2024 CUNY Public Health Innovation Accelerator: Now Accepting Applications! Firefly Innovations https://firefly-innovations.org, the premier public health entrepreneurship platform of CUNY SPH, is now accepting applications for the fifth annual CUNY Public Health Innovation Accelerator (the “Accelerator” https://firefly-innovations.org/firefly-news-updates/firefly-innovations-announces-launch-of-application-portal-for-2024-cuny-public-health-innovation-accelerator). Sponsored by KPMG, this year's cohort will focus on health equity, digital health, and the social determinants of health. The Accelerator will support at least eight ventures across sectors working to solve public health challenges across the world. Check out the full press release via Firefly Innovations here https://firefly-innovations.org/firefly-news-updates/firefly-innovations-announces-launch-of-application-portal-for-2024-cuny-public-health-innovation-accelerator, and see below for more information on joining this summer's cohort! History and Impact Originally launched in 2020 by Dr. Terry Huang and the team at Firefly Innovations, the Accelerator has provided over 3,000 hours of pro-bono professional services, coaching, and consulting support to 72 entrepreneurs from 30 ventures — 90% minority-led and 50% women-led — that are working to solve various public health crises in 17 countries. Through various programs, Firefly Innovations has engaged over 400 venture teams working to solve public health challenges and crises all throughout the world The organization also has a growing global network of over 1,000 entrepreneurs and over 200 public health and industry experts, funders, mentors and advisors. What Background do Ideal Candidates Possess? Participating ventures come from any sector and produce public health impact. Venture teams can be a nonprofit, for-profit or social ventures. Teams are made up of all backgrounds and disciplines. Ventures do not have to be in the health sector or be made up of health professionals to qualify. We strive to have a diverse collection of participants from various sectors working together. What Will Ventures Gain from Participation? Ventures will be immersed in a unique and global community of peers, mentors, industry experts, and investors through weekly workshops, presentations, consultations, coaching sessions, and individualized support valued at $25,000. Ventures will virtually pitch their public health solutions in a global showcase for the Firefly Innovations network of funding partners who have the capacity to invest over $1 million. Participants gain access to the tools, expertise, resources, and funding necessary to create and implement robust, scalable, and equitable public health solutions. Dates and Deadlines Application Deadline: May 1, 2024 Accelerator 2024 session: June 5 through July 25 Weekly scheduled workshops: Up to three hours each Wednesday from 10am - 1pm Weekly mentoring sessions: Thursdays at either 10am or 11am Global Showcase: July 25 How to Apply Although the 2024 application deadline is May 1, applications will be reviewed by Firefly Innovations on a rolling basis and ventures are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Click here for a link to the Accelerator application. (https://firefly-innovations.org/access-2024-application-cuny-public-health-innovation-accelerator)