The American Heart Association (AHA) has announced the launch of a $75 million fund aimed at improving women’s health. Named the Go Red For Women Fund, this initiative will focus on startups that are developing solutions for various health issues affecting women, including heart disease, stroke, kidney and metabolic disorders, mental health, and Alzheimer’s disease.
While the primary focus will be on companies based in the United States, the fund is open to global opportunities as well.
The AHA plans to invest in Series A and B funding rounds, with initial investments ranging from $2 million to $3 million.
Total funding for successful projects could reach between $6 million and $7 million.
Founded in 1924 and headquartered in Dallas, Texas, the AHA is a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to cardiovascular health research and public education. The organization announced its plans for the Go Red For Women Fund in June, revealing that it had already allocated $40 million to the initiative and received an additional $15 million from a donor.
In 2023, the AHA established an investment unit called American Heart Association Ventures. In October of that year, it made a $1 million investment in MDisrupt, a company that creates an AI-powered marketplace for healthcare professionals to advise businesses on product development.
This new fund comes as part of the AHA’s broader efforts to address gender disparities in cardiovascular health. A recent report by the AHA and McKinsey Health Institute highlights significant gaps in understanding how cardiovascular disease affects women differently than men. It emphasizes the need for more research focused on women’s health issues throughout their lives.
Experts stress that including more women in clinical trials is crucial. Currently, only about 27% of participants in coronary revascularization trials are female. This underrepresentation can lead to treatment guidelines that do not adequately address women’s unique health needs.
The Go Red For Women Fund aims to change this landscape by investing in innovative solutions tailored to women’s health.
As the AHA celebrates its 100th anniversary, this initiative marks a significant step toward improving healthcare outcomes for women across the United States and beyond.
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