Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation

WARF Accelerator & Route 66 Ventures Cardiology Challenge Grant


WARF Accelerator Logo

Heart disease continues to be a major global health concern, affecting millions of lives and placing a significant burden on health care systems. Despite significant advances over the past half century in its prevention, diagnosis and treatment, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) remains the leading cause of death globally. By combining the latest advancements in AI, bioengineering, medical imaging and therapeutics, we aim to reduce the tremendous burden of ASCVD.

WARF and Route 66 Ventures, an early-stage venture capital fund, are partnering to launch the WARF Accelerator Cardiology Challenge Grant to identify and support cutting-edge cardiovascular technologies on campus.

Applications were due November 15.

Grant Details

    • WARF Accelerator will award 2-5 grants from a pool of approximately $100,000.
    • Proposed research should be completed within a year.
    • Project team must include a Principal Investigator (PI) at UW-Madison or the Morgridge Institute for Research.
    • A team of WARF staff and Route 66 Ventures will evaluate and select proposals jointly.
    • Route 66 Ventures receives no rights to any IP.
    • Route 66 Ventures will make mentors available for funded projects.

Cardiology Challenge Focus

We are seeking innovative projects that explore novel approaches to diagnosing, treating or managing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. These ideas could address areas across the course of ASCVD progression, including preventing atherosclerotic plaque formation, early detection of coronary artery disease and precision medicine for the treatment of patients after having an ASCVD event. Approaches can leverage AI algorithms, advanced medical devices and imaging or novel therapeutic approaches, driving toward the goal of significantly improving patient outcomes.

Example projects may include:

  • AI/machine learning-based tools applied to ECGs or wearable technologies for subclinical ASCVD disease detection, diagnosis and risk prediction
  • AI/machine learning-based precision medicine tools to support personalizing lipid-lowering or platelet-inactivating therapies
  • Innovations in imaging hardware and software designed for improved, speedy, safe and noninvasive detection of ASCVD
  • New devices or systems for percutaneous cardiac interventions
  • Biomarkers for early detection of ASCVD events

Even if your idea is outside of these examples or is in the early stages, we encourage you to apply. We are eager to hear and support innovative cardiovascular solutions.

Assessment Criteria

  • Scientific merit
  • Novelty of the concept (can include an idea previously disclosed to WARF)
  • Technical readiness
  • Commercial potential
  • Transformational impact on cardiology
  • Quality of the application

To Apply:

  • Individuals and teams should complete these questions and submit them as an attachment to your innovation disclosure. Please include “Cardiology Challenge” in the non-confidential description of your innovation.
  • Deadline for application was November 15, 2024. Awards will be determined by December 15, 2024.

Questions?

Contact Jeanine Burmania, [email protected], 608-960-9846

Note: As this is an internal competition, applications are not routed through RSP and should not be submitted via RAMP.

WARF