Paratus Digital Health Accelerator — Non-dilutive funding

We invite startups and university-backed projects to apply for non-dilutive funding ranging from $20,000 to $180,000. This funding supports the development, evaluation or validation of innovative digital health solutions aligned with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority’s (BARDA) mission to enhance pandemic preparedness and health security.

MATTER’s Paratus Digital Health Accelerator provides funding and support services to help entrepreneurs validate clinical, technical and business elements of their product and company by working with health systems or other established partners. Uniquely, Paratus is able to connect innovators with mission-aligned study sites to support their solutions.

These discrete projects will evaluate a specific hypothesis for novel digital health medical countermeasures. Most projects will be less than six weeks, although longer projects will also be considered and supported.

Across these areas, we are interested in digital health solutions that can support preparedness, health readiness and mobilization.

Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Technologies to enhance clinical trials for medical countermeasures (MCMs), which could include innovations for improved trial diversity, enhanced recruitment and retention or optimized trial design.
• At-home digital diagnostics and telemedicine solutions that utilize artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) approaches for diagnosis and risk assessment.
• Novel approaches to collect, process, evaluate and validate real-world evidence for therapeutics, devices and diagnostics, including use of AI/ML.
• Digital twin approaches using multimodal clinical data, including AI (e.g., EHR, imaging, unstructured notes) for early identification, endotyping or treatment guidance for disease severity to enable early intervention.
• Integrated capabilities to identify deterioration in the pre-hospital setting to assist in assessing, diagnosing and treating CBRN (Chemical, Burn, Radiological, Nuclear) mass casualty patients. For example, innovations that enable sensor data collection, AI model development, responder- and clinician-facing user interfaces and tools that can facilitate integration with larger healthcare enterprises.

1. Quick-hit projects that will span six or fewer weeks, funded between $20,000 and $40,000. Up to twelve projects will be funded
   
2. In-depth projects that will span up to twelve weeks, funded between $100,000 and $180,000. Up to four projects will be funded

• Advance technologies currently in development to the next milestones and value inflection points
• Engage a study site to complete validation work
• Increase access and enable faster dissemination of medical countermeasures
• Reduce cost of medical countermeasures
• Improve platforms in development to advance clinical research and clinical care coordination

We recognize that reaching the next inflection point requires answering key questions for many companies, ranging from clinical- and business-related to product- or platform-specific questions. Paratus has both expert mentors and study site partners available to help answer these questions.

Intended to be discrete, non-pilot, non-internal review board (IRB) engagements, these efforts quickly answer questions that help drive businesses forward. Please see a non-exhaustive example of the types of work that could be conducted as part of the program’s scope. Participants would focus on one or two key questions as part of this engagement.

We have an established group of partners that will accept studies as part of the Paratus programs. This network of health systems and other partners can be leveraged to conduct specific studies. If you are a company with specific needs, we can take your solution to this network to find a match; the cost for engagement will be incorporated into the study’s funding.

We will evaluate submissions with the following criteria in mind:

• Ability to clearly articulate problem statement
• Demonstration of the quality, feasibility and scalability of proposed solution
• Differentiation of solution within the competitive landscape
• Capability of participant to develop and execute solution
• Description of the funding opportunity and how it can advance solution
• Extent to which Paratus can advance solution (i.e., mission fit)

Startups and studies will receive project management support and regular mentoring from subject matter experts over the award duration. Additional benefits of participation include the following:

• Non-dilutive funding to complete a time-bound development, evaluation or validation study around their concept
• Mentorship from industry leaders and subject matter experts
• Exposure to potential investors, partners and clients

December 18, 2025: Preliminary applications open
January 17 and January 28, 2025: Information session webinars
January 31, 2025: Preliminary applications close
February 28, 2025: Selection decisions and invitations to submit full application
March and onward: Awards, milestone-based funding and program services begin

We’re seeking entrepreneurs and university-backed researchers who are developing digital health solutions that will empower the nation to better prepare for and respond to health security threats and improve the continuum of clinical care.

This global call for solutions is open to startups with an established proof of concept, evidence of product-market fit and business model potential.

This program is conducted virtually. Participants must be available to commit approximately five hours each week during the duration of their study.

See the full Terms and Conditions and Frequently Asked Questions.

At MATTER, we believe collaboration is the best way to improve healthcare. The MATTER collaborative includes more than 1,000 current and alumni startups from around the world, working together with dozens of hospitals and health systems, universities and industry-leading companies to build the future of healthcare. Together we are accelerating innovation, advancing care and improving lives. For more information, visit matter.health and follow @MATTERhealth.

The BARDA Accelerator Network aims to provide comprehensive support to health security innovators, startups and BARDA portfolio companies through wrap-around accelerator services, technical and business/commercialization expertise, and resources. The network will facilitate the rapid development, evaluation, validation and commercialization of medical countermeasures.