CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS NOW OPEN FOR THE 6TH ANNUAL ATA INNOVATORS CHALLENGE AT NEXUS 2027 ANNUAL CONFERENCE

WASHINGTON, DC, NOVEMBER 5, 2026 – The American Telemedicine Association (ATA) today announced that the Call for Submissions for its 6th annual ATA Innovators Challenge is open. The Challenge will take place at the ATA’s annual conference, NEXUS 2027, June 14-16 in Orlando. During a live pitch competition, finalists will showcase their novel solutions in front of a panel of expert judges, including leaders in healthcare, business, investment and technology. The submission deadline is March 5, 2027. Samir Batra, managing partner, HIP Fund, and Susan Solinsky, operating partner, Composition Capital; Kayne Anderson, are co-hosts and judges of the Innovators Challenge.

The Innovators Challenge brings breakthrough virtual and digital health solutions and proven care delivery programs to the attention of healthcare executives, investors, policymakers, and technology leaders who are advancing virtual care at scale. Whether an applicant is preparing to launch a market-ready technology or demonstrating the impact of an established care model, the Innovators Challenge offers a stage to tell that story.

“The ATA Innovators Challenge recognizes solutions that can make a real difference in care delivery, by enhancing healthcare quality, access, and outcomes,” said Batra. “We’re inviting partners, incubators, innovation hubs, health system research organizations, and early-stage companies to bring high-potential innovators and organizations delivering measurable results to pitch their solutions to industry deal-makers.”

Two innovation cohorts create opportunities to showcase novel virtual care solutions:

• Next Generation Innovators including companies advancing market-ready solutions or nearing commercialization can submit their solutions in one of three categories:
• Inside the Walls / In-Patient Care Solutions: Digital solutions improving inpatient care delivery, efficiency, and outcomes across hospitals, rehabilitation centers, long-term care facilities, and other clinical environments, including virtual care for isolated patients and underserved communities.
• Care at Home Delivery Solutions: Software-driven digital and consumer health tools that extend care beyond traditional facilities through real-time monitoring, personal health data integration, and accessible, personalized care at home.
• Femtech and Women’s Health: Technology-enabled, consumer-centric solutions addressing women’s health across chronic conditions, diagnostics, pregnancy and postpartum, reproductive health, and overall well-being.
• Clinical Innovators at health systems, hospital networks, provider-led innovation hubs, payers, clinics, FQHCs, community organizations, and their international equivalents can present their proven, scalable programs that extend care beyond traditional healthcare settings. Submissions must come from the organization directly serving patients or members; this category is not for early-stage concepts or vendor pitches. Programs should demonstrate:
  • Expanded access to care: Hospital-at-home, remote patient monitoring at scale, virtual specialty networks, community-based virtual care, and other models extending care beyond facility walls.
  • Measurable outcomes: Improvements in patient access, clinical results, cost and operational efficiency, workforce impact, or health equity.
  • Real-world implementation: Meaningful scale, maturity, and demonstrated impact beyond the pilot stage.
  • Collaborative innovation: Partnerships between care delivery organizations and technology partners to solve real healthcare challenges.

To apply for the Innovators Challenge by March 5, 2027, visit ATA NEXUS 2027 Innovators Challenge.

ATA NEXUS 2027: June 14-16, Orlando, FL

Shape What’s Next at ATA NEXUS, and collaborate with the clinical leaders, innovators, researchers, policymakers, and industry partners driving the evolution of care delivery. As the premier convening for the virtual care community, NEXUS connects evidence, real-world implementation, and peer collaboration to help organizations build, scale, sustain, demonstrate impact, and advance virtual care models that improve access, outcomes, and healthcare delivery.

About the ATA

The American Telemedicine Association (ATA), the definitive voice for virtual care, is the industry’s trusted community focused on expanding access to healthcare through innovation by advancing education, resources, and policy. Founded in 1993, the ATA represents the most diverse ecosystem in healthcare – including leading health systems, academic medical centers, payers, technology innovators, life sciences companies, and clinician leaders – the ATA delivers clinical standards, policy leadership, education, and evidence frameworks that accelerate high-quality, technology-enabled care.

ATA Action, a registered 501(c)(6) nonprofit trade organization, works collaboratively with federal and state legislators and policymakers to influence legislative and regulatory developments in virtual care. It serves as an affiliated trade association of the ATA, a 501(c)(3).