PHOTO: DEPOSIT PHOTOS
PHOTO: DEPOSIT PHOTOS
Matthew Fazelpoor//March 4, 2026//
The HMH Emerge Program has named three global health tech startups as winners of its latest pitch competition. The joint initiative between Hackensack Meridian Health and Choose New Jersey aims to help companies establish and scale U.S. operations in New Jersey.
Selected by the HMH Emerge board of directors, the 2025 winners are:
The board selected the companies for their innovative cardiovascular solutions. They will receive a combination of financial backing, clinical trial support, mentorship, internal piloting opportunities and business development guidance. The package aims to accelerate growth in the U.S. provider market.
The program also provides intellectual property protections as well as ongoing collaboration opportunities. The efforts help build on relationships formed with previous international winners.
“The three companies selected by HMH Emerge have packaged innovative products with aligning missions and values to address issues in cardiovascular health care,” said Ihor Sawczuk, Hackensack Meridian Health‘s president of academics, research and innovation. “We’re eager to witness the potential of these groups in the marketplace, while most importantly observing their impact on improving patient care in a clinical environment.”
“The magnitude of technological innovation and patient-centric focus presented throughout the competition has been nothing short of incredible,” said Bill Noonan, chief business development officer, Choose New Jersey.
A Hackensack Meridian Health is leading a soft rollout of the network’s generative AI agent to nurses. Read more here.
Sandra Powell-Elliott, chief innovation officer for Hackensack Meridian Health, leads the network’s Office of Innovation and Commercialization. She said that HMH Emerge is fostering new ideas and innovations that weigh both market and clinical value. This marks the programs second year since its inception.
“The discussions have been invaluable for all parties involved, and help our colleagues overseas gain a foothold in the American market,” said Powell-Elliott.
More information on the HMH Emerge Program is available here.