entrepreneur-in-Residence.

  • Regular cohort sessions for networking and collaborative growth with peers, subject matter experts, and investors.

  • An in-person showcase to conclude the program and present your progress.

Important Dates

Next Application Close
February 8, 2026

Next Cohort Announcement
TBD

Next Cohort Program Dates
April 2, 2026 – June 11, 2026

Participation Requirements

Weekly virtual Curriculum Sessions
Thursdays, 9am-12pm ET

Weekly virtual meetings with your Advisor

In-Person Sessions
Kick-off, midpoint pitches and startup showcase.
Date and location to be confirmed.

Grow Faster With Expert Services & Partner Discounts

Your success is our success.

As part of the Trailblazer Accelerator, participants gain access to professional services designed to accelerate growth and strengthen readiness for venture investment.

Following the program, startups can continue to engage through our Preferred Partner and Membership Programs, unlocking exclusive discounts, expert guidance, and specialized support from a network of more than 200 vetted service providers. From product development and technical consulting to legal, marketing, and growth strategy, these partnerships provide powerful ways to scale, without giving up equity.

First $50,000 Fully Covered

JumpStart fully covers the first $50K, giving you access to top-tier service providers—funds must be used within the 3-month accelerator.

Meet The Experts

Surround your startup with industry leaders and health care experts. The accelerator provides direct access to seasoned entrepreneurs and sector specific advisors.

Andrew Pagels

Head of Portfolio & Managing Partner at Investable

Arnon Chait

President & CEO of Cleveland Diagnostics, Inc.

Bill Nemeth

Managing Partner at Carmen Ventures LLC

Carrie Nixon

Managing Partner at Nixon Gwilt Law

Charu Ramanathan

Co-Founder & CEO of vitalxchange

Donald B. Hawthorne

President of GTM® Hawthorne, Inc.

Duane Mancini

CEO & Founder of Project Medtech

Elizabeth Berezovsky

President and Founder of Red Oak Bio, LLC

Evan Bernath

Investment Associate at Rex Health Ventures

Jamie Easterling

Director, Commercial Group at Project Medtech

Jim Sergi

President & Founder at CSSi LifeSciences

Josh Borstein, Ph.D.

Investment Principal at JumpStart Ventures

Julianne Roseman

Principal, Digital Health Ventures at Plug and Play Tech Center

Dr. Kenneth Goetz

Medical Director, Clinical, Quality and Health Services at Medical Mutual

Larry Yost

Managing Partner at The Atticus Group, LLC

Liz Todia

Principal at Mutual Capital Partners

Matt Zenker

Director of Deal Flow and Investments at UH Ventures

Maura Rosenfeld

Chief Business Officer of MindUP

Patrick Murray, MD

Lead Medical Policy Consultant at Medical Mutual

Rebecca Walters

Principal Regulatory Consultant at Kaleidoscope Innovation

Rich Mazzola

CFO & Co-Founder of Project Medtech

Sean Ganley

Partner at Thompson Hine LLP

Taylor Aronhalt

JumpStart Entrepreneur-in-Residence (Healthcare Product Commercialization)

Todd Schwarzinger

Partner at Cleveland Clinic Ventures

Tony Siebel

Director of Design at Kaleidoscope Innovation

Ethan Cohen

President of Cohen Consulting LLC

Gary Smith

President and CEO of INFINITY Angioplasty Balloon Co., LLC

Howard Greenman

JumpStart Entrepreneur-in-Residence (Digital Health)

Kaleigh Gallagher

Vice President, Tech Services and Network Management

Tyler Kohrt

Program Manager

Evan Matuszak

Manager, Startup Engagement

Jaclyn Williams

Sr. Analyst, Market Research

Alison King

Director, Burton D. Morgan Mentoring Program

Haley Burk

Director, Network Management

Phelan Spence

Manager, Business Strategy Services

Rachna Lather

Director, Commercial Go-to-Market Strategy

Zeenat Nadvi

Manager, Preferred Partnerships

HealthTech Trailblazer FAQs

What is the purpose of the Trailblazer Accelerators?

The Trailblazer Accelerators are programs designed to prepare pre-seed and seed-stage technology startup companies for their next dilutive fundraise. Companies that are considering applying should have plans to raise venture capital within 12 months of completing the program.

Our accelerators are industry-specific, but some companies may be a fit for multiple accelerators. For example, a software company selling to hospital systems may fit both the Software and HealthTech accelerators. We recommend scheduling time with a JumpStart advisor to discuss which accelerator will be the best fit for your company.

JumpStart provides each cohort company with $50,000 to be spent on projects with members of our Preferred Partner Program (PPP). The PPP is a regional network of service providers that offer discounted rates on product development, business development, and strategic/advisory services. The money must be used on new projects, and must be used within the time frame of the accelerator.

Yes! We encourage companies to reapply once they have integrated the feedback they received from the last application cycle to achieve new progress and demonstrate new traction. We encourage companies to take advantage of our Office Hours—a recurring meeting that is set with a JumpStart advisor—to update us on the progress of your company.

JumpStart has a number of Network Partners throughout Ohio who we can connect you to. These partners will meet you at the current stage of your company’s development to help grow and guide you to become a more qualified candidate for a future accelerator.

Trailblazer HealthTech Accelerator Application