The intersection of today's and tomorrow's digital healthcare.
Founded in 2015 by HITLAB and NYC/EDC with the vision of catalyzing and accelerating emerging digital healthcare technologies.
Catalyzing change for early-stage startups
Breakthrough bridges the gap between industry-leading companies and promising digital health startups that will shape our tomorrow. Selected startups receive:

Opportunities to develop strategic relationships with industry leading brands.

Zero cost to apply, zero cost to participate, no equity taken by HITLAB.

Refinement of key concepts and prototypes from healthcare professionals.

Design and implementation of a study to rapidly verify the core innovation.
We partner with innovative startups to spark change in digital healthcare delivery.
Through an annual application, as well as a wealth of unique networking opportunities, we open our doors to promising startups, with the aim of helping them overcome the hurdle of research and fostering connections with global healthcare brands who could benefit from innovative technologies.
Sponsoring Members Include:


Breakthrough bridges the gap between industry-leading healthcare companies and the promising digital health startups that will help shape our tomorrow.

Check out what our previous startups have gone on to do!
Our application process

Call for
Applications

Rolling Review
of Applications

Applications
Close

Final Review
& Selection

Innovators
Announced

Study Design
Development

Studies
Implemented

Final Study
Results
Amplify Your Impact on Global Healthcare.
JOIN TODAY TO:
Expand your influence and grow your network through exclusive events.
Access insight, industry trends and breaking news.
Receive clean transcripts and slides from all live events.
Accelerate your networking with VIP introductions each month.
Stay informed on the latest trends in global digital health investments.
Private monthly salons and exclusive digital health book author Q&As.
Our board members are from industry-leading companies

Wayne Talleur
Chief Financial Officer
FFF Enterprises



Jonathan Hahn
Chief Information Officer
FFF Enterprises





Mikko Baylosis
Project Manager, NYC/EDC
NYC Economic
Development Corporation




Pat Verduin
Chief Technology Officer
Colgate-Palmolive




William (Bill) Taranto
Founder & President
Merck Global Health Innovation Fund




Patrick Pilch
Co-Founder & Director
Healthcare Excellence & Innovation at BDO Global




Jim McGough
Co-Founder
Novartis Biome




Judith Dunn
Executive in Residence (EIR) Atlas Venture




Fernando Gomez-Baquero
Director of Runway and Spinouts
Cornell Tech




Guy Eiferman
Partner (Former Merck Exec)
Nextstep Health




Heather Cole-Lewis
Director of Behavior Science
Johnson & Johnson




Lauren Doolan
Venture Operations
Startup Health




Wen Dombrowski
Founding Principal & Chief
Convergence Officer
Catalaize




Harsha Murthy
Managing Partner
Consummate Capital LLC




Sean Dowling
Managing Director, Strategic Ventures
Northwell Health





Emily Kagen
VP, Digital & Innovation Strategy Northwell Health





Robin Roberts
Co-Founder, Managing Director – Head of Strategy Novartis Biome




Amy West
Head of US Digital
Health & Innovation Strategy
Novo Nordisk




Dr. Sheldon Elman, MD
Chairman & Co-Founder Esplanade Ventures




Shawn Smith
CEO, 1 True Health


What's Your Solution?
Accepting submissions now through May 17th, 2022 at 11:59 EST.
About Breakthrough
HITLAB Breakthrough Alliance was created to accelerate digital health innovations through evidence-based research and insights. This new digital health alliance is a subscription-based service with a mission to improve health outcomes and care delivery from verifying emerging technologies and research—driven by the perspectives and strategies of its members.
NYCEDC launched the Digital Health Breakthrough Network in 2016 as part of its broader efforts to facilitate growth in New York City’s healthcare and life sciences sectors. Now, HITLAB operates the program independently and continues to provide prototype testing services to the digital health ecosystem.