MATTER
HealthTech & MedTech · Run by MATTER · Chicago, IL
Every field is checked against a primary source where we can. How we verify.
The facts
All fields verified Jul 22, 2026- Terms model
- Fee-basedYou pay a fee to take part in the program.
- Investment
- Not publishedMembership-based healthcare incubator, not an equity accelerator. Verified pricing (matter.health/join/startups, 2026-07-22): Flex tier $0/month (digital curriculum, knowledge library, member Slack); Select tier $400/month (100+ mentors, assigned executive-in-residence, fundraising strategy support, pitch practices, Chicago coworking/event space). No cash investment through membership and no equity terms advertised. Also operates the Paratus Digital Health Accelerator as part of the BARDA Accelerator Network (third cohort of 13 startups announced May 2026). Membership applications accepted on a rolling basis via the site.
- Equity taken
- Not publishedMembership-based healthcare incubator, not an equity accelerator. Verified pricing (matter.health/join/startups, 2026-07-22): Flex tier $0/month (digital curriculum, knowledge library, member Slack); Select tier $400/month (100+ mentors, assigned executive-in-residence, fundraising strategy support, pitch practices, Chicago coworking/event space). No cash investment through membership and no equity terms advertised. Also operates the Paratus Digital Health Accelerator as part of the BARDA Accelerator Network (third cohort of 13 startups announced May 2026). Membership applications accepted on a rolling basis via the site.
- Program length
- Not published
- Format
- Hybrid
- Location
- Chicago, IL
- Cohorts per year
- Not published
- Cohort size
- Not published
- Stage focus
- early-stage healthcare startups
- Sub-vertical
- Not published
- Demographic focus
- Not published
- Backers
- BARDA (Paratus accelerator)
- Notable alumni
- Not published
Terms notes: Membership-based healthcare incubator, not an equity accelerator. Verified pricing (matter.health/join/startups, 2026-07-22): Flex tier $0/month (digital curriculum, knowledge library, member Slack); Select tier $400/month (100+ mentors, assigned executive-in-residence, fundraising strategy support, pitch practices, Chicago coworking/event space). No cash investment through membership and no equity terms advertised. Also operates the Paratus Digital Health Accelerator as part of the BARDA Accelerator Network (third cohort of 13 startups announced May 2026). Membership applications accepted on a rolling basis via the site.
Get HealthTech & MedTech deadline alerts
One digest a week. Deadline alerts only for verticals you pick. Unsubscribe anytime.
Terms in plain English
MATTER is a membership-based healthcare incubator in Chicago, not an equity accelerator. Its Flex tier is listed at $0 per month; the Select tier is $400 per month and adds access to 100+ mentors, an assigned executive-in-residence, fundraising strategy support, pitch practice, and coworking and event space in Chicago. Membership does not include a cash investment, and no equity terms are advertised. MATTER also operates the Paratus Digital Health Accelerator as part of the BARDA Accelerator Network.
Who this is actually for
Early-stage healthcare founders who want ongoing community, mentorship, and Chicago healthcare-ecosystem connections on a monthly membership rather than an equity deal. The free Flex tier is a low-risk entry point; budget $400 per month for the hands-on Select tier.
Application windows
Startup membership (Flex and Select), rolling applications: Rolling: applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis.
Verified date not recordedSource
Compare this program
Put MATTER side by side with up to two others to weigh cash, equity, and timing.
Compare MATTERGuides that explain these terms
Plain-English mechanics, with worked hypothetical numbers.
More like MATTER
Sources
Everything above was checked against these, verified Jul 22, 2026.