Business Details
14 Years
experience
Healthcare Innovation Accelerator in Louisville, KY
XLerateHealth is a nationally recognized healthcare accelerator dedicated to advancing life science and medical innovations. Founded in 2012, we specialize in supporting early-stage startups through mentorship, funding strategies, and commercialization expertise. Our team works with entrepreneurs to navigate the complexities of biomedical technology, digital health, and medical devices, leveraging a network of over 300 industry experts. Headquartered in Louisville, KY, we have cultivated a track record of fostering successful companies through tailored programs and strategic partnerships.Our approach emphasizes risk mitigation in high-stakes sectors, connecting innovators with resources to transform ideas into market-ready solutions. With a focus on long-term relationships, we provide ongoing support to founders throughout their growth journey. Our accelerator programs have earned recognition for driving equitable access to innovation ecosystems, particularly in underserved regions. Collaborations with academic institutions and federal grants underscore our commitment to advancing healthcare solutions that address critical industry challenges.
Services
Startup Acceleration
Mentorship Programs
Funding Strategy
Commercialization Support
Healthcare Innovation Training
Details
- Year established: 2012
Highlights and features
- We specialize in high-risk biomedical technology commercialization with expert mentorship
- Our national network includes 300+ healthcare industry professionals and investors
- We provide tailored support for startups through all development stages
- Our accelerator has secured over $3.25M in NIH funding for innovation programs
- We focus on equitable access to innovation ecosystems in underserved regions
Associations and certifications
- National Institutes of Health
- U.S. Small Business Administration
What people say
Strong mentorship network
Effective commercialization support
Valuable funding connections
Services
Startup Acceleration
Our accelerator programs provide structured support for healthcare startups through 12-week intensive sessions. Founders receive personalized guidance on product development, market validation, and investor readiness. The program connects entrepreneurs with industry experts and funding opportunities to accelerate growth.
Mentorship Programs
Access to 300+ healthcare professionals including clinicians, investors, and regulatory experts. Mentors provide strategic advice on commercialization challenges, intellectual property protection, and healthcare market navigation. Personalized support helps startups refine business models and scale effectively.
Funding Strategy
Specialized support for securing SBIR/STTR grants and venture capital. Programs include proposal development, investor pitch training, and grant writing assistance. Our team helps startups navigate federal funding opportunities and private investment channels.
Commercialization Support
Comprehensive support for bringing healthcare innovations to market. Services include regulatory strategy, reimbursement planning, and customer discovery processes. We help startups validate market needs and develop go-to-market strategies for medical technologies.
Healthcare Innovation Training
Training programs focused on healthcare entrepreneurship and innovation. Courses cover lean startup methodologies, healthcare IT, and clinical research commercialization. Partnerships with universities provide academic entrepreneurs with practical business development skills.
People
Jacqueline L. Wood
Strategic Healthcare Operations Executive
Healthcare operations executive with PwC, bringing strategic expertise to healthcare innovation and commercialization efforts.
Eugene Krentsel
Chief Scientific Officer
CSO with extensive experience in life sciences commercialization and strategic partnerships for healthcare innovation.
Mary Tapolsky
Assistant Director
Assistant Director at University of Louisville's Forcht Center for Entrepreneurship supporting healthcare innovation programs.
Marquicia Pierce Henderson
Director of Portfolio Commercialization
Director with expertise in commercializing healthcare innovations and managing portfolio development initiatives.
Cedric Francois
Co-founder & CEO
Biotech entrepreneur and co-founder of Apellis Pharmaceuticals with experience in developing targeted healthcare therapies.
Questions
What types of healthcare startups does XLerateHealth support?
We support early-stage companies in biomedical technology, medical devices, digital health, and life sciences with minimum viable products.
How long is the accelerator program?
Our core program is a 12-week intensive accelerator with ongoing support available through our network.
Do you provide funding directly to startups?
We help startups secure funding through grants, SBIR/STTR programs, and investor connections rather than direct investment.
What geographic areas do you serve?
While headquartered in Louisville, KY, we operate nationally with specific programs in Flint, MI and the Southeastern US.
How are mentorship opportunities structured?
Startups receive personalized mentorship from our network of 300+ healthcare professionals through scheduled sessions and ongoing support.
What makes XLerateHealth different from other accelerators?
We specialize in high-risk biomedical technologies and have deep expertise in commercializing complex healthcare innovations.
