Organization · Incubator
MATTER
MATTER is a nonprofit healthcare startup incubator and innovation accelerator based in Chicago, focusing on collaboration among entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and investors to drive healthcare innovation.
Overview
What MATTER does
What MATTER is
MATTER is a nonprofit healthcare startup incubator and innovation accelerator based in Chicago, focusing on collaboration among entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and investors to drive healthcare innovation.
How it participates in the startup ecosystem
The current public profile supports program host and community capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.
Operational profile
Organization status and context
Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.
- Operational status
- Active
- Organization type
- Incubator
- Founded
- Founded in 2015
- Approximate age
- About 11 years
- Structured capabilities
- Program host · Community
- Last reviewed
- April 2, 2026
What Incubator means
An incubator is a support environment for turning a nascent idea or early company into a startup that is more ready for customers, funding, or an accelerator.
Open the glossary entryOfficial channels
Find MATTER elsewhere
Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.
Capability profile
MATTER as a program host
Program thesis
MATTER is an organization focused on healthcare innovation, founded to mobilize a community of healthcare innovators.
Focus narrative
MATTER invests in healthcare startups and provides services that include startup incubation, corporate innovation, and community engagement. The organization focuses on various sectors within healthcare, particularly digital health, and aims to support entrepreneurs at different stages of their development.
Value and support
MATTER offers a structured, cohort-based program designed for member companies, along with various challenges aimed at fostering innovation in healthcare. They provide support for startups entering the US market and focus on addressing health disparities and improving health technology.
Format and cadence
- Format
- In Person
Availability
- Application state
- Not published
Focus and fit
- Stages
- Accelerator · Pre-seed · Seed
- Sectors
- HealthcareDigital Health
- Regions
- United States
Capability profile
MATTER as a community
Community overview
MATTER is an organization focused on healthcare innovation, founded to mobilize a community of healthcare innovators. It is based in Chicago, Illinois, and aims to improve lives, accelerate innovation, and advance care through various initiatives and programs.
Community focus
MATTER invests in healthcare startups and provides services that include startup incubation, corporate innovation, and community engagement. The organization focuses on various sectors within healthcare, particularly digital health, and aims to support entrepreneurs at different stages of their development.
Member value
Members of MATTER gain access to a structured incubation program, various challenges aimed at fostering innovation, and a community of healthcare innovators. They also benefit from resources that support their growth and development in the healthcare sector.
Membership
- Pricing models
- free
Format and cadence
- Modality
- in-person
- Schedule
- cohort-based
- Commitment
- moderate
Availability
- Membership state
- Accepting
Audience and fit
- Audience
- Founders · Corporate Innovators
- Benefits
- network-access and mentorship
- Program types
- incubator and community
- Selection criteria
- open
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed
- Sectors
- HealthcareDigital Health
- Regions
- United States
Community activity
Events and activity
MATTER hosts numerous events, including challenges and competitions that engage startups and corporations in healthcare innovation. Specific events include the Health Equity Challenge, Health Tech Innovation Challenge, Healthy Mom and Baby Competition, Pandemic Response Innovation Challenge, and Accelerating Innovation in Aging.
Common questions
What to know about MATTER
Upseed classifies MATTER under the Incubator organization type. Its current public profile includes program host and community capabilities.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
April 2, 2026
Known limits
Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organization described on this page.