The Rock Health Innovation Fellowship amplifies the work of promising, U.S.-based digital health innovators who center lived experience to serve underserved populations. Unlike traditional accelerators, our program prioritizes equity-driven leadership development and a robust peer community.

Over nine months, we facilitate high-level field exposure, connecting early-stage founders to a powerhouse network of leaders such as Erik Cardenas (Zocalo Health), Kristen Valdes (B.Well), and Dr. Uché Blackstock (Advancing Health Equity, Legacy). By fostering an environment for the exchange of high-stakes ideas, we empower fellows to navigate the complexities of fundraising, gain critical market awareness, and lead their ventures for lasting health impact.

Digital health innovations are uniquely positioned to transform how health needs are understood and addressed. However, existing digital health innovations have not equally satisfied the needs of every individual and community—particularly those that have been persistently overlooked and underserved.

At RockHealth.Org we believe that transformative digital health solutions often come from founders who know the problem firsthand—because they’ve lived it, or because they’ve spent years embedded in the communities most affected by it. Yet these founders often face difficulties in securing resourcing and connections to the networks that determine who gets funded and who gets to scale. The RockHealth.org Innovation Fellowship exists to change that.

• Monthly programming sessions focused on narrative, fundraising, AI strategy, health equity, policy, and growth
• Office hours with investors, policymakers, and digital health leaders
• A peer cohort of like-minded founders navigating similar challenges
• Access to Rock Health’s national network and flagship events, like Rock Health Summit and Digital Health CEO Summit.

We’re looking for founders who are:

• Role: Founder/CEO actively leading their organization
• Stage: Pre-Seed through Series A
• Location: U.S.-based, may include international operations
• Proximate: Your work is shaped by lived experience and community ties to the problem
• Equity-Driven: Solutions intentionally designed to improve the health of underserved populations
• Collaborative: Eager to engage with and learn from other early-stage, digital health leaders, reducing barriers to care

• Commitment to staying in your role for the next 12 months
• Participation in monthly virtual programming August 2026 through April 2027
• Joining us in San Francisco for Rock Health Summit (Oct 13-14, 2026). Event ticket and lodging covered by RockHealth.Org.

Applications open April 30, 2026, and close Tuesday, June 30, at 11:59 pm PT. Applicants will be notified in late July.

For any questions about the RockHealth.org Innovation Fellowship, please reach out to innovationfellows@rockhealth.org.