HMH Emerge

Any North America-based healthcare startup that meets the following criteria:

• Focus Areas – Solutions must align with one of this year’s focus areas:
  • Improve early identification, monitoring, and prevention of postpartum complications during the first 3–6 months after childbirth, including high blood pressure, postpartum hemorrhage, and early signs of postpartum depression
  • Support success under the CMS TEAM model by improving care coordination, cost management, quality outcomes, and equity for coronary artery bypass graft procedures, joint replacement procedures, and congestive heart failure
• Demonstrable Solutions – Innovations must be beyond the idea stage and capable of being demonstrated as a working prototype, pilot, or commercialized product
• Intellectual Property Protection – We prefer (but do not require) solutions that have a patent, a patent application filed, or another form of legal protection in place
• An Established Team – A dedicated team is required to support development, execution, and scaling

For the initial submission, we ask that you do not provide any proprietary information. Once we select the startups who will be in the program, we will work with each of those to sign NDAs and protect proprietary information.

All startups accepted into the program will receive mentorship by our HMH team members to learn about the U.S. healthcare market, how to partner with an organization like HMH, how to envision a pilot for the U.S. healthcare market, and how to refine their pitch for an organization like HMH.

The finalists may also receive additional mentorship, partnership, piloting, and/or investment after they give their final pitch. There is no single prize amount, and there is no upfront equity transfer. All prizes and associated equity transfers (whether based on financial or in-kind investments), if any, will be determined with HMH and the chosen startups on a case-by-case basis.

We realize this may be different from most pitch competitions. The intention is to keep this opportunity open to healthcare startups across development, funding, and maturity spectra. Startups at different stages will have unique needs. We want to be sure to identify the best specific support for each startup with whom HMH ultimately determines to accept.

No. There is no cost to apply or participate in the HMH Emerge Program, and you are not required to give up any equity in your company to be considered or to take part in the program.

If, after the program, HMH and your organization choose to move forward with a pilot, partnership, or other collaboration, HMH may provide financial or in-kind support. In those cases, any commercial terms, including potential equity, would be discussed and negotiated at that time based on the structure of the engagement and mutual agreement between both parties.

The HMH Emerge Program is a pitch competition focused on North America-based healthcare startups. This year’s program is specifically designed to engage startups from the United States, Canada, and Mexico and connect them directly with Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH) clinicians, operators, and innovation leaders to explore real-world implementation opportunities.

The program begins with a high-level application and short video pitch. From those submissions, HMH selects five startups to participate in a structured pitch development period. During this time, teams receive targeted input and guidance to refine their value proposition, strengthen their approach to working within a health system, and shape a potential pilot or partnership opportunity with HMH.

At the conclusion of the program, the top startups present to HMH leadership and key stakeholders. Based on those presentations, HMH may choose to move forward with one or more startups through pilot discussions, partnerships, mentorship, and/or investment. There is no fixed number of winners, and outcomes are determined based on strategic fit and mutual interest.

The program runs over approximately 16 weeks and is designed to move efficiently from application through final pitch.

• Launch Date: April 15, 2026
• Application Deadline: June 24, 2026
• Initial Review Period: June 25 – July 9, 2026
• Top 5 Notification: July 10, 2026
• Pitch Development Period: July 13 – August 7, 2026
• Final Pitch: August 10 – 14, 2026

Participation is simple. Click here to apply!

If you cannot find the information you need here, please contact us at oic@hmhn.org.

Or click here to schedule a 15-minute meeting with our team.

The program begins with an open application process. Following review, five startups are selected to participate in a structured pitch development period where they work directly with HMH stakeholders to refine their solution and approach.

At the end of the program, the top ones present to HMH leadership. There is no fixed number of winners. Instead, HMH determines which startups to engage with further based on strategic fit, feasibility, and overall alignment, and works with those teams individually to define next steps.

Applications are reviewed by an interdisciplinary group of HMH clinicians, operators, and innovation leaders. Submissions are evaluated based on clinical relevance, feasibility, scalability, potential impact, and alignment with HMH priorities.

Final presentations are evaluated based on strategic fit and the practicality of implementing the solution within a health system environment.

Unfortunately, we can only accept 5 startups into the program due to time and resource constraints. That means that many amazing ideas will not make it into the program for no other reason than our time and resource constraints or specific needs at that time. As such, we will strive to continue to engage with all applicants to see if there is an appropriate time in the future to partner either in a formal or informal manner.

No. You are more than welcome to participate in all elements of the program virtually. If you would like to join us in person for the pitches, we would love to have you. However, HMH will not be able to cover any costs for you and your team to participate in person.

Yes! We offer 15-minute virtual office hours to answer your questions and help you determine if your startup is a good fit. Schedule a session here.

During the office hours, we’ll cover the basics of the program, answer any questions you have, and help clarify if your startup aligns with our focus areas and goals.

New Jersey is a top life sciences and healthcare innovation hub in the United States, making it the ideal gateway for international startups looking to enter the U.S. Home to one of the country’s three largest life sciences clusters, the state boasts eight of the top 10 global biopharmaceutical companies, nine of the top 10 R&D companies, and over 4,300 life sciences establishments. With the highest concentration of scientists and engineers in the nation, world-class research universities, and a thriving ecosystem of incubators, accelerators, and funding sources, New Jersey provides unparalleled opportunities for healthcare and life sciences startups. Additionally, its prime location between New York City and Philadelphia grants access to one-third of the U.S. population within a day’s drive, making it an ideal launchpad for market entry, partnerships, and commercialization in the U.S. healthcare industry.

HMH is short for Hackensack Meridian Health. Hackensack Meridian Health is a leading not-for-profit healthcare organization that is the largest, most comprehensive, and truly integrated healthcare network in New Jersey, offering a complete range of medical services, innovative research and life-enhancing care. The network has 18 hospitals and more than 500 patient care locations, which include ambulatory care centers, surgery centers, home health services, ambulance services, lifesaving air medical transportation, rehabilitation centers, urgent care centers, physician practice locations, and a fitness and wellness center. With more than 35,000 team members and 7,000 physicians, Hackensack Meridian Health is a distinguished leader in health care philanthropy and committed to the health and well-being of communities throughout New Jersey.

The network’s notable distinctions include having the only #1 ranked adult and children's hospitals in New Jersey, as ranked by U.S. News & World Report, 2023-24. Hackensack University Medical Center is nationally-ranked by U.S. News & World Report in six specialties. To learn more, visit our website.