2024 Golden Ticket Competition
2024-05-02 17:00 - 19:30 (America/Chicago) | Pegasus Park, 3000 Pegasus Park Dr, Dallas, TX, 75247, United States
Calling all women leading digital health and medical device startups to the center of the country! Since 2019, Ignite has been discovering, connecting, and accelerating the growth of digital health and medical device startups led by women.
The Golden Ticket Competition marks the beginning of Ignite’s Annual Accelerator Program for women-led digital health and medical device startups. This event, based in North Texas, is designed to inspire, discover, and educate entrepreneurs in the middle of the country and provide them with early access to Ignite Health’s vast community of experts.
Winners will receive The Golden Ticket to enter this year’s cohort of entrepreneurs selected to participate in Ignite’s one-of-a-kind Accelerator Program.

Register Here

2024 Golden Ticket | Baltimore
2024-08-08 16:00 - 19:30 (America/Chicago)
Calling all women leading digital health and medical device startups to the center of the country! Since 2019, Ignite has been discovering, connecting, and accelerating the growth of digital health and medical device startups led by women.
The Golden Ticket Competition marks the beginning of Ignite’s Annual Accelerator Program for women-led digital health and medical device startups. This event, based in Baltimore, is designed to inspire, discover, and educate entrepreneurs by providing them with early access to Ignite’s vast community of experts.
Winners will receive The Golden Ticket to enter this year’s cohort of entrepreneurs selected to participate in Ignite’s one-of-a-kind Accelerator Program.

Register Here

Virtual Semi-Final Pitch Round I
2024-10-15 13:00 - 15:00 UTC | https://ignitehealthcare.org/event/virtual-semi-final-pitch-round-i/
Join us on October 15th from 1 PM to 3 PM (CST) for Round I of the Ignite Virtual Semi-Finals, where 6 founders from the 2024 Ignite Accelerator will pitch their innovative solutions to a panel of industry leaders, investors, and advisors. REGISTER HERE.
This round will be moderated by Accelerator 2023 alum – Asma Mirza, CEO and Founder, Steradian Technologies with participating founders including:

✨ Adi Diner, CEO and Co-founder, iFocus Health
✨ Christine Rohan, CEO, Vasowatch
✨ Kadambari Beelwar, CEO, Truss Health
✨ Lurong Pan, CEO and Founder, Ainnocence
✨ Mimi Kigawa, CEO and Co-founder, Zeph Technologies
✨ Sarah Lee, CEO and Co-founder, Relavo

We’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our esteemed judges, whose expertise and guidance help shape the future of healthcare by supporting these emerging innovators:
Laura Davis, PhD, Chapter Lead, Golden Seeds Boston
Amanda Ebbighausen Bernal, Managing Director-Digital Health, Accenture
Ezekiel Fink, MD, Physician Executive and Entrepreneur
Jay Goss, General Partner, Wavemaker Three-Sixty Health
Lurlean Hunt, Community Health Choice
Stephanie Madrid, SVP Strategic Development and Optimization, ScionHealth
Kassity Mai, Special Counsel, Cooley, LLP
Stephanie Rogers, CEO, Aetna Better Health Texas
Bryson Saez, Houston Angel Network
Josh Sol, Managing Director, Digital Health and Innovation, FTI Consulting
Bill Turpin, TMCi Advisor and Coach
Startups with the highest scores will advance to compete in the prestigious Fire Pitch Competition in Houston, Texas, on November 14th, where top-tier healthcare innovations are showcased.

Virtual Semi-Final Pitch Round II
2024-10-16 11:00 - 13:00 UTC | https://ignitehealthcare.org/event/virtual-semi-final-pitch-round-ii/
Join us on October 16th from 11 AM to 1 PM (CST) for Round II of the Ignite Virtual Semi-Finals, where 7 founders from the 2024 Ignite Accelerator will pitch their innovative solutions to a panel of industry leaders, investors, and advisors. REGISTER HERE.
This round will be moderated by Accelerator 2023 alum – Asma Mirza, CEO and Founder, Steradian Technologies with participating founders including:
✨ Andrea Ippolito, CEO and Founder, Simplifed
✨ Andrea Cubitt, CEO, Dionysus
✨ Sandra Saldana, CEO and Co-Founder, Alva Health
✨ Therese Canares, CEO and Founder, Curie DX
✨ Gabriele Niederauer, CEO and Co-founder, Freyya
✨ Bo Hood, CEO and Co-founder, Kid Tech
✨ Ashley Yesayan, CEO and Co-founder, OneVillage

We are grateful to our esteemed judges, whose expertise and guidance help shape the future of healthcare by supporting these emerging innovators:
Kyra Doolan, Managing Director, Texas Halo Fund
Valerie Bahar, MD, Associate Medical Director, Community Health Choice
Mitra Miller, VP and Board Member, Houston Angel Network
Bill Turpin, TMCi Advisor and Coach
Elizabeth Hoff, CEO, SOMAVAC Medical Solutions
Josh Sol, Managing Director, Digital Health and Innovation, FTI Consulting
Nick Pachuda, COO, Peptilogics
Barb Cross, VP Product and Strategy, Blue Cross Blue Shield
Tej Shah, MD, Chief Medical Officer and Managing Director, Accenture
Sara Brand, Founding General Partner, True Wealth Ventures
Jon Stevens, MD, Psych Insight
Zarrina Bobokalonova, VP Quality and Safety, Memorial Hermann Health System
Nada Hanafi, Founder and Manager, MedTech Strategy Advisors
Startups with the highest scores will advance to compete in the prestigious Fire Pitch Competition in Houston, Texas, on November 14th, where top-tier healthcare innovations are showcased.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn about the next generation of healthcare disruptors and discover new investment and partnership opportunities!

VIP Reception
2024-11-13
By invitation only.

Fire Pitch Competition
2024-11-14
Fire Pitch Competition

The highest-achieving innovators from the 2024 Accelerator Program receive an invitation to pitch live in Houston, Texas. These startups will now take the stage to pitch in front of investors, partners, and industry leaders—competing for prestigious awards and prizes that will help propel their businesses to the next level. Join us to hear these exceptional innovators pitch and engage in a lively Q&A session with our esteemed judges.

Register Here

Women Shaping the Future of Healthcare Summit
2025-03-26 17:00 - 2025-03-28 12:30 UTC | Hotel Viata, 320 S Capital of Texas Hwy, Austin, 78746, United States
Ignite is proud to host an exclusive, invitation-only event designed to bring together the nation’s top female leaders, innovators, and investors in healthcare. This two-day gathering will celebrate the transformative contributions of women shaping the future of the industry while fostering critical conversations on topics such as the impact of AI, advancements in women’s health, and the leadership required to drive meaningful change.
This event is designed for trailblazing women who are driving innovation and making an impact in healthcare. Attendees will include healthcare executives shaping organizational strategies, academic and clinical leaders advancing research and technology, investors championing female-led startups, and industry experts leading transformative initiatives.
Attendance is by invitation only, and we are now accepting applications from qualified individuals who share our vision for the future of healthcare. If you or someone in your network exemplifies the leadership, expertise, and commitment this event represents, we encourage you to apply. Learn more and register here.

Golden Ticket North Texas
2025-05-08 17:00 - 20:00 UTC | Pegasus Park, 3000 Pegasus Park Dr, Dallas, TX, 75247, United States
Join us for an inspiring evening as selected female founders present their groundbreaking digital health and medical device solutions to a panel of industry leaders, investors, and advisors. Winners will secure a coveted spot in the 2025 Ignite Accelerator Cohort—a gateway to unmatched resources, mentorship, and a thriving community of trailblazing entrepreneurs.
Secure your spot here!

Cocktails & Conversations
2025-05-15 17:00 - 19:00 UTC
Future Shock? The Impact of Today’s Headwinds on Healthcare Research & Innovation
Healthcare research and innovation are at a critical inflection point. From proposed funding cuts to NIH and Medicaid to stock market volatility and anti-DEI executive orders, a wave of uncertainty is reshaping the innovation landscape. These headwinds are influencing everything—from how research is funded to how new technologies are commercialized—and they raise important questions about who will be most affected, and what the future holds for healthcare breakthroughs.
Ignite invites you to a powerful fireside chat with a panel of leaders (working to confirm panelists now) who are navigating these challenges head-on:
Gianina Varea, Senior Director of Venture Development, Portal Innovations Chicago
Tom Luby, PhD, Chief Innovation Officer at TMC
Joseph Petrosino, PhD, Chief Scientific Innovation Officer at Baylor College Medicine
Michelle Stansbury, Associate Chief Innovation Officer and VP of IT Applications at Houston Methodist
Moderator: Ayse McCracken, Founder, Ignite and General Partner, Ignite Health Ventures
Together, they’ll explore how today’s environment is impacting early-stage research, innovation funding, and pathways to commercialization—while also highlighting the bright lights and unexpected opportunities that can emerge in times of change. This discussion will uncover how bold thinking, collaboration, and a commitment to inclusive innovation can keep healthcare progress moving forward.
Whether you’re building, investing in, or advancing healthcare innovation, this candid conversation will offer insight, perspective, and a renewed sense of possibility.
Secure your spot here!

Igniting the Rockies
2025-06-25 17:00 - 20:00 UTC
By invitation only:​ Join us for Igniting the Rockies, a powerful evening presented by Ignite sparking cross-sector conversations to accelerate female-led innovation in healthcare.
​Healthcare innovation is under pressure from market shifts to policy changes but disruption creates new opportunities. Hear from our panel of experts on how they are innovating during this challenging time.
​Featured Speakers:

​Elyse Blazevich, President & CEO, Colorado BioScience Association
​Elizabeth Burke, Director of Innovation, UCHealth
​Andy Draper, CIO, HCA Continental Division
​Linda Secka, Executive Director, Life Sciences and Healthcare Services at J.P. Morgan
​Moderated by Ayse McCracken, Founder of Ignite

​Together, they’ll unpack:

​How funding headwinds are reshaping innovation
​Where clinical and digital breakthroughs are being delayed or accelerated
​How bold thinking and collaboration can turn disruption into opportunity

Golden Ticket Northeast
2025-09-04 17:00 - 20:00 UTC | New York City
Join us for an inspiring evening as selected female founders present their groundbreaking digital health and medical device solutions to a panel of industry leaders, investors, and advisors. Winners will secure a coveted spot in the 2025 Ignite Accelerator Cohort—a gateway to unmatched resources, mentorship, and a thriving community of trailblazing entrepreneurs.
Registration is now open! Register to attend here.

Golden Ticket Gulf Coast
2025-09-24 17:00 - 20:00 UTC | TMC Innovation, 2450 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX, 77021, United States
Join us for an inspiring evening as selected female founders present their groundbreaking digital health and medical device solutions to a panel of industry leaders, investors, and advisors. Winners will secure a coveted spot in the 2025 Ignite Accelerator Cohort—a gateway to unmatched resources, mentorship, and a thriving community of trailblazing entrepreneurs.
Applications Open: July 14, 2025
Don’t miss your chance to ignite your journey and shape the future of healthcare. Stay tuned for more details!

Fueling What’s Next: Transforming Healthcare Through Collaboration
2026-01-12 11:30 - 12:30 UTC | Manatt Offices, 1 Embarcadero Ctr, San Francisco, 94111, United States
​Join us for a casual luncheon designed to bring together the people who power Ignite, NACHC, and Manatt. This gathering is all about connection creating space for conversations, new relationships, and shared ideas about the future of healthcare.
​We’ll kick things off with a short, informal panel featuring speakers from each organization (to be announced soon) to spark discussion and highlight the opportunities ahead as we work together to support innovation and community health.
​Come engage with expert leaders, deepen cross community connections, and help shape what’s next as we advance healthcare through collaboration.
Register here.

​Interested in joining us for another event during JPM week? Register for the Fire Pitch Competition here.

Fire Pitch Competition
2026-01-14 13:00 - 15:00 UTC | Marines’ Memorial Club & Hotel, 609 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA, 94102, United States
​Join us for an unforgettable afternoon as the leading innovators from the 2025 Accelerator Program take the stage for the program’s grand finale. Watch founders pitch their ventures and field dynamic questions from an esteemed panel of judges.
​Agenda
1:00-1:30pm: Networking Reception
1:30-2:50pm: Pitch Competition
2:50-3:00pm: Break
3:00pm: Awards Ceremony
Register here

​Interested in joining us for another event during JPM week? Register for Fueling What’s Next: Transforming Healthcare Through Collaboration here.
