— INnOVATION AWARD · 2026
The Heart of Healthcare Innovation Award
Funding early healthcare ideas before the world sees them.
Healthcare is full of people improving patient experience, workflow, safety, comfort, accessibility, compassion, and care every single day. Some of the best ideas come from nurses, physicians, caregivers, patients, students, and loved ones sitting beside a hospital bed thinking: "There has to be a better way."
The Heart of Healthcare Innovation Award exists to help those early ideas take their first step forward.
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— What this is
An award for ideas that haven't been believed in yet.
The Heart of Healthcare Innovation Award was created to support
early-stage healthcare innovation
ideas that have the potential to improve patient care,
healthcare experiences, workflow, accessibility,
compassion, safety, or clinical outcomes.
early-stage healthcare innovation
ideas that have the potential to improve patient care,
healthcare experiences, workflow, accessibility,
compassion, safety, or clinical outcomes.
This award exists to help meaningful healthcare ideas
move forward during the earliest phases
of innovation — before traditional funding, traction, company infrastructure,
or industry access may exist.
move forward during the earliest phases
of innovation — before traditional funding, traction, company infrastructure,
or industry access may exist.
Some of the most meaningful healthcare ideas do not come from formal
innovation channels. They come from lived experience —
from noticing what could be better during moments of care, frustration,
compassion, observation, or hope.
innovation channels. They come from lived experience —
from noticing what could be better during moments of care, frustration,
compassion, observation, or hope.
AN INITIATIVE BY
Comfort You Can Feel. Support You Can Trust.
— THE ORIGIN STORY
One clinician. One observation. No prototype. No funding. Just the belief that healthcare could be better.
20+ YEARS
Seeing. Listening. Learning.
More than two decades caring for patients and noticing the everyday moments that often go unseen.
ONE IDEA
The idea came first.
Everything else was built one step at a time.
Everything else was built one step at a time.
TODAY
Making an impact. One observation became a healthcare innovation improving patient care across the country.
YOUR TURN
The next chapter hasn't been written yet. Begin
YOUR IDEA
Deserves its first chance. $5,000 Innovation Award To help the next meaningful healthcare idea begin.
Spongies Comfort Heart of Healthcare Innovation Award · Est. 2026
— Award details
What the recipient receives.
$5,000 Innovation Award
Unrestricted funds to help take your idea forward.
Recognition
Public recognition from Spongies Comfort and the healtcare innovation community for your early-stage thinking.
Spotlight Feature
Your story shared with the broader healthcare innovation community - amplifying your idea and your voices
Mentorship & Network
Potential future mentorship and network opportunities.
Support Taking Next Steps
Guidance on where your idea could go from here - resources, frameworks, and pathways for early-stage innovators.
A Vote of Belief
Recognition that your idea matters — before the proof, before the traction.
— Who should apply
Anyone close enough to care to notice what could be better:
Nurses
Physicians
Therapists
Technologists
Caregivers
Patients
Students
Healthcare staff
Innovators
Environmental services
Support staff
Family members
Community members
You do notneed:
An LLC
Patients
Funding
A startup
A traction
A protptype
Entrepreneurial experience
This award is intentionally designed for early-stage ideas — before the proof, before the plan, before the infrastructure.
— why this exists
Before the proof. Before the traction. Before anyone believes.
Some of the most meaningful healthcare ideas are born from lived experiences — moments of frustration, compassion, observation, or hope.
The Heart of Healthcare innovation Award exist to help those early ideas take their very first step forward - before the world has had a chancesee them yet
— TIMELINE
Key dates
September 1, 2026
October 31, 2026
November, 2026
December, 2026
— HOW THE PROCESS WORKS
A Simple path forward
Submit Application
Application Review
Winner Announcement
Finalist Selection
WHAT WE BELIEVE
This Award is about rewardingideas at the very beginnig.
Before the business plan. Before the protype. Before the traction. Before the proof.
BELIEFIN OTHER
BELIEF IN OURSELVES
BELIEF THAT ONEIDEA CAN CHANGESOMEONE’S LIFE
Every meaningful solution starts as an idea — and belief is what helps it become real.
— SPREAD THE WORLD
Help us reach healthcare innovators everywhere.
— APPLICATION OPEN SEPT 1 - OCT 31, 2026
Your idea deserves a chance.
Every meaningful solution starts as an idea — and belief is what helps it become real.
No LLC, startup, or company required
No prototype or proof of concept needed
No entrepreneurial experiance required
$5000 unrestricted grant - no strings attached
$5000 unrestricted grant - no strings attached
— FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
Do I need a prototype?
No. This award is specifically designed to support ideas in their earliest stages — including concepts that may only exist as notes, sketches, observations, or early ideas.
Do i need a company or LLC?
No. Applicants do not need a company, LLC, business structure, or startup experience to apply.
Can students apply?
Yes. Students who are at least 18 years old are welcome to apply.
Is this only for medical devices?
No. We welcome a wide range of healthcare-related innovation ideas, including ideas related to patient experience, workflow, accessibility, communication, caregiver support, healthcare technology, education, environments of care, emotional support, operational improvement, and more. Both physical and non-physical ideas are welcome.
Will I retain ownership of my idea?
Yes. Applicants retain ownership of their submitted ideas and intellectual property. Submitting an application does not transfer ownership rights to Spongies Comfort or any affiliated judges, sponsors, advisors, or partners.
Can teams apply?
Yes. Both individuals and teams are welcome to apply. If applying as a team, please designate one primary contact person within the application.
Do I need funding or traction already?
No. This award is intentionally designed for early-stage ideas before traditional traction, funding, proof of concept, or company infrastructure may exist.
— OUR JUDGES
Evaluated with intention.
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Katherine Stokes
RN,MSN Critcal Care
Healthcare entrepreneur and founder of Spongies Comfort, championing comfort-first innovation in patient care.
Healthcare entrepreneur and founder of Spongies Comfort, championing comfort-first innovation in patient care.
Katherine Stokes
RN,MSN Critcal Care
Healthcare entrepreneur and founder of Spongies Comfort, championing comfort-first innovation in patient care.
Healthcare entrepreneur and founder of Spongies Comfort, championing comfort-first innovation in patient care.
Katherine Stokes
RN,MSN Critcal Care
Healthcare entrepreneur and founder of Spongies Comfort, championing comfort-first innovation in patient care.
Healthcare entrepreneur and founder of Spongies Comfort, championing comfort-first innovation in patient care.
— Get reminded when APPLICATION OPE
Be part of what comes next.
Stay connected with the Healthcare innovation Award community - whether you’re a future application,support, sponsor, healthcare innovator, or someone who belives ideas matter.