Oct 15, 2025

Fundraising difficulties. Long development cycles. Navigating strict regulations. Trouble earning market and clinical validation. You name it, there are countless factors working against even the most ambitious healthcare startups. Still, entrepreneurs in this space not only hope to achieve something positive but to also tap into a growing industry. Health spending in the U.S. is projected to grow at an average annual rate of 5.4%, reaching $6.2 trillion by 2028 Good news is there are ways for healthcare entrepreneurs to access the mentoring and resources needed to get their startups off the ground. That's where the Mayo Clinic comes in. Rated the #1 best hospital in the world , in 2019 it created the Mayo Clinic Platform, a strategic initiative to transform healthcare by unlocking the potential of digital technologies, data, and artificial intelligence (AI). “It builds on Mayo Clinic's deep clinical expertise and trusted brand to create an ecosystem of innovators, partners, and solutions that can be deployed at scale to a network of hospitals and providers,” says John Halamka, M.D., Diercks President, Mayo Clinic Platform. To help fast track the development and deployment of novel digital health solutions that drive better patient outcomes, improve physicians' experience, and increase operational efficiencies, Mayo Clinic Platform offers two programs: Mayo Clinic Platform_Solutions Studio and Mayo Clinic Platform_Accelerate. Solutions Studio is a collaborative environment where innovators and startups can securely access Mayo Clinic's de-identified clinical data, digital tools, and expert guidance to develop, validate, and refine their healthcare solutions. Mayo Clinic Platform_Accelerate , meanwhile, is designed specifically to help early-stage startups speed up their product development and go-to-market strategies. While both programs share resources and expertise from Mayo Clinic, Accelerate is a defined accelerator program, whereas Solutions Studio is a broader innovation ecosystem. Getting digital health startups the resources they need Launched in 2022, Mayo Clinic Platform_Accelerate was designed specifically for startups that are developing digital tools, AI-driven insights, remote monitoring, care navigation, or technologies that address unmet clinical needs. “Healthcare is highly complex and heavily regulated,” says Jamie Sundsbak, Director of the Accelerate program at Mayo Clinic Platform. “Accelerators like ours provide startups with structured support, mentorship, and resources to navigate those hurdles—things that would be very difficult to do alone. They can shorten the timeline from idea to adoption and improve the chances of long-term success.” Each accelerator cohort runs for 30 weeks and provides startups with direct access to Mayo Clinic experts, curated curriculum, mentorship, and Mayo Clinic Platform's secure data environment for testing and validation. Participants also gain networking opportunities with investors, payers, and potential collaborators, positioning them for success after graduation. Startups apply through a competitive process and selection is based on criteria such as the clinical significance of their solution, the feasibility of their technology, and the potential to scale. They are evaluated not only on their innovation but also on their ability to execute and benefit from the program's resources. To date, more than 70 startups have participated across multiple cohorts. “The goal is to work with companies whose solutions can meaningfully improve patient outcomes, enhance the experience of care, and support clinicians in their work,” Sundsbak says. Building digital tech for the future Entrepreneurs who participate in Mayo Clinic Platform_Accelerate gain access to world-class clinical expertise, a rigorous validation environment, and the trust of a globally recognized brand. “Startups get the chance to test and refine their solutions in partnership with one of the most respected names in healthcare, which is a major advantage when it comes to credibility, evidence-building, and market adoption,” continues Sundsbak. The benefits are undeniable. Take OpenEvidence , for instance. Since joining Mayo Clinic Platform_Accelerate, it has become a major clinical decision-support tool used by more than 40% of U.S. physicians, raised more than $300 million in funding with a valuation in the billions, and partnered with top journals (like NEJM and JAMA ) to structure and surface medical evidence via AI agents. Another example is Delfina . Following its graduation from Mayo Clinic Platform_Accelerate, the company secured $17 million in Series A funding, expanded its pregnancy care platform across multiple U.S. states, validated predictive models (for risks like hypertensive disorders, gestational diabetes, and excessive weight gain), and worked with Mayo Clinic to ensure clinical safety and standards in its AI-based maternal health tools. “The vision is for Mayo Clinic Platform_Accelerate to become the leading destination for digital health startups worldwide—where companies come not only to accelerate their growth but to set the gold standard for clinical validation and trust,” Sundsbak says. “Over the next decade, we see it helping hundreds of startups, fueling the creation of breakthrough technologies, and ultimately transforming healthcare delivery on a global scale.” Click here to learn more about Mayo Clinic Platform_Accelerate and sign up today.