--- title: Blog | press release description: press release | Stay up to date on healthcare news, stories and insights from across the MATTER community. --- # Blog #### Stay up to date on healthcare news, stories and insights from across the MATTER community. # MATTER Blog Stay up to date on healthcare news, stories and insights from across the MATTER community. - press release ## [American Gastroenterological Association and MATTER announce first-of-its-kind digestive disease incubator](https://blog.matter.health/american-gastroenterological-association-and-matter-announce-first-of-its-kind-digestive-disease-incubator) May 1, 2025 [![American Gastroenterological Association and MATTER announce first-of-its-kind digestive disease incubator](https://blog.matter.health/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/2025-aga-matter-pre-program-announcement-hero-blog-1600x800.png) ](https://blog.matter.health/american-gastroenterological-association-and-matter-announce-first-of-its-kind-digestive-disease-incubator) [New initiative will reimagine the care journey for people living with gastroenterological conditions May 5, 2025, BETHESDA, MD and CHICAGO, IL — MATTER, the premier healthcare incubator and innovation hub, and the](https://blog.matter.health/american-gastroenterological-association-and-matter-announce-first-of-its-kind-digestive-disease-incubator) [![](https://matter.health/assets/images/ic_right_arrow_blue.svg)Read more](https://blog.matter.health/american-gastroenterological-association-and-matter-announce-first-of-its-kind-digestive-disease-incubator) - press release ## [VSP Vision and MATTER Launch Second Innovation Challenge to Source and Advance Solutions Enhancing Eye Care](https://blog.matter.health/vsp-vision-and-matter-launch-second-innovation-challenge-to-source-and-advance-solutions-enhancing-eye-care) Apr 29, 2025 [![VSP Vision and MATTER Launch Second Innovation Challenge to Source and Advance Solutions Enhancing Eye Care](https://blog.matter.health/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/vsp-vision-care-challenge-2025-matter-blog-mobile-1600x800-03.jpg) ](https://blog.matter.health/vsp-vision-and-matter-launch-second-innovation-challenge-to-source-and-advance-solutions-enhancing-eye-care) [Finalists to be considered for investment opportunities by Topcon Healthcare, Inc. and a chance to pitch live at Vision Expo West April 29, 2025, CHICAGO, IL — MATTER, the premier heal...](https://blog.matter.health/vsp-vision-and-matter-launch-second-innovation-challenge-to-source-and-advance-solutions-enhancing-eye-care) [![](https://matter.health/assets/images/ic_right_arrow_blue.svg)Read more](https://blog.matter.health/vsp-vision-and-matter-launch-second-innovation-challenge-to-source-and-advance-solutions-enhancing-eye-care) - matter challenges ## [CareQuest Innovation Partners and MATTER open applications for SMILE Health, igniting mission-driven innovation with global startups, industry leaders and investors](https://blog.matter.health/carequest-innovation-partners-and-matter-open-applications-for-smile-health-igniting-mission-driven-innovation-with-global-startups-industry-leaders-and-investors) Mar 24, 2025 [![CareQuest Innovation Partners and MATTER open applications for SMILE Health, igniting mission-driven innovation with global startups, industry leaders and investors](https://blog.matter.health/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/SMILE-Health-2025-blog-hero-2.png) ](https://blog.matter.health/carequest-innovation-partners-and-matter-open-applications-for-smile-health-igniting-mission-driven-innovation-with-global-startups-industry-leaders-and-investors) [SMILE Health enters its fourth year with expanded support, including a new Startup Data Hub for startups improving health through oral health March 24, 2025 (Boston, MA and Chicago, IL) —](https://blog.matter.health/carequest-innovation-partners-and-matter-open-applications-for-smile-health-igniting-mission-driven-innovation-with-global-startups-industry-leaders-and-investors) [![](https://matter.health/assets/images/ic_right_arrow_blue.svg)Read more](https://blog.matter.health/carequest-innovation-partners-and-matter-open-applications-for-smile-health-igniting-mission-driven-innovation-with-global-startups-industry-leaders-and-investors) - press release ## [MATTER Selected to Lead the Digital Health Accelerator in the Next Generation of the BARDA Accelerator Network](https://blog.matter.health/matter-selected-to-lead-the-digital-health-accelerator-in-the-next-generation-of-the-barda-accelerator-network) Sep 17, 2024 [![MATTER Selected to Lead the Digital Health Accelerator in the Next Generation of the BARDA Accelerator Network](https://blog.matter.health/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Paratus-Launch-Announcement-LinkedIn-Twitter-Updated-2.png) ](https://blog.matter.health/matter-selected-to-lead-the-digital-health-accelerator-in-the-next-generation-of-the-barda-accelerator-network) [MATTER to support the development and commercialization of next-generation digital health technologies for preparedness and response to health security threats. September 17, 2024, Chicago, IL -](https://blog.matter.health/matter-selected-to-lead-the-digital-health-accelerator-in-the-next-generation-of-the-barda-accelerator-network) [![](https://matter.health/assets/images/ic_right_arrow_blue.svg)Read more](https://blog.matter.health/matter-selected-to-lead-the-digital-health-accelerator-in-the-next-generation-of-the-barda-accelerator-network) - matter challenges ## [The Healthcare Education, Research and Innovation Foundation and MATTER launch innovation challenge to advance health equity solutions developed by college students and early career professionals](https://blog.matter.health/herif-and-matter-launch-innovation-challenge-advancing-health-equity-solutions-developed-by-college-students-early-career-professionals) Apr 29, 2024 [![The Healthcare Education, Research and Innovation Foundation and MATTER launch innovation challenge to advance health equity solutions developed by college students and early career professionals](https://blog.matter.health/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/HERIF_blog_hero-2.png) ](https://blog.matter.health/herif-and-matter-launch-innovation-challenge-advancing-health-equity-solutions-developed-by-college-students-early-career-professionals) [Up to five finalists will be selected to participate in eight-week accelerator with the chance to win up to $10,000 April 29, 2024, CHICAGO, IL — The Healthcare Education, Research, and Innovation Foundation (HERIF)...](https://blog.matter.health/herif-and-matter-launch-innovation-challenge-advancing-health-equity-solutions-developed-by-college-students-early-career-professionals) [![](https://matter.health/assets/images/ic_right_arrow_blue.svg)Read more](https://blog.matter.health/herif-and-matter-launch-innovation-challenge-advancing-health-equity-solutions-developed-by-college-students-early-career-professionals) - matter news ## [CareQuest Innovation Partners and MATTER announce ACCELERATE, an exclusive funding opportunity for SMILE alumni to accelerate impact](https://blog.matter.health/carequest-innovation-partners-and-matter-announce-accelerate-exclusive-funding-opportunity-for-smile-alumni) Apr 18, 2024 [![CareQuest Innovation Partners and MATTER announce ACCELERATE, an exclusive funding opportunity for SMILE alumni to accelerate impact](https://blog.matter.health/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/MATTER-CareQuest-Accelerate-funding-opportunity-2.png) ](https://blog.matter.health/carequest-innovation-partners-and-matter-announce-accelerate-exclusive-funding-opportunity-for-smile-alumni) [SMILE Health Alumnus Grin is first startup to receive funding through new program April 16, 2024, CHICAGO, IL, and BOSTON, MA — CareQuest Innovation Partners, a company focused on validating and scaling solutions to improve overall healt...](https://blog.matter.health/carequest-innovation-partners-and-matter-announce-accelerate-exclusive-funding-opportunity-for-smile-alumni) [![](https://matter.health/assets/images/ic_right_arrow_blue.svg)Read more](https://blog.matter.health/carequest-innovation-partners-and-matter-announce-accelerate-exclusive-funding-opportunity-for-smile-alumni) - matter challenges ## [VSP Vision and MATTER Launch First Innovation Challenge](https://blog.matter.health/vsp-vision-and-matter-launch-first-innovation-challenge) Apr 15, 2024 [![VSP Vision and MATTER Launch First Innovation Challenge](https://blog.matter.health/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/vvic_hero_splash-0ded55-2.jpg) ](https://blog.matter.health/vsp-vision-and-matter-launch-first-innovation-challenge) [Up to five startups will be selected to participate in four-week bootcamp with the chance to win up to $10K April 15, 2024, CHICAGO, IL, and RANCHO CORDOVA, CA — MATTER, the premier healthcare incubator and innovation hub,...](https://blog.matter.health/vsp-vision-and-matter-launch-first-innovation-challenge) [![](https://matter.health/assets/images/ic_right_arrow_blue.svg)Read more](https://blog.matter.health/vsp-vision-and-matter-launch-first-innovation-challenge) - matter news ## [MATTER and KLAS Research form strategic partnership to support healthcare innovators](https://blog.matter.health/matter-and-klas-research-form-strategic-partnership) Apr 4, 2024 [![MATTER and KLAS Research form strategic partnership to support healthcare innovators](https://blog.matter.health/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/klasresearch-partnership-announcement-hero-2024%20(1)-2.png) ](https://blog.matter.health/matter-and-klas-research-form-strategic-partnership) [Partnership to provide access to third-party insights to accelerator development of MATTER member solutions APRIL 4, 2024, CHICAGO, IL, and PLEASANT GROVE, UTAH —](https://blog.matter.health/matter-and-klas-research-form-strategic-partnership) [![](https://matter.health/assets/images/ic_right_arrow_blue.svg)Read more](https://blog.matter.health/matter-and-klas-research-form-strategic-partnership) - matter challenges ## [MATTER and CareQuest Innovation Partners open applications for SMILE Health seeking innovators bridging the medical-dental divide](https://blog.matter.health/matter-and-carequest-innovation-partners-open-applications-for-smile-health) Mar 27, 2024 [![MATTER and CareQuest Innovation Partners open applications for SMILE Health seeking innovators bridging the medical-dental divide](https://blog.matter.health/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/2024-smile-health-hero-announcement-2.png) ](https://blog.matter.health/matter-and-carequest-innovation-partners-open-applications-for-smile-health) [In its third year, SMILE Health advances innovations that accelerate the integration of oral health and overall health to achieve greater equity and access and reduce the total cost of care](https://blog.matter.health/matter-and-carequest-innovation-partners-open-applications-for-smile-health) [![](https://matter.health/assets/images/ic_right_arrow_blue.svg)Read more](https://blog.matter.health/matter-and-carequest-innovation-partners-open-applications-for-smile-health) - matter challenges ## [MATTER announces second 51 Labs cohort](https://blog.matter.health/matter-announces-second-51-labs-cohort) Mar 12, 2024 [![MATTER announces second 51 Labs cohort](https://blog.matter.health/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Preview51labscohort-2.png) ](https://blog.matter.health/matter-announces-second-51-labs-cohort) [Ten startups selected to participate in accelerator addressing the maternal mortality crisis in the U.S. March 12, 2024, CHICAGO — MATTER, the premier healthcare incubator and innovation hub, alongside Health Care Service Corporation, Laerdal Million Lives Fund, BayCare, Parkvie...](https://blog.matter.health/matter-announces-second-51-labs-cohort) [![](https://matter.health/assets/images/ic_right_arrow_blue.svg)Read more](https://blog.matter.health/matter-announces-second-51-labs-cohort)