Programs advance medical-dental integration and health care innovation amid rising demand for access, interoperability, and outcomes-driven health solutions
April 1, 2026 (BOSTON and CHICAGO) — As the health care ecosystem accelerates its shift toward whole-person care, CareQuest Innovation Partners®, in collaboration with MATTER, is advancing SMILE Health and ACCELERATE to scale solutions that improve oral and overall health. Applications are now open for both programs.
CareQuest Innovation Partners stands at the forefront of oral and integrated health innovation, empowering the industry to adopt and scale both internal and startup-driven solutions. By connecting startups and proven technologies with well-established organizations and industry partners, CareQuest Innovation Partners lowers barriers to implementation, reduces uncertainty for transformative solutions, and accelerates the path from innovation to impact.
Now entering its fifth year, the SMILE Health accelerator supports startups advancing innovation across dental and medical care. Interested startups can submit applications through May 13, 2026. Selected startups receive pitch support, mentorship, and curated connections to industry leaders. Industry partners include Abova, Altus Dental Insurance Company, American Dental Association, Apple Tree Dental, Cigna Healthcare, Colgate-Palmolive, Delta Dental of Massachusetts, Delta Dental of Washington, Dental Network of America, Glidewell, Heartland Dental, Henry Schein, National Network for Oral Health Access, PDS Health, Solventum, and Young Innovations. Investor partners participants include 7wire Ventures, Aphelion Capitol, BOLD Capital Partners, Dental Innovation Alliance, Equitage Ventures, Revere Partners, Seae Ventures, SpringRock Ventures, and Waterline Ventures.
ACCELERATE advances established, in-market innovation through real-world initiatives with startups and industry leaders. The program provides up to $100,000 in nondilutive funding, advisory expertise, and analytics support to drive measurable health outcomes, demonstrate business value, and position companies for sustainable growth and market expansion. Applications for ACCELERATE projects are accepted year-round and must include both a startup and industry partner committed to meaningfully implementing a 6- to 12-month initiative. For the first time in 2026, ACCELERATE is open to any startup with mission alignment and proven market traction.
These opportunities come at a critical moment. Oral health remains one of the most underfunded and disconnected sectors of care, despite clear evidence linking poor oral health to serious systemic conditions. For example, people with gum disease have a 28% higher risk of suffering their first heart attack than those without the disease.
Links between oral health and chronic disease management, maternal health, and overall health outcomes have intensified the need for scalable, integrated solutions. SMILE Health and ACCELERATE prioritize innovation that address oral-systemic connections affecting high-risk populations, enable care integration, meaningfully use AI to strengthen care delivery, and expand access to care including through nontraditional settings. Together, these programs are translating innovation into measurable improvements in access, care integration, and health outcomes — for all.
“At CareQuest Innovation Partners, we turn innovation into real-world impact,” said Katie D’Amico, Vice President of Growth & Innovation. “We bring together startups, industry leaders, and investors to scale solutions that expand access, prevention, and medical-dental integration. Through established programs like SMILE Health and ACCELERATE, we have demonstrated that when the right partners come together with the right resources, innovation can drive lasting improvements for the people and communities who need it most.”
Reflecting on the broader ecosystem impact, Steven Collens, CEO of MATTER, added:
“It’s been a pleasure over the past five years to partner with CareQuest Innovation Partners to advance meaningful innovation that improves health and health care,” said Steven Collens, CEO of MATTER. “We’ve seen firsthand how this platform catalyzes progress across the health ecosystem — accelerating startup growth and infusing innovation within some of the largest organizations in the oral health space. Any organization operating in dental or medical should take a close look at this opportunity.”
Join our upcoming virtual event, Building Better Care: The Future of Oral Health, Women’s Health, and Access, on April 30, 4:00–5:15 p.m. ET, to hear from industry leaders on the future of health care access, integration, and investment. Register for the event.
To learn more, visit the SMILE Health web page and the ACCELERATE web page.
About CareQuest Innovation Partners: CareQuest Innovation Partners funds, scales, and convenes transformative solutions to improve overall health through oral health. Together, with our ecosystem of leading industry partners, startups, and investors, we make health care more accessible, equitable, and integrated. CareQuest Innovation Partners is the for-profit subsidiary of CareQuest Institute, and they are joined by the shared mission to improve the oral health of all. To learn more, visit the CareQuest Innovation Partners web page and follow us on LinkedIn.
About MATTER: MATTER, the premier health care incubator and innovation hub, includes more than 1,100 current and alumni startups from around the world, working together with dozens of hospitals and health systems, universities, and industry-leading companies to build the future of health care. Together, the MATTER community is accelerating innovation, advancing care, and improving lives. For more information, visit the MATTER web page.
Media Contact Sara Ward sward@carequest.org