The Glendale City Council selected Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and Hero House Glendale to create start-up accelerator programs to “stimulate the growth of the start-up ecosystem in the city,” officials said Wednesday.
The council chose from 20 proposals, and unanimously voted to contract with Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and Hero House Glendale, according to Jennifer McLain Hiramoto, Glendale’s deputy director of community development. Each was awarded $500,000 over three years to create the programs.
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles’ KidsX Digital Health Accelerator will be focused on advancing digital health innovation for pediatric health and healthcare, Hiramoto said. It will be the first pediatric-focused digital health accelerator in the world, according to Hiramoto.
“Pediatric health services include the use of artificial intelligence, gamification, virtual, augmented or mixed reality, mobile apps, voice-enabled services and remote monitoring, among others,” Hiramoto said.
Hero House Glendale’s Gateway to LA program is not industry specific and will focus on international and out-of-state companies wanting to expand their product in Southern California.
“Glendale is ready to take the next step in establishing itself as a comprehensive regional hub for technology and innovation,” said Mayor Vrej Agajanian. “Our accelerators will further cement our position as such.
The accelerator program is funded by the city and a $1 million grant from state government. Accelerator programs support start-ups during early-stages, often through education, mentorship and financing.