2025 CUNY Public Health Innovation Accelerator
The CUNY Public Health Innovation Accelerator, the flagship program of Firefly Innovations at the City University of New York Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy (CUNY SPH), is a nationally recognized leader in scaling entrepreneurial ventures that address critical public health challenges. We provide innovators with the resources, networks, and expertise to develop high-impact, scalable solutions that advance health equity and deliver measurable outcomes.
Why Choose the CUNY Public Health Innovation Accelerator?
Our program offers comprehensive, no-cost support to propel public health ventures forward.
Here’s what distinguishes us:
Tailored, Expert Support
1:1 Mentorship: Personalized guidance from public health and business experts to refine models, scale operations, and address regulatory hurdles.
Strategic Consulting: Advice on financial planning, market positioning, and legal frameworks for sustainable growth.
Technical Assistance: Data-driven strategies from professionals to ensure evidence-based solutions.
Real-World Validation
Pilot Opportunities: Test solutions in real-world settings to demonstrate scalability.
Impact Assessment: Gather data to prove value to investors and stakeholders.
Iterative Refinement: Incorporate user feedback to meet public health and market needs.
Powerful Networks
Global Connections: Link to healthcare systems, government agencies, funders, and academics.
Investor Access: Direct introductions to public health and impact investors.
Strategic Partnerships: Collaborate with corporations and public entities to accelerate growth.
Skill-Building Workshops
Innovation Trends: Address emerging public health challenges.
Pitch Development: Craft compelling narratives for stakeholders.
Scaling Strategies: Expand into new markets with robust infrastructure.
Ongoing Support
Alumni Network: Continued mentorship and community engagement.
Firefly Collective: Access our Public Health Startup Hub for collaboration.
Visibility: Media exposure and industry networking opportunities.
No-Cost Access
Comprehensive Support at No Cost: Approximately $100,000 in consulting, mentorship, programming and resources — free to participants — ensuring financial barriers don’t hinder innovation.
No Equity Requirement: Unlike other accelerators, there is no equity requirement for participating.
Proven Impact
Record of Success: Alumni secure multimillion-dollar contracts, raise significant funding, and scale solutions globally.
New York City Advantage
The CUNY and NYC Advantage: Embedded in NYC’s public health ecosystem at CUNY SPH, participants leverage cutting-edge research, policy expertise, and healthcare networks.
To learn more about the accelerator’s features, click here.
Program Highlights
Duration: 8-week virtual experience
Mentorship: Guidance from seasoned entrepreneurs and experts
Weekly Programming: Presentations and workshops facilitated by industry experts
Technical Support: Optimize product development and operations
Networking: The Firefly Annual Showcase connects participants with industry leaders, funders, and health systems at the program’s conclusion
Resources: Business model refinement, customer acquisition, financial planning, legal guidance, PR strategy, and funding support
Post-Program: Lifelong access to a thriving innovator community
To learn more about the accelerator’s programming, click here.
Proven Results Since 2020
Since its inception, Firefly Innovations and the CUNY Public Health Innovation Accelerator have delivered transformative impact for our public health startups:
Supported 200 Entrepreneurs: Provided over 5,000 hours of mentorship and programming.
Multimillion-Dollar Contracts: Startups have secured deals with major healthcare systems.
Millions Raised: Funding secured to scale AI and digital health solutions.
Community Impact: Expanded healthcare access, improved outcomes, and reduced costs.
Global Recognition: Earned acclaim for driving innovative public health solutions.
Fueling Innovation at Scale
From Record-Breaking Growth to Bold Expansion
As Firefly Innovations prepares for the 2025 accelerator, the organization builds on a transformative 2024 that highlighted both record growth and also unmet demand. With support from principal sponsor and global consulting leader KPMG, Firefly Innovations implemented AI and automation to reduce program operating costs by 30%, while driving unprecedented growth.
Key milestones included:
A 50% increase in cohort size (12 ventures selected).
A 190% increase in supported entrepreneurs (29 total).
A 70% increase in pro bono professional service hours (over 600 total).
A 171% increase in programming provided to participants.
The 2024 Firefly Showcase, the accelerator’s capstone event, drew 3,219 live viewers—a 3,000% jump from prior years—connecting startups with funders, health systems, and collaborators focused on scaling cost-saving, high-impact public health solutions.
Despite this record expansion, demand outpaced the accelerator’s capacity — only 9% of 321 applicants from 35 countries, representing 133 public health startups, secured spots in the 2024 cohort. To address this gap, Firefly Innovations launched the Firefly Collective web portal in late 2024 as a National Public Health Startup Hub connecting nearly 9,000 public health practitioners, entrepreneurs, startups, academics, researchers, organizations, and students worldwide.
Building on this foundation, Firefly Innovations plans a bold step for 2025: every accelerator applicant, regardless of selection for the cohort, will gain access to Firefly Collective. This initiative provides resources, networking, and programming to help all applicants scale solutions, secure funding, and drive measurable impact.
By removing barriers and fostering long-term collaboration, this model extends the accelerator’s reach beyond select cohorts, ensuring all innovators receive support at every stage — paving the way for Firefly Collective, the Public Health Startup Hub, to drive innovative solutions at an unprecedented scale that expand access to care, improve health outcomes, lower costs, boost efficiency, and address systemic challenges for a healthier, stronger, and more prosperous nation.
Who Should Apply?
Mission-Driven Innovators: Entrepreneurs with prototypes or services addressing urgent public health challenges.
Growth-Ready Ventures: Startups poised to scale and enter new markets.
How We Compare
CUNY Accelerator vs. Other Programs
Wondering what sets the CUNY Public Health Innovation Accelerator apart? The following chart highlights how our program’s no-cost, no-equity-required model, comprehensive support, and unparalleled access to New York City’s public health ecosystem distinguish us from other accelerators, empowering entrepreneurs to maximize impact.
