The American Heart Association has selected five finalists for its 2026 Health Tech Competition, a global initiative designed to accelerate innovations that improve cardiovascular and brain health. The announcement, made by the Association’s Center for Technology & Innovation, underscores the growing recognition that promising health technologies often face significant barriers to adoption, limiting their impact on patients and clinicians. By spotlighting these solutions, the competition aims to bridge the gap between innovation and real-world application.
The finalists—HEARTio, MEGI, MedRhythms, Seerlinq, and Vascudyne—were chosen from a record number of submissions worldwide. Their technologies range from AI-powered ECG analysis for obstructive coronary artery disease to bioengineered blood vessels that regenerate into a patient’s own tissue. Each finalist will present at the Health Innovation Pavilion during Scientific Sessions 2026, the Association’s flagship event, taking place Nov. 6-9 at McCormick Place in Chicago. Competition pitches are scheduled for Nov. 7-8, with winners announced Nov. 8.
Why does this matter? Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death globally, and stroke is a major cause of disability. Many innovative solutions never reach the market due to funding, regulatory, or adoption hurdles. The Health Tech Competition addresses this by providing a platform for emerging companies with clinically validated technologies and a viable path to scale. As Lee A. Shapiro, volunteer chair of the American Heart Association, noted, “Too many promising health technologies never reach the people who could benefit from them most.” The competition highlights solutions grounded in science and designed to improve care for people at risk for or living with cardiovascular and brain health conditions.
The implications extend beyond the finalists. By showcasing these technologies, the American Heart Association aims to spur investment and collaboration, ultimately accelerating the translation of research into clinical practice. The competition’s criteria—clinical evidence, scientific innovation, and market need—ensure that only the most promising solutions gain visibility. This could lead to faster adoption of tools that detect heart disease earlier, manage hypertension more effectively, or improve mobility after neurological injury.
Moreover, the global reach of the competition, with finalists from the U.S. and Slovakia, demonstrates that innovation knows no borders. For example, Seerlinq’s non-invasive cardiac filling pressure measurement could enable remote monitoring of heart failure patients, catching deterioration weeks before hospitalization. Vascudyne’s bioengineered blood vessels could eliminate the need for leg-vein harvest in coronary bypass surgery, reducing recovery time and complications. These advancements have the potential to significantly reduce healthcare costs and improve patient outcomes.
The American Heart Association has a long history of fostering innovation, as seen in previous competitions. For more context, see the news release on the Global health tech competition aims to accelerate innovation improving cardiovascular and brain health and the announcement that a Houston-based medical technology company wins overall global health tech competition at Scientific Sessions 2025. Additionally, the Finalists named in global health technology competition to advance heart and brain health provides further background.
For more information on heart health, visit heart.org and stroke.org. The original release can be viewed on www.newmediawire.com.
