The BARDA Accelerator Network Hub for Medical Devices and Diagnostics
This 12-week program will include interactive seminars covering the activities and steps to successfully take your innovation from ideation to market launch. After reviewing applications for alignment with the BARDA mission and areas of interest relevant to medical devices or diagnostics, I-CREATE will select ten teams to receive accelerator support services, including:
Tailored educational series with interactive learning opportunities
1:1 mentorship in areas including regulatory, quality, clinical, commercialization, and fundraising with seasoned subject matter experts
Access to vast networks of investors, development partners, and verification and validation service providers for technologies and teams at all stages of development
At the culmination of the program, each team will have the opportunity to present their innovations in a virtual showcase. They'll have the chance to engage with investors and government agencies and compete for a cash prize of up to $50,000.
Applications are now open for consideration for the 2026 Cohort and will close September 30th.
Examples of technologies I-CREATE is seeking to accelerate:
• Diagnostics platforms detection, continuous monitoring, and triaging of infectious disease and biological threats.
• High-sensitivity, high-specificity, low-cost at-home molecular diagnostics: innovative point-of-need diagnostic platforms for emerging infectious disease and biological threats.
• Alternative, simple and user-friendly sampling and detection approaches (eg. breath)
• Novel pathogen agnostic approaches to infectious disease and biological threats detection
• Low-cost, deployable diagnostics for use in rural settings
Selected companies will receive 1:1 mentorship in regulatory affairs, quality systems, clinical strategy, market access, and business development to position their innovation for successful fundraising and commercialization.
Entrepreneurship education combined with technical and business expertise will empower participants to explore customer discovery, financial planning, intellectual property strategy, product development, regulatory pathways, and go-to-market strategy—ultimately supporting capital readiness and successful fundraising.
This program will feature educational opportunities and a commercialization curriculum tailored to cohort needs. Cohort participants will also have access to virtual networking events where they can learn key components of the commercialization process, grow their network, and meet key opinion leaders.
