'A passion for supporting innovation in the oral health sector'
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CareQuest Innovation Partners, a company dedicated to validating and scaling innovative solutions that enhance oral and overall health, just opened up applications for the SMILE Health 2025 program. The accelerator first got its start back in 2022, and it continues to connect oral health innovators and investors.
Katie D’Amico, vice president of growth and innovation, talked to Dental Bite about the launch of SMILE Health and what it is looking for in its 2025 cohort. -Carrie Pallardy
How did CareQuest Innovation Partners first launch the SMILE Health accelerator?
We first launched the SMILE Health accelerator in 2022 with the mission to identify and accelerate emerging stage startups at the intersection of oral health improvement, health equity advancement and medical-dental integration. These foundational values remain at the core of our accelerator today. As conversations around oral health and overall health continue to evolve, we have expanded the accelerator’s focus to address emerging challenges and opportunities in the industry, ensuring that our efforts are aligned with the changing landscape of oral health care.
How does SMILE Health connect investors and entrepreneurs in the oral health space?
SMILE Health creates an environment where startups can build valuable connections and collaborate on impactful projects with key industry partners, including investors. Throughout the semi-virtual accelerator, startups are given the unique opportunity to engage with industry partners who lead specific SMILE Health tracks and share a passion for supporting innovation in the oral health sector. This collaboration often extends beyond the accelerator leading to ongoing startup-partner relationships that continue to drive growth and success.
Over the course of four months, CareQuest Innovation Partners organizes events, immersive workshops and networking opportunities at major conferences like HLTH (October 19-22), where startups participate in curated, one-on-one conversations with industry stakeholders.
In addition to these networking opportunities, participating startups receive one-on-one mentorship and personalized guidance from industry veterans. This guidance is invaluable for developing data-driven validation studies with our new Startup Data Hub, refining business models and building a strong case for scaling technologies to meet market needs.
Following completion of SMILE, startups will also gain a six-month membership to MATTER—the premier health care incubator and innovation hub—to continue expanding their investor network and building their business.
Can you share some insight into the approach for the 2025 cohort?
CareQuest Innovation Partners and MATTER are seeking startups whose solutions may fit one or more of the following focus areas:
- Advancing accessible, equitable and integrated health
- Engaging people in their oral health
- Connecting chronic care with oral health
Our industry partners serve a key role in reviewing applications and ensuring mission alignment, and this year will be joined by our investors who will play a role in vetting potential startups as well. Participants will be selected based on a specific set of criteria, with all selected startup solutions aimed at improving accessibility, equity and propelling the integration between oral health and overall health.
Edited for clarity and brevity.
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