Despite major advances in care, nearly half of U.S. adults live with some form of cardiovascular disease or stroke, according to the American Heart Association. To close this gap, innovative health solutions must reach people where they live, work and play. At its Scientific Sessions 2025, the Association recognized two pioneering companies whose health technologies could help do just that.
Houston-based PolyVascular was named the overall winner of the American Heart Association’s annual Health Tech Competition, earning top honors in the business category. Brainomix of Oxford, England was awarded best in the science category. Both companies will be invited to join the Association’s Center for Health Technology & Innovation Innovators’ Network, a consortium that connects entrepreneurs, providers, researchers and payers to share and advance innovation in cardiovascular and brain health.
The Health Tech Competition is a live forum for health care innovators to present digital solutions for treating or preventing cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Finalists addressed clinical problems such as heart failure, hypertension, congenital heart defects and other pressing issues in cardiovascular, brain and metabolic health.
“The Health Tech Competition is like our own version of Shark Tank, showcasing groundbreaking innovations that have the potential to transform care,” said Star Jones, attorney, TV personality and American Heart Association national volunteer, who served as one of this year’s judges. “These technologies aren’t just promising - they’re poised to make a real impact.”
Solutions were evaluated based on three key criteria: validity (how well the working prototype functions in the market), scientific rigor (evidence-based health research), and impact (extent of improvement in patient outcomes through innovative technology).
The winning company, PolyVascular, is advancing minimally invasive technology to help children with congenital heart disease avoid repeated open-heart surgeries. “This is a tremendous honor for PolyVascular - we’re especially proud to bring hope to families and children living with congenital heart defects. Our technology - a minimally invasive valve that can be expanded over time to grow with the child - has the potential to dramatically reduce the need for repeated open-heart surgeries,” said Henri Justino, M.D., co-founder of PolyVascular. “The American Heart Association plays a pivotal role in advancing innovative care pathways, and we’re excited that our solution aligns with its guidelines and mission. It’s time these life-changing technologies reach the youngest patients, just as they already do for adults.”
A panel of expert volunteer judges also selected Brainomix as the best science pitch. Brainomix develops cutting-edge AI software that supports precision medicine, helping doctors make faster, more accurate treatment decisions for stroke and lung fibrosis.
This year’s finalists included PolyVascular (Houston), Brainomix (Oxford, England), Lumia (Boston), Noah Labs (Berlin), and Cambrian Health (San Francisco). The competition took place November 8–9 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans during Scientific Sessions 2025, the American Heart Association’s premier global event for advancements in cardiovascular science and medicine.
