CareQuest Innovation Partners and MATTER have joined together to launch SMILE Health for its fourth year. The four month semi-virtual program connects diverse innovators with a network of mission-aligned industry partners who help advance your solution and roadmap.

Benefits for selected participants include:  

• Non-Dilutive Cash Stipend: Receive a $15,000 stipend without giving up any equity.
• Expert-Led Validation Studies: Tap into curated industry data and strengthen your business case.
• 1:1 Mentorship: Connect with industry veterans who provide personalized guidance.
• Custom Curriculum: Engage in immersive workshops tailored to health innovators.
• Dedicated Pitch Support: Workshop pitches to present to medical and oral health leaders at a closed-door Reveal Day and at HLTH.
• Ongoing Access: Gain a six-month MATTER membership upon program completion to continue building your business.
• Future Growth: Apply for ACCELERATE, a program that provides incremental funding to collaborate with industry partners on mission-aligned projects.

The 2025 SMILE Health accelerator focuses on three primary areas of oral and overall health innovation. Our virtual events offer applicants the opportunity to connect with experts during the application window.  

We are calling for startups that have built a solution to improve oral health and care outcomes for all people and want to advance it with a mission-aligned community.

The SMILE Health program is open to global solutions across all disciplines, and applicants must:

• Include an oral health focus or a potential use case to advance integrated health. The program has cross-industry representation and previous experience in oral health is not required.
• Demonstrate a validated hypothesis or preliminary proof-of-concept of how your solution addresses our focus areas.
• Commit to roughly 10-15 hours/week for four months by participating in mentor meetings, custom curriculum, and collaborative working sessions around validation.