MATTER Groundwork Innovator Accelerator 2027

Applications are open for the MATTER Groundwork Innovator Accelerator 2027, an 11 week programme designed to help aspiring and early stage digital health entrepreneurs develop their ideas into healthcare businesses. Organised by MATTER, a healthcare innovation hub based in Chicago, the programme provides practical education, mentorship and opportunities to learn from experienced professionals across the healthcare industry.

Groundwork is intended for founders who are at the beginning of their entrepreneurial journey and need a stronger understanding of how healthcare systems operate. Participants will explore the business, regulatory and operational considerations involved in developing healthcare solutions, with opportunities to apply the lessons directly to their ventures.

The accelerator will select a cohort of up to 12 founders for weekly virtual sessions. The programme is scheduled to run from January to April 2027 and will conclude with an in person showcase at MATTER in Chicago, Illinois.

About the MATTER Groundwork Innovator Accelerator

MATTER works with healthcare startups, hospitals, health systems, universities, investors and industry partners to support innovation in healthcare. Its Groundwork accelerator focuses on the earliest stages of digital health venture development, helping founders build a foundation for creating solutions that respond to real healthcare needs.

Developing a healthcare company involves more than designing a product or identifying a problem. Founders need to understand how healthcare organisations make purchasing decisions, how clinical and operational workflows function, which regulations may apply, and how a proposed solution can be introduced to the market.

These issues can be challenging for first time founders, researchers and professionals entering healthcare from other sectors. Groundwork is designed to help participants understand this environment, assess their ideas more effectively and develop a clearer path towards building a sustainable business.

The programme combines expert led workshops, mentoring, peer learning and practical exercises. Rather than focusing only on theory, it encourages founders to use what they learn to strengthen their own healthcare ventures.

Opportunity Benefits

Participating founders can expect to receive:

• An 11 week curriculum focused on healthcare innovation and company development.

• Practical guidance from experienced healthcare professionals and industry specialists.

• Mentorship through group discussions, office hours and individual conversations where available.

• Opportunities to learn about healthcare strategy, governance, compliance, team development, design and market entry.

• Access to a peer community of aspiring and early stage healthcare founders.

• Opportunities to build professional relationships with leaders across the healthcare innovation ecosystem.

• Structured opportunities to apply programme lessons directly to their companies.

• Participation in an in person closing showcase at MATTER in Chicago.

The published programme information does not specify a stipend, cash award, equity arrangement or travel support. Applicants should review the official terms and conditions and make their own arrangements for any costs not explicitly covered by the programme.

Who Can Apply?

Groundwork is intended for aspiring and early stage digital health founders who are preparing to develop a healthcare solution. It may be particularly suitable for applicants who have identified a healthcare problem and are working towards a practical solution.

Potential applicants include:

• First time founders who want to understand healthcare innovation and business development.

• Clinicians and healthcare professionals seeking to commercialise an idea or innovation.

• Entrepreneurs from other industries who want to build a business in healthcare.

• Researchers looking to translate academic or clinical research into a commercial venture.

Applicants should have a clear understanding of the problem they want to address and demonstrate a serious commitment to developing their proposed solution. Their venture should be at an early stage where the accelerator's training can be useful, but sufficiently developed for them to apply the learning to real progress.

The selection criteria also refer to product readiness. Applicants should ideally have a functioning prototype or early proof of concept that can be shown to potential customers or users to collect feedback.

The programme is described as virtual first and intended to accommodate founders across the United States. The final showcase takes place in Chicago. The published information does not clearly establish whether applicants residing outside the United States are eligible, so international applicants should contact MATTER for clarification before submitting an application.

Programme Structure and Learning Areas

Throughout the 11 weeks, participants will explore the practical realities of building a healthcare business. Learning areas include the following.

Healthcare industry and buying dynamics: Understanding the people and organisations involved in healthcare, how purchasing decisions are made, and how a solution might fit into existing systems.

Compliance and governance: Developing awareness of the regulatory, operational and governance considerations that can affect healthcare innovation.

Business and company development: Building a clearer understanding of how to structure a venture, develop a business model and establish a foundation for growth.

Go to market strategy: Exploring how a healthcare solution can reach intended users and customers, and how founders can assess whether their approach is commercially viable.

Design and product development: Applying practical learning to a proposed solution and identifying ways to gather feedback from potential users.

Mentorship and peer learning: Learning from experienced professionals and exchanging perspectives with other founders working on healthcare challenges.

The programme concludes with a showcase at MATTER in Chicago in April 2027. The showcase offers participants an opportunity to present their progress and engage with the broader healthcare innovation community. The exact date has not yet been announced.

Selection Criteria

MATTER indicates that applications will be assessed according to several factors:

• Programme fit: Alignment with the accelerator's focus on aspiring and early stage digital health founders.

• Problem definition: A clear explanation of the healthcare problem or opportunity being addressed.

• Founder commitment: Evidence of serious interest, dedication and motivation to build the venture.

• Stage of development: Whether the business is at an appropriate stage to benefit from the programme.

• Product readiness: Evidence of a functioning prototype or early proof of concept that can be tested with potential customers or users.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should follow these steps:

1. Review the official programme information. Visit the MATTER Groundwork page and read the programme overview, eligibility information, selection criteria and terms and conditions.
2. Assess your venture's readiness. Consider whether your idea addresses a meaningful healthcare problem and whether you have developed a prototype or early proof of concept that can be tested with potential users.
3. Prepare your application. Explain the healthcare challenge you want to address, the solution you are developing, the current stage of your venture and your commitment to building the company. Follow the specific instructions and questions in the application form.
4. Submit the online application. Complete the form through the official application link and provide all requested information before the deadline.
5. Monitor application updates. MATTER expects to review applications and confirm finalists between late November and December 2026, with the cohort announcement planned for mid December.