SMILE Health Accelerator

SMILE Health is the accelerator that supports innovators who challenge norms and are ready to advance solutions that improve accessibility, equity, and the integration between oral health and overall health.

Apply to SMILE Health

Advancing Emerging Startups, Powering Innovation

Now in its fifth year, SMILE Health is a collaboration between CareQuest Innovation Partners and MATTER to advance emerging startups by curating connections to investors and customers, sharpening their value propositions, and supporting diverse founders.

Who Should Apply?

SMILE Health 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 proven concept which is in market or will enter market in 6-12 months.

Commit to roughly 4-5 hours/week for one month by participating in pitch rehearsals, networking preparation, and working sessions around investor/customer engagement.

Applications are open April 1 – May 13, with cohort selection in mid-June. Apply now.

For more information, visit our FAQs.

Already in market and reaching tens of thousands of lives? ACCELERATE may be a better fit for you.

Program Benefits

Dedicated Pitch Support

1:1 feedback & rehearsals to strengthen story and value proposition

Partnership Support

Mentorship and personalized guidance for curated in-person conversations at Demo Day

Pitch Event with Industry Connections

Present to medical, oral health, and investment leaders at a closed-door Demo Day pitch event

Non-Dilutive Funding and Future Growth

$2,500 non-dilutive stipend and streamlined application for ACCELERATE, to collaborate with industry partners and advance your solution

Program Timeline

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The most impactful part of SMILE was the networking. Being able to have conversations one-on-one with industry leaders and have them recognize that our solution is needed in health care and the oral health market, and find even more opportunities we can help solve together.”

Lucy Kosturko, PhD, Co-Founder, Social Cascade, SMILE Health Alum

Join Our Virtual Event

Join us on April 30 at 4 pm ET for an insight-driven event exploring the future of oral health, maternal health, and access to care — culminating in an overview of the SMILE Health and ACCELERATE innovation programs. Reserve your spot.

Leaders from health plans, provider organizations, and our innovation ecosystem will share insights and highlight collaboration in action. Designed with innovators and senior leaders in mind, this event is facilitated to surface meaningful perspectives and practical lessons learned from health practitioners and innovators.

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CareQuest is bringing unique and novel companies forward that are engaged in improving oral health for everyone.”

Lee Shapiro, Managing Partner, 7Wire Ventures

Industry Partners and Investors

We partner closely with mission-aligned industry partners and investors and are proud to have an extensive network of leaders that are engaged throughout SMILE Health, including mentorship and participation in Demo Day.