Five Companies Selected for Charlotte's Health Innovation Accelerator
Published on October 16, 2026
Charlotte’s health innovation ecosystem continues to gain momentum as entrepreneurs develop new technologies aimed at improving health outcomes, expanding access to care and addressing some of healthcare’s most pressing challenges.
A cornerstone program of this ecosystem is gBETA Charlotte Health, a free, no-equity startup accelerator program powered by genera8tor in partnership with the City of Charlotte and Advocate Health.
Hosted at The Pearl, Advocate Health’s innovation district in Charlotte, the seven-week program connects promising entrepreneurs with coaching, mentors, customers, corporate partners, investors and industry leaders to help bring innovative health solutions to market.
Building on the program’s inaugural health-focused cohort earlier this year, the fall cohort placed a particular emphasis on community health. The call for applications highlighted six priorities identified for the Charlotte community: access to care, behavioral health, chronic disease, maternal and infant health, social drivers of health, and community safety. That focus brings together the partners’ shared interest in strengthening Charlotte’s innovation ecosystem while supporting solutions that can contribute to healthier communities.
“Advocate Health’s ‘FOR ALL’ mission starts with a simple belief: Better health is built not only within the walls of healthcare, but in the communities we serve,” said Dr. Rasu Shrestha, EVP and chief innovation and commercialization officer for Advocate Health. “That means listening to those closest to the challenges and creating opportunities for entrepreneurs to build solutions grounded in real community needs. This cohort reflects that approach, bringing innovation closer to the people, places and health outcomes it is ultimately meant to serve.”
More than 50 startup companies applied for the fall cohort, and five Charlotte-based startups were selected: Carviq, ForesightCares, Global Bridge Pharmaceutical, Rethink Health and SonoVivo.
Supporting Charlotte’s Health Innovation Community
The selected companies are tackling community health challenges from different angles, with solutions spanning access to care, healthy aging, medication access, chronic disease management and new approaches to diagnosis and care delivery. Their selection also demonstrates the range of ways entrepreneurs can help address health challenges affecting communities.
“The City of Charlotte is intentional about creating an environment where entrepreneurs have the resources and connections they need to grow and thrive,” said Shahid Rana, director of economic development for the City of Charlotte. “Through our investment in gBETA Charlotte Health, we’re helping build a stronger innovation ecosystem that creates opportunities for founders, strengthens our economy and positions Charlotte for continued growth. We’re proud to support this latest cohort and look forward to seeing how these companies contribute to our city’s future.”
CEOs from the selected companies met for the first time at The Pearl on Thursday, Oct. 15, to celebrate the kickoff of the seven weeks.
Throughout the program, the cohort will spend the majority of its time at Connect Labs Charlotte, a wet and engineering labs space, with shared equipment rooms, well-appointed meeting and conference rooms and furnished office spaces. Connect Labs Charlotte is Wexford Science & Technology’s signature touch to The Pearl, as the district’s leading developer. This location places the startups near healthcare institutions, research organizations, and industry leaders across Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and the broader region.
This is the fourth cohort for gBETA Charlotte and the second since the program began its partnership with Advocate Health, with a focus on health innovation. Since gBETA Charlotte launched in 2024, the program has supported 15 companies that have raised $2.6 million and created 82 jobs.
“The level of interest we saw in gBETA Charlotte Health is a strong reflection of the momentum and opportunity across Charlotte’s innovation ecosystem,” said Amory Lenarz, program manager for gBETA Charlotte Health. “The caliber of these companies and the growing interest from entrepreneurs looking to build in Charlotte illustrates the depth of talent, resources and opportunity that exists here.”
Meet the Fall 2026 Cohort
Carviq: Carviq is an AI-native operational platform and mobile app created for house-call and mobile medical practices. The app supports scheduling, care delivery and operational workflows in the field so providers can deliver care more efficiently outside traditional clinic settings.
CEO: Dr. Trey Williams
ForesightCares: ForesightCares develops AI-powered solutions to make mobility assessment and remote monitoring more accessible and affordable for older adults. Its technology enables healthcare providers to track mobility, identify potential risks, and support proactive, preventive care through low-cost, accessible solutions, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
CEO: Mona Azarbayjani
Global Bridge Pharmaceutical (GBP): GBP offers a pharmaceutical marketplace platform that connects organizations in need with medication sourcing, patient financial assistance and access programs, and surplus pharmaceutical inventory. This platform helps reduce waste, improve medication access, and enable healthcare organizations to more efficiently manage drug resources.
CEO: Eric Sede Nietcho
Rethink Health: Rethink Health develops research-based programs that help people with musculoskeletal conditions understand pain and apply effective self-management strategies. Its first program focuses on knee osteoarthritis, helping people build confidence in movement and engage in conservative management strategies.
CEO: Melissa Boswell
SonoVivo: SonoVivo is a diagnostic equipment startup developing a system that accurately and noninvasively measures cardiac pressure. This ultrasound-based technology can relieve overcrowded cath labs, expand access to screenings and reduce the need for specialists in underserved areas.
CEO: James Drumm
Looking Ahead
The cohort will pitch their companies at gBETA Charlotte Health Fall Showcase at 5 p.m. on Dec. 9 at The Pearl. The event will be open to investors, mentors and the public.
Startup companies and founders interested in learning more about gBETA’s programming and resources or applying to a future program can visit the gBETA Charlotte Health website or reach out to Amory Lenarz at amory@gener8tor.com. Those interested in mentoring these companies or getting involved in other ways are also encouraged to connect.